Andrey “Drey” Khabursky

Drey hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana, USA.

Nationality: Ukrainian (U.S. citizen). Occupation: Residence Manager at Heritage Christian Services where we serve individuals with unique physical and cognitive needs. Missions with C4C: Peru 2014.

How long have you climbed? If you count tree climbing as a start then this would take us back to elementary school. Around the city we would find things to climb; from hiking trails in local and state parks to the sandy face of Linear Park or Chimney Bluff. I’ve climbed a little here and there. More recently a lot of my climbing has taken me to the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. Type of climbing you do: Hiking, trekking, mountaineering, snowshoeing, and I’ve done some rock climbing. Highlight of climbing career: Mountaineering the trails and switchbacks of Glacier National Park in Montana in July 2012 to reach the indescribable beauty that His fingertips created with snow-covered glaciers that you can trek onto.

How long have you been a Christian? I have been a Christian for my whole life, being blessed and brought up in a Christian home with those values and morals instilled in me. Seeing Christ lived out in my family and those closest and dearest to me really gave me a hunger and thirst for Him young. Now it’s personal! Type of ministry you are blessed to serve in: Serving those with unique needs at Heritage Christian Services as well as supporting the staff on my team and across the agency. From opening meetings with prayer, to sharing my “God moments” here and there to relating current events to the Bible and bringing God into the discussion, it’s proven to be a ministry in itself as I share the Good News with those not yet following Christ.

Favorite Scripture verse (and why): 1 John 4:4. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (NKJV). I find and share so much peace and power in this verse. I have read it dozens upon dozens of times, but it recently changed my entire outlook on life and my Christian walk. It is so reassuring that God wants such a deep, intimate and personal relationship with each of His children and has done this through His Son, Jesus, so that we may “house” the living and true God inside of us, and yet, we are able to accomplish this as “little children.” This verse has absolutely changed my life.

Special “God moment” you'd like to share: We all experience life in many different respects. For me, one of my “God moments” was when it seemed like I was weak and vulnerable. Our family had just, literally, laid to rest our pastor at the time and as we returned from the service we got news of my brother Roma’s tragic death. This was a double hit for all of us, and this was something that no one in my family expected. From one grieving process to the next we went, but the LORD was there with us along this journey. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 12:9, which states that “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Through the next season He would mend, heal, STRENGTHEN, and love on each of us to build us up stronger than we were before and ultimately give us closure with the Words Jesus spoke, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

What does Climbing For Christ mean to you? This means so many different things – from supporting a child in Nepal (through Project 1:27) to praying for local, national and international doors to be opened. From praying for those serving Christ and Christians in their region of the world to being able to take His Gospel to the nations. Climbing for Christ is a new dimension to being a servant and follower of Christ.