Join Erick Stakelbeck on Stakelbeck Tonight as he delves into the harrowing stories of Joseph Bondarenko, a persecuted preacher in the Soviet Union, and Pastor Son in South Korea. Facing brutal persecution and imprisonment, these brave men stood firm in their faith, inspiring others to persevere. As the West grapples with rising threats to religious freedom, Stakelbeck warns of the dangers of complacency and the urgent need to stand strong in the face of opposition. With powerful testimonies and warnings from those who have experienced tyranny firsthand, Stakelbeck Tonight is a gripping call to defend faith in the midst of darkness.
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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: January 7, 2026 | Stakelbeck Tonight | January 7, 2026
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:00:17.507 --> 00:00:19.142
- I'm erick stakelbeck.
- 00:00:19.142 --> 00:00:20.243
- And as we move into 2026, i want you to
- 00:00:20.243 --> 00:00:24.114
- Consider this number right now, over 380 million
- 00:00:24.114 --> 00:00:29.352
- Christians are suffering persecution around the world.
- 00:00:29.352 --> 00:00:33.189
- That's one out of every seven followers of jesus
- 00:00:33.189 --> 00:00:36.659
- Facing discrimination and persecution for their faith.
- 00:00:36.659 --> 00:00:40.697
- In places like nigeria, iran, china and north korea.
- 00:00:40.697 --> 00:00:44.100
- Christians are tortured, killed, thrown in prison.
- 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:48.037
- But this epidemic doesn't
- 00:00:48.037 --> 00:00:49.472
- Only happen in muslim and communist countries.
- 00:00:49.472 --> 00:00:52.575
- Right here in the west.
- 00:00:52.575 --> 00:00:53.843
- We are seeing an increase in discrimination against bible
- 00:00:53.843 --> 00:00:57.413
- Believing christians.
- 00:00:57.413 --> 00:00:58.715
- Now, it doesn't look like what is happening in, say, nigeria.
- 00:00:58.715 --> 00:01:02.252
- It's not violent persecution.
- 00:01:02.252 --> 00:01:04.621
- But in places like western europe,
- 00:01:04.621 --> 00:01:06.723
- Things are trending in a dangerous direction.
- 00:01:06.723 --> 00:01:09.959
- Police preventing christians from sharing the gospel
- 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:13.062
- In public.
- 00:01:13.062 --> 00:01:14.063
- Hate speech charges against anyone who dares
- 00:01:14.063 --> 00:01:16.733
- Proclaim biblical truth about human sexuality.
- 00:01:16.733 --> 00:01:20.603
- Threats from the left against those who defend the unborn.
- 00:01:20.603 --> 00:01:24.240
- Threats from radical islamists
- 00:01:24.240 --> 00:01:26.075
- Who are making aggressive inroads throughout europe.
- 00:01:26.075 --> 00:01:29.479
- It's the same story in canada and australia.
- 00:01:29.479 --> 00:01:32.749
- Under president trump,
- 00:01:32.749 --> 00:01:33.950
- The united states is pushing back against this trend
- 00:01:33.950 --> 00:01:37.020
- And is defending christians in every walk of life
- 00:01:37.020 --> 00:01:39.856
- While holding the persecutors accountable.
- 00:01:39.856 --> 00:01:42.859
- But the rest of the
- 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:43.960
- So-called free world is increasingly not very free
- 00:01:43.960 --> 00:01:48.031
- When it comes to bible believing christians.
- 00:01:48.031 --> 00:01:51.100
- Take south korea.
- 00:01:51.100 --> 00:01:52.535
- It's a u.s.
- 00:01:52.535 --> 00:01:53.336
- Ally that's home to many churches
- 00:01:53.336 --> 00:01:55.305
- And a significant christian population.
- 00:01:55.305 --> 00:01:57.974
- But south korea's new left wing government is on the move.
- 00:01:57.974 --> 00:02:02.312
- A courageous south korean pastor named yoon bo son
- 00:02:02.312 --> 00:02:05.882
- Is currently sitting in jail.
- 00:02:05.882 --> 00:02:07.917
- Not for violence, not for corruption,
- 00:02:07.917 --> 00:02:10.587
- But for preaching biblical truth,
- 00:02:10.587 --> 00:02:12.922
- Standing against radical gender ideology,
- 00:02:12.922 --> 00:02:16.192
- And refusing to bow to government pressure.
- 00:02:16.192 --> 00:02:19.295
- It's a case that's drawn international attention.
- 00:02:19.295 --> 00:02:22.265
- Just two days before he was assassinated.
- 00:02:22.265 --> 00:02:25.034
- Turning point usa founder charlie kirk met with pastor sun
- 00:02:25.034 --> 00:02:28.538
- And vowed to make sure the world knew about what was happening
- 00:02:28.538 --> 00:02:32.442
- In south korea.
- 00:02:32.442 --> 00:02:33.810
- Chan sung was able to share his father's story
- 00:02:33.810 --> 00:02:36.512
- At turning point annual and fest event last month.
- 00:02:36.512 --> 00:02:39.749
- And he joined me there to discuss
- 00:02:39.749 --> 00:02:41.451
- How his father was arrested.
- 00:02:41.451 --> 00:02:43.186
- Why churches in south korea are being raided,
- 00:02:43.186 --> 00:02:46.222
- And what the body of christ must do right now.
- 00:02:46.222 --> 00:02:49.459
- Take a look.
- 00:02:49.792 --> 00:02:51.961
- Chance.
- 00:02:52.195 --> 00:02:53.029
- Thank you so much for joining us.
- 00:02:53.029 --> 00:02:54.230
- We are here at the am fest, annual summit turning point.
- 00:02:54.230 --> 00:02:57.867
- Obviously, charlie kirk, the founder.
- 00:02:57.867 --> 00:02:59.602
- His memory is legacy is felt everywhere.
- 00:02:59.602 --> 00:03:01.971
- And charlie had a very dear spot in his heart for your father.
- 00:03:01.971 --> 00:03:06.542
- And they were growing
- 00:03:06.542 --> 00:03:07.610
- Close in the days before charlie's assassination.
- 00:03:07.610 --> 00:03:10.613
- Tell us why.
- 00:03:10.613 --> 00:03:11.948
- Tell us why that connection was made.
- 00:03:11.948 --> 00:03:13.583
- And the challenge is your father,
- 00:03:13.583 --> 00:03:15.018
- Who runs a great church in south korea,
- 00:03:15.018 --> 00:03:17.520
- Has faced in a place that many might be surprised
- 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:20.990
- To learn serious issues with religious freedom right now
- 00:03:20.990 --> 00:03:24.227
- In south korea, which is an american ally.
- 00:03:24.227 --> 00:03:27.397
- Yeah.
- 00:03:27.397 --> 00:03:28.631
- So september 6th, the saturday before charlie got assassinated,
- 00:03:28.631 --> 00:03:32.001
- He was in korea for the last international visit,
- 00:03:32.001 --> 00:03:35.238
- Before got assassinated.
- 00:03:35.238 --> 00:03:36.706
- And, two days after that was going to be a restaurant review.
- 00:03:36.706 --> 00:03:40.443
- And my father shared that to charlie kirk.
- 00:03:40.443 --> 00:03:44.213
- In the backstage, they briefly met for 20 minutes.
- 00:03:44.213 --> 00:03:47.317
- And when charlie,
- 00:03:47.317 --> 00:03:49.319
- Heard about that news, he made sure he is sure to share
- 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:52.522
- That news to all americans and even to the secretary.
- 00:03:52.522 --> 00:03:55.858
- Rubio.
- 00:03:55.858 --> 00:03:56.793
- So, yeah, if my father gets arrested and,
- 00:03:56.793 --> 00:04:00.063
- The week after, a few days after that,
- 00:04:00.063 --> 00:04:03.032
- Charlie got assassinated.
- 00:04:03.032 --> 00:04:05.101
- Assassinated in utah.
- 00:04:05.101 --> 00:04:06.703
- And your father was arrested, by the way.
- 00:04:06.703 --> 00:04:08.504
- Yes. and he's still in jail now, first of all,
- 00:04:08.504 --> 00:04:12.542
- Tell us how this happened.
- 00:04:12.542 --> 00:04:13.943
- Look, south korea,
- 00:04:13.943 --> 00:04:15.178
- I think many americans say, well, south korea, it's an ally.
- 00:04:15.178 --> 00:04:17.580
- It's a free nation.
- 00:04:17.580 --> 00:04:18.948
- There's many megachurches there.
- 00:04:18.948 --> 00:04:20.283
- There's a lot of churches in general in south korea
- 00:04:20.283 --> 00:04:23.152
- That your father, who's a great pastor of a great church
- 00:04:23.152 --> 00:04:25.488
- In south korea, gets arrested, a christian pastor.
- 00:04:25.488 --> 00:04:29.025
- What all led to this?
- 00:04:29.025 --> 00:04:31.194
- Yeah.
- 00:04:31.427 --> 00:04:32.495
- So the main reason for the very reason is election
- 00:04:32.495 --> 00:04:35.098
- Law violation is because my father criticized,
- 00:04:35.098 --> 00:04:39.035
- Presidential candidate for promising to appoint 30%
- 00:04:39.035 --> 00:04:42.305
- Of the public sector positions for sexual minorities
- 00:04:42.305 --> 00:04:46.109
- And also criticizing a candidate for superintendent
- 00:04:46.109 --> 00:04:49.612
- Of education in pusan for pushing lgbtq,
- 00:04:49.612 --> 00:04:54.016
- Ideology and also wokeism into schools.
- 00:04:54.016 --> 00:04:56.953
- And because of that, my father violate the law and
- 00:04:56.953 --> 00:04:59.989
- And the democrats have been trying their best
- 00:04:59.989 --> 00:05:01.991
- To weaponize the law.
- 00:05:01.991 --> 00:05:03.626
- And spoke against this madness.
- 00:05:03.626 --> 00:05:05.661
- Yes, the woke ism in south korea.
- 00:05:05.661 --> 00:05:07.997
- Yes, the pro lgbtq nonsense.
- 00:05:07.997 --> 00:05:10.967
- And your father,
- 00:05:10.967 --> 00:05:12.168
- From a christian biblical perspective spoke out against it
- 00:05:12.168 --> 00:05:14.370
- And he ended up in jail for that.
- 00:05:14.370 --> 00:05:16.272
- Yeah, because my father has been a
- 00:05:16.272 --> 00:05:17.874
- Biggest threat to the democrats and, liberal government,
- 00:05:17.874 --> 00:05:21.944
- Because
- 00:05:21.944 --> 00:05:23.279
- When we go back to the covid lockdown in 20 20th december,
- 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:28.050
- The korean government that was ran by the democrat government,
- 00:05:28.050 --> 00:05:31.354
- Under administration moon.
- 00:05:31.354 --> 00:05:34.056
- But who is basically korean version of barack obama?
- 00:05:34.056 --> 00:05:36.759
- They they said, worship is not essential.
- 00:05:37.627 --> 00:05:41.564
- However, my father, of course, didn't comply with that.
- 00:05:41.564 --> 00:05:44.367
- And seguro church, where my father's a senior
- 00:05:44.367 --> 00:05:47.570
- Pastor at in pusan,
- 00:05:47.570 --> 00:05:48.971
- Was the only a megachurch that did a surrender worship
- 00:05:48.971 --> 00:05:52.108
- That fought against the government.
- 00:05:52.108 --> 00:05:53.643
- And he has been ever since then.
- 00:05:53.643 --> 00:05:55.445
- He has been a symbol of conscience and also,
- 00:05:55.445 --> 00:05:59.515
- From the conservative party and christians.
- 00:05:59.515 --> 00:06:01.517
- That's why.
- 00:06:01.517 --> 00:06:02.452
- And he has been having a lot of influence,
- 00:06:02.452 --> 00:06:05.188
- Over the movement, christian movement.
- 00:06:05.188 --> 00:06:07.089
- So that's why they targeted my father.
- 00:06:07.089 --> 00:06:10.426
- Your father is essentially,
- 00:06:10.426 --> 00:06:11.594
- I guess, being charged with hate speech.
- 00:06:11.594 --> 00:06:13.763
- So-called. yes, yes.
- 00:06:13.763 --> 00:06:16.299
- So the hate speech, the legislation
- 00:06:16.299 --> 00:06:19.035
- That the democrats are pushing right now to,
- 00:06:19.035 --> 00:06:22.104
- To bill is the official name is comprehensive
- 00:06:22.104 --> 00:06:26.242
- Anti-discrimination law.
- 00:06:26.242 --> 00:06:27.810
- However, in korea, we already have 20 plus individual
- 00:06:27.810 --> 00:06:31.113
- Anti-discrimination laws.
- 00:06:31.113 --> 00:06:32.615
- You know, you can't discriminate against, race, color, skin
- 00:06:32.615 --> 00:06:36.919
- Color, race or, you know, gender and things like that.
- 00:06:36.919 --> 00:06:40.323
- But this and comprehensive anti-discrimination
- 00:06:40.323 --> 00:06:43.326
- Law is basically called it's called the homosexual law.
- 00:06:43.326 --> 00:06:47.129
- And it would suppress
- 00:06:47.129 --> 00:06:48.164
- The pastors to say what is simple, what says not.
- 00:06:48.164 --> 00:06:51.267
- And because of that, my father has been,
- 00:06:51.267 --> 00:06:54.270
- Opposing that law legislation as well.
- 00:06:54.270 --> 00:06:56.672
- So they've been silencing the pastors and christians,
- 00:06:56.672 --> 00:06:59.642
- And they have been actually successful,
- 00:06:59.642 --> 00:07:02.211
- You know, by controlling the media, legacy media.
- 00:07:02.211 --> 00:07:05.014
- And there are more people, more christians are rising up
- 00:07:05.014 --> 00:07:08.251
- And raising their voices.
- 00:07:08.251 --> 00:07:09.452
- However, it's been shut down by the government
- 00:07:09.452 --> 00:07:11.687
- Also being silenced as well.
- 00:07:11.687 --> 00:07:13.189
- Yeah, they'll end up in jail.
- 00:07:13.189 --> 00:07:14.790
- I like where your father still is now.
- 00:07:14.790 --> 00:07:16.359
- I'm sad to say. chance.
- 00:07:16.359 --> 00:07:18.160
- Any end in sight.
- 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:19.562
- What's the latest on your dad's case?
- 00:07:19.562 --> 00:07:21.397
- Any possibility he'll get out of jail?
- 00:07:21.397 --> 00:07:24.200
- Possibly.
- 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:25.701
- There's a possibility that he might get released.
- 00:07:25.701 --> 00:07:29.071
- However, he's being held without bail.
- 00:07:29.071 --> 00:07:31.841
- The prosecutors aren't presently, unprecedentedly
- 00:07:31.841 --> 00:07:35.278
- Asked for one year imprisonment for my father.
- 00:07:35.278 --> 00:07:38.347
- Because when you look at the president's legal precedent
- 00:07:38.347 --> 00:07:41.250
- For election law violation, even the candidate, their brand
- 00:07:41.250 --> 00:07:44.720
- For the election, they the most they would get is
- 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:47.957
- Payment of $1000 or $2000.
- 00:07:47.957 --> 00:07:51.060
- So there is no or there's no detention,
- 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:54.030
- There's no arrest or one year of imprisonment.
- 00:07:54.030 --> 00:07:57.433
- But because they're delaying the process,
- 00:07:57.433 --> 00:08:00.436
- By not providing the, the evidence and also so,
- 00:08:00.436 --> 00:08:04.674
- By requesting the one year imprisonment
- 00:08:05.508 --> 00:08:08.878
- For my for my father, it has been very, very unfair.
- 00:08:08.878 --> 00:08:12.515
- What can we do as americans, but more importantly,
- 00:08:12.515 --> 00:08:15.952
- As the body of christ?
- 00:08:15.952 --> 00:08:17.353
- What can we do to help?
- 00:08:17.353 --> 00:08:19.155
- Actually, i have two requests.
- 00:08:19.155 --> 00:08:20.890
- One is so there is a petition going on, that was up,
- 00:08:20.890 --> 00:08:25.828
- That was set by the advocates for, faith and freedom.
- 00:08:25.828 --> 00:08:29.799
- Thanks to bob tyler, kim, bangor and the burden, the family.
- 00:08:29.799 --> 00:08:33.302
- And the second one is, this is not about just one.
- 00:08:33.302 --> 00:08:37.773
- One pastor, one person.
- 00:08:37.773 --> 00:08:39.542
- So what i'm asking is not just release of my father,
- 00:08:39.542 --> 00:08:42.345
- But actually realizing what's happening in south korea.
- 00:08:42.345 --> 00:08:45.481
- And among christian community and other countries
- 00:08:45.481 --> 00:08:48.718
- And realizing and really,
- 00:08:48.718 --> 00:08:50.252
- Really knowing
- 00:08:50.252 --> 00:08:51.454
- And believing that this might come to your door as well.
- 00:08:51.454 --> 00:08:54.190
- For the americans.
- 00:08:54.190 --> 00:08:55.758
- And really, if you realize that, you'll be,
- 00:08:55.758 --> 00:08:58.894
- You know, you so you so you will pray for,
- 00:08:58.894 --> 00:09:02.331
- Brothers and sisters in christ as well.
- 00:09:02.331 --> 00:09:04.333
- And, to fight and to raise our voices,
- 00:09:04.333 --> 00:09:07.269
- Because not only from my understanding,
- 00:09:07.269 --> 00:09:09.672
- Not only in korea, but in the us as well,
- 00:09:09.672 --> 00:09:12.274
- There has been a wrong interpretation of separation
- 00:09:12.274 --> 00:09:15.044
- Between church and state,
- 00:09:15.044 --> 00:09:16.579
- You know, whenever it does, you know, so it although,
- 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:20.249
- Even though the government
- 00:09:20.249 --> 00:09:21.417
- Is going after the churches trying to shut down,
- 00:09:21.417 --> 00:09:24.420
- Trying to down in the during lockdown as well.
- 00:09:24.420 --> 00:09:26.956
- Yeah.
- 00:09:26.956 --> 00:09:27.623
- The church is
- 00:09:27.623 --> 00:09:28.824
- Not supposed to do anything, not say anything political,
- 00:09:28.824 --> 00:09:31.260
- You know, keep the political instability.
- 00:09:31.260 --> 00:09:33.362
- That's not what god calls us to though.
- 00:09:33.362 --> 00:09:34.897
- Yeah, exactly. so that's a lie.
- 00:09:34.897 --> 00:09:37.667
- How you shouldn't be talking anything,
- 00:09:37.667 --> 00:09:39.301
- Anything political for the christians.
- 00:09:39.301 --> 00:09:41.070
- So these are your voices and believe
- 00:09:41.070 --> 00:09:43.839
- And know that for a fact that we should be standing for
- 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:46.742
- God only now power to the government, not to the power,
- 00:09:46.742 --> 00:09:50.379
- But only keep our faith and only in god.
- 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:53.549
- So yeah, that's just the whole point.
- 00:09:53.549 --> 00:09:55.351
- Very well said. thank you.
- 00:09:55.351 --> 00:09:56.919
- We're praying for your dad. we're praying for your family.
- 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:59.288
- We're praying for freedom, freedom.
- 00:09:59.288 --> 00:10:01.090
- And thank you for all you're doing for sharing your story.
- 00:10:01.090 --> 00:10:03.392
- We can't the lights cannot go out in south korea.
- 00:10:03.392 --> 00:10:05.995
- South korea is a beacon
- 00:10:05.995 --> 00:10:07.163
- For the gospel in northeast asia where it's badly needed.
- 00:10:07.163 --> 00:10:10.266
- Keep up the great work, my friend.
- 00:10:10.266 --> 00:10:11.434
- Again, we're praying for your dad, chance. thank you.
- 00:10:11.434 --> 00:10:13.335
- Thank you very.
- 00:10:13.335 --> 00:10:14.904
- Folks, please pray for pastor son and his family
- 00:10:15.905 --> 00:10:18.841
- And that south korea remains a beacon for the gospel.
- 00:10:18.841 --> 00:10:23.145
- When we come back, we hear the incredible story of the man.
- 00:10:23.145 --> 00:10:26.549
- The kgb could not break in prison for his faith.
- 00:10:26.549 --> 00:10:30.720
- Hunted by a communist regime and the chilling lessons
- 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:34.123
- His story holds for the west today.
- 00:10:34.123 --> 00:10:37.226
- That's next.
- 00:10:37.226 --> 00:10:38.260
- They'll move.
- 00:10:38.260 --> 00:10:41.001
- They'll move.
- 00:10:41.001 --> 00:10:43.631
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:46.000
- Joseph bondarenko was known
- 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.602
- As the billy graham of the soviet union.
- 00:10:47.602 --> 00:10:50.739
- He courageously preached
- 00:10:50.739 --> 00:10:51.973
- The gospel under an officially atheistic communist regime.
- 00:10:51.973 --> 00:10:55.877
- For that he was imprisoned by the kgb.
- 00:10:55.877 --> 00:10:59.080
- But the iron fist of tyranny could not crush
- 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:02.016
- Joseph's witness and the power of christ.
- 00:11:02.016 --> 00:11:05.253
- I sat down with patrick joseph's daughters,
- 00:11:05.253 --> 00:11:07.021
- Mary and vera bondarenko, at turning point annual
- 00:11:07.021 --> 00:11:10.291
- And first in phoenix, arizona.
- 00:11:10.291 --> 00:11:12.293
- They shared their father's incredible testimony and why
- 00:11:12.293 --> 00:11:15.396
- His story is a cautionary tale for the west today.
- 00:11:15.396 --> 00:11:19.134
- Take a look.
- 00:11:19.467 --> 00:11:21.302
- Marian viera, it is great to
- 00:11:21.903 --> 00:11:23.438
- Have you with us here at amp fest in phoenix,
- 00:11:23.438 --> 00:11:25.373
- Arizona, where you are sharing your father's incredible story.
- 00:11:25.373 --> 00:11:29.477
- His witness for christ.
- 00:11:29.477 --> 00:11:30.779
- Your father, joe
- 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.713
- Joseph bondarenko, was known
- 00:11:31.713 --> 00:11:33.181
- As the billy graham of the soviet union.
- 00:11:33.181 --> 00:11:36.484
- That's high praise.
- 00:11:36.484 --> 00:11:37.852
- That's quite a title.
- 00:11:37.852 --> 00:11:39.354
- Miriam, talk about your father's
- 00:11:39.354 --> 00:11:40.989
- Early days getting into ministry.
- 00:11:40.989 --> 00:11:43.124
- And then we'll talk about the turn that it took.
- 00:11:43.124 --> 00:11:46.628
- My father, joseph bondarenko,
- 00:11:46.628 --> 00:11:48.763
- Was a very handsome young man who answered god's calling,
- 00:11:48.763 --> 00:11:53.234
- A calling to serve him no matter the circumstance.
- 00:11:53.234 --> 00:11:57.172
- And he paid the price.
- 00:11:57.172 --> 00:11:58.740
- So my data, 26 years old, was in prison
- 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:03.044
- For the first time for his faith,
- 00:12:03.044 --> 00:12:05.013
- For spreading the gospel in the evil,
- 00:12:05.013 --> 00:12:08.650
- Tyrannical regime and soviet union
- 00:12:08.650 --> 00:12:11.186
- And the world that we lived didn't know god,
- 00:12:11.186 --> 00:12:14.689
- And they wanted to do everything communist, wanted
- 00:12:14.689 --> 00:12:16.958
- To do everything possible to forget about god.
- 00:12:16.958 --> 00:12:19.694
- So my father didn't give up from one presentment
- 00:12:19.694 --> 00:12:23.331
- To another and to another, totaling in ten, ten years.
- 00:12:23.331 --> 00:12:27.435
- And he carried on love for the lord through everything
- 00:12:27.435 --> 00:12:31.039
- That he has been.
- 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:32.340
- And he ignited so many young lives
- 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:35.643
- To do the same and to continue trusting the lord and believing
- 00:12:35.643 --> 00:12:40.648
- That he will bring us through, will bring everyone through
- 00:12:40.648 --> 00:12:43.718
- And will see freedom one day. and we did. yeah.
- 00:12:43.718 --> 00:12:46.221
- Miriam.
- 00:12:46.221 --> 00:12:46.621
- Incredible.
- 00:12:46.621 --> 00:12:47.522
- And vera, i think of the soviet union,
- 00:12:47.522 --> 00:12:48.990
- The former soviet union, atheism, no religion.
- 00:12:48.990 --> 00:12:52.727
- I mean, it was atheistic, atheistic official state policy.
- 00:12:52.727 --> 00:12:57.131
- If you're a born again follower of jesus,
- 00:12:57.131 --> 00:12:59.033
- A follower of christ, you end up in prison as your father did.
- 00:12:59.033 --> 00:13:02.871
- Talk about that journey. 26 years old.
- 00:13:02.871 --> 00:13:05.173
- As miriam said, he's in prison for the first time,
- 00:13:05.173 --> 00:13:08.142
- But he's praying that he's preaching the gospel.
- 00:13:08.142 --> 00:13:10.178
- Spreading the gospel.
- 00:13:10.178 --> 00:13:11.279
- But the imprisonment didn't stop him.
- 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:14.449
- Talk about his journey there.
- 00:13:14.449 --> 00:13:15.683
- It was one of many imprisonments, as you said.
- 00:13:15.683 --> 00:13:17.785
- But this was constant pressure to the point.
- 00:13:17.785 --> 00:13:20.688
- And you've got a great book that your father wrote,
- 00:13:20.688 --> 00:13:22.757
- The kgb's most wanted.
- 00:13:22.757 --> 00:13:24.893
- Yes. tell us more about that.
- 00:13:24.893 --> 00:13:26.895
- Well, as mary said, our father is a very passionate man.
- 00:13:26.895 --> 00:13:31.466
- And when god took hold of his life at the age of 17,
- 00:13:31.466 --> 00:13:35.770
- He said, yes, lord, here am i.
- 00:13:35.770 --> 00:13:39.574
- Right. so.
- 00:13:39.574 --> 00:13:40.842
- And from that point on, no matter what god sent his way,
- 00:13:40.842 --> 00:13:44.612
- He was able to endure by god's grace and god's power.
- 00:13:44.612 --> 00:13:47.982
- So when he got in prison.
- 00:13:47.982 --> 00:13:49.984
- But first of all,
- 00:13:49.984 --> 00:13:51.152
- He was a young man at the odessa engineering of the navy,
- 00:13:51.152 --> 00:13:55.523
- And he was of life close to the graduation
- 00:13:55.523 --> 00:13:58.426
- Because i think it's very important story.
- 00:13:58.426 --> 00:14:00.828
- His life was at stake.
- 00:14:00.828 --> 00:14:02.730
- And before, shortly before his graduation,
- 00:14:02.730 --> 00:14:05.600
- He was given an ultimatum by the deacon because
- 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:09.470
- They were pressured by the kgb, because at the time, kgb notice
- 00:14:09.470 --> 00:14:13.474
- That this young man is teaching children and young people
- 00:14:13.474 --> 00:14:18.279
- The scriptures, the bible, the morals of god.
- 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:21.316
- And this was not allowable in our illegal.
- 00:14:21.316 --> 00:14:23.851
- It was illegal.
- 00:14:23.851 --> 00:14:24.886
- And that was the crime they brought against him.
- 00:14:24.886 --> 00:14:27.355
- But before he was arrested, he had to go through a test
- 00:14:27.355 --> 00:14:31.225
- Where he as a student, he had passion to become a ship
- 00:14:31.225 --> 00:14:34.329
- Captain, an engineer, traveled the world to bring the gospel,
- 00:14:34.329 --> 00:14:38.433
- Because in the iron curtain or behind
- 00:14:38.433 --> 00:14:40.435
- The iron curtain were not or he was not able to travel.
- 00:14:40.435 --> 00:14:43.338
- Right. so he did that for god.
- 00:14:43.338 --> 00:14:45.873
- And then shortly before he was given one night to decide
- 00:14:45.873 --> 00:14:49.577
- Whether you want to follow god and you all lunatics
- 00:14:49.577 --> 00:14:52.513
- Kind of beliefs,
- 00:14:52.513 --> 00:14:53.581
- Or you want to be a soviet engineer, your decision.
- 00:14:53.581 --> 00:14:56.718
- So next day he had to stand up before an auditorium
- 00:14:56.718 --> 00:14:59.821
- Of 1000 or 2000 people and say, i choose christ
- 00:14:59.821 --> 00:15:03.191
- Because i cannot deny my savior who laid down life for me.
- 00:15:03.191 --> 00:15:08.229
- And since then
- 00:15:08.229 --> 00:15:09.130
- There was this first test or a bigger
- 00:15:09.130 --> 00:15:10.765
- Test of his small faith, as he would say.
- 00:15:10.765 --> 00:15:13.067
- But then many test followed, and he never wavered
- 00:15:13.067 --> 00:15:15.937
- Because he saw jesus being proclaimed
- 00:15:15.937 --> 00:15:18.740
- Where people believed there was no god.
- 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.842
- Even mentioning the name of god was illegal.
- 00:15:20.842 --> 00:15:23.778
- And when he was imprisoned, he was dangerous in prison
- 00:15:23.778 --> 00:15:26.714
- Because people were finding christ
- 00:15:26.714 --> 00:15:28.916
- Through my dad's love and testimony of jesus.
- 00:15:28.916 --> 00:15:32.020
- So he was on the kgb watch list all the time.
- 00:15:32.020 --> 00:15:35.156
- We were born, and we were under surveillance
- 00:15:35.156 --> 00:15:38.493
- Constantly with the raids to our house, by police, by kgb.
- 00:15:38.493 --> 00:15:42.897
- You have. five siblings.
- 00:15:42.897 --> 00:15:43.998
- There's 5 or 5 siblings.
- 00:15:43.998 --> 00:15:45.700
- But mary was born after my dad's imprisonment.
- 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:48.669
- I was eight
- 00:15:48.669 --> 00:15:49.837
- When my dad got in prison, so i remember it very vividly.
- 00:15:49.837 --> 00:15:52.840
- But praise god for the heritage that we have of our parents
- 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:56.411
- Who showed and portrayed what's love for christ and commitment
- 00:15:56.411 --> 00:15:59.814
- Looks like. yeah.
- 00:15:59.814 --> 00:16:01.015
- And he put your father literally put everything on the line.
- 00:16:01.015 --> 00:16:04.485
- Everything. and ladies, he was anointed.
- 00:16:04.485 --> 00:16:06.821
- He is anointed.
- 00:16:06.821 --> 00:16:07.688
- He's still preaching, still traveling
- 00:16:07.688 --> 00:16:09.157
- Today, by the way, 89 years old.
- 00:16:09.157 --> 00:16:11.359
- But to me it's a miracle listing.
- 00:16:11.359 --> 00:16:13.161
- We know the ruthlessness, the viciousness of the kgb.
- 00:16:13.161 --> 00:16:16.297
- It's a miracle that your father wasn't killed and married.
- 00:16:16.297 --> 00:16:19.801
- You attribute that
- 00:16:19.801 --> 00:16:21.235
- To the protection, the hand of the lord on him.
- 00:16:21.235 --> 00:16:23.738
- Yeah. yes.
- 00:16:23.738 --> 00:16:24.572
- And they've tried many, many times.
- 00:16:24.572 --> 00:16:26.774
- But god had other plans. yeah.
- 00:16:26.774 --> 00:16:28.810
- And when god says no, it's not his time to go,
- 00:16:28.810 --> 00:16:32.580
- No matter who he's trying to get rid of you,
- 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:35.750
- They will not succeed.
- 00:16:35.750 --> 00:16:37.518
- Because god is above all.
- 00:16:37.518 --> 00:16:40.388
- When we come back, the bondarenko family survived
- 00:16:41.355 --> 00:16:44.358
- Soviet persecution,
- 00:16:44.358 --> 00:16:45.993
- But they warn that
- 00:16:45.993 --> 00:16:47.128
- The western world is now heading down a similar road.
- 00:16:47.128 --> 00:16:51.099
- Speech codes, indoctrination and the war on faith.
- 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:55.136
- They've seen this movie before.
- 00:16:55.136 --> 00:16:57.438
- They're warning to the west next.
- 00:16:57.438 --> 00:17:02.000
- They're warning to the west next.
- 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:04.612
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:07.215
- Mary and vera bondarenko
- 00:17:07.215 --> 00:17:08.883
- Fled soviet oppression and found freedom in america.
- 00:17:08.883 --> 00:17:12.820
- And now they warn that the same godless ideologies
- 00:17:12.820 --> 00:17:16.257
- They escaped are taking root in the west.
- 00:17:16.257 --> 00:17:19.560
- Here's more.
- 00:17:19.894 --> 00:17:22.230
- You guys are living in the states now?
- 00:17:22.230 --> 00:17:24.031
- Yes, but you see very troubling signs in america
- 00:17:24.031 --> 00:17:27.401
- And throughout the west, and some very troubling echoes.
- 00:17:27.401 --> 00:17:30.471
- I know your dad sees it
- 00:17:30.471 --> 00:17:31.906
- Of some of the things we saw in the former soviet union.
- 00:17:31.906 --> 00:17:34.642
- I don't think that's an exaggeration.
- 00:17:34.642 --> 00:17:36.444
- How concerned are you about the turn?
- 00:17:36.444 --> 00:17:39.347
- In many cases, away from god?
- 00:17:39.347 --> 00:17:41.916
- Well, we are very concerned.
- 00:17:41.916 --> 00:17:43.618
- We've lived in this country for 25 years,
- 00:17:43.618 --> 00:17:45.920
- And we're so thankful for america.
- 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:48.055
- And as we spoke this morning, i just said that people
- 00:17:48.055 --> 00:17:51.392
- That think that america is evil.
- 00:17:51.392 --> 00:17:53.394
- Should we think that because we live an american dream?
- 00:17:53.394 --> 00:17:56.631
- In a way, we came here
- 00:17:56.631 --> 00:17:58.166
- And god gave us this opportunity to love this country
- 00:17:58.166 --> 00:18:01.269
- And to spread the gospel and to have freedom of religion,
- 00:18:01.269 --> 00:18:04.305
- Freedom of prayer, freedom of worship.
- 00:18:04.305 --> 00:18:06.240
- I didn't have that when i was a child.
- 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:08.609
- So coming to america was refreshing.
- 00:18:08.609 --> 00:18:11.212
- It was a new chapter of our lives,
- 00:18:11.212 --> 00:18:13.147
- And we started noticing all of this socialistic agenda
- 00:18:13.147 --> 00:18:17.418
- In our government, in our school system,
- 00:18:17.418 --> 00:18:19.921
- In the whole generation
- 00:18:19.921 --> 00:18:21.689
- Of americans who were raised on these utopian ideas
- 00:18:21.689 --> 00:18:25.359
- That we lived through experience in our own lives.
- 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:28.829
- And they failed.
- 00:18:28.829 --> 00:18:29.597
- And that's time and time
- 00:18:29.597 --> 00:18:31.399
- Because a human nature is sinful and they forget that.
- 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:35.903
- But they try to envision this utopian world.
- 00:18:35.903 --> 00:18:39.073
- But corruption of the hearts, which is sin,
- 00:18:39.073 --> 00:18:42.310
- Does not allow that.
- 00:18:42.310 --> 00:18:43.344
- So we we just very concerned that the school system
- 00:18:43.344 --> 00:18:46.814
- And the propaganda that our kids are receiving today,
- 00:18:46.814 --> 00:18:50.384
- It's no different, no different than from the soviet union.
- 00:18:50.384 --> 00:18:54.488
- We were brainwashed in our school system
- 00:18:54.488 --> 00:18:57.358
- And our kids are being brainwashed in california.
- 00:18:57.358 --> 00:19:00.027
- What they do with kids and even gaming.
- 00:19:00.027 --> 00:19:02.597
- The demonic powers are working overtime
- 00:19:02.597 --> 00:19:05.766
- To introduce even transgenderism and confusion in children,
- 00:19:05.766 --> 00:19:10.238
- And that is far more beyond that we had ever envisioned.
- 00:19:10.238 --> 00:19:13.474
- Mary, how about you?
- 00:19:13.474 --> 00:19:14.408
- I mean, your father is the ultimate,
- 00:19:14.408 --> 00:19:17.078
- I think, cautionary tale.
- 00:19:17.078 --> 00:19:18.512
- What he went through, what he survived.
- 00:19:18.512 --> 00:19:21.716
- It gives us a warning, number one, i think.
- 00:19:21.716 --> 00:19:23.618
- But number two, we're here to him first.
- 00:19:23.618 --> 00:19:25.219
- A lot of young people here,
- 00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:26.887
- You've seen revival before in the former soviet union.
- 00:19:26.887 --> 00:19:29.457
- You know what it looks like.
- 00:19:29.457 --> 00:19:30.992
- You see some stirrings of revival,
- 00:19:30.992 --> 00:19:32.560
- Perhaps, among young people in america right now.
- 00:19:32.560 --> 00:19:35.363
- We are seeing that, especially after our dear friend
- 00:19:35.363 --> 00:19:37.999
- Charlie kirk was taken away from us.
- 00:19:37.999 --> 00:19:40.568
- And we see it happening
- 00:19:40.568 --> 00:19:42.069
- Throughout america and even throughout the world,
- 00:19:42.069 --> 00:19:45.039
- Where his life has affected so many people.
- 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:47.775
- But he's with the lord now, and we're still here,
- 00:19:47.775 --> 00:19:50.611
- And it's up to each one of us and up to each
- 00:19:50.611 --> 00:19:54.081
- One of the young ones out there listening to us.
- 00:19:54.081 --> 00:19:56.684
- What are they going to do?
- 00:19:56.684 --> 00:19:59.020
- How far are you willing to go?
- 00:19:59.020 --> 00:20:00.988
- What is faithfulness to you?
- 00:20:00.988 --> 00:20:02.623
- Are you going to take an action
- 00:20:02.623 --> 00:20:04.492
- Or are you just going to stay back on the sidelines?
- 00:20:04.492 --> 00:20:08.863
- How long will it take for you to speak up and to stand
- 00:20:08.863 --> 00:20:12.933
- For god's truth and be willing to die for it?
- 00:20:12.933 --> 00:20:16.871
- If if so,
- 00:20:16.871 --> 00:20:18.439
- And satan is not creative, he is using the same tactics,
- 00:20:18.439 --> 00:20:22.910
- Just he presents it in a different way.
- 00:20:22.910 --> 00:20:25.513
- And what we've experienced is soviet union.
- 00:20:25.513 --> 00:20:27.782
- We seeing it here?
- 00:20:27.782 --> 00:20:29.617
- And for us it's a scary thing because we ran from that regime.
- 00:20:29.617 --> 00:20:34.422
- And when we saw america welcoming it with open arms,
- 00:20:34.422 --> 00:20:37.992
- We said, oh no, lord, we are about to go to fight.
- 00:20:37.992 --> 00:20:43.497
- And we've been fighting since we moved here.
- 00:20:43.497 --> 00:20:45.633
- Yeah. and your dad was pushed to the limit, obviously.
- 00:20:45.633 --> 00:20:47.968
- Now we have zoran mamdani, a communist. yes.
- 00:20:47.968 --> 00:20:51.105
- About the mayor of new york city.
- 00:20:51.105 --> 00:20:52.740
- Last question, ladies.
- 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.041
- Do you think there's going to be
- 00:20:54.041 --> 00:20:54.975
- Some testing the body of christ?
- 00:20:54.975 --> 00:20:56.477
- Your dad obviously was pushed to the limit
- 00:20:56.477 --> 00:20:58.846
- And his faith was tested.
- 00:20:58.846 --> 00:21:00.081
- He passed with flying colors, of course.
- 00:21:00.081 --> 00:21:02.183
- But do you think believers in
- 00:21:02.183 --> 00:21:03.551
- America could be pushed to the limit a bit in the days to come?
- 00:21:03.551 --> 00:21:07.722
- I think today when people say, well,
- 00:21:07.722 --> 00:21:09.724
- Socialism is not going to be in america
- 00:21:09.724 --> 00:21:11.926
- Or it's going to be in a different form,
- 00:21:11.926 --> 00:21:13.928
- Or persecution is not coming.
- 00:21:13.928 --> 00:21:15.629
- I mean,
- 00:21:15.629 --> 00:21:16.597
- We have our constitution, but we have seen
- 00:21:16.597 --> 00:21:18.232
- Throughout this past years how, you know, constitution
- 00:21:18.232 --> 00:21:21.001
- Was trampled upon and not being adhere to.
- 00:21:21.001 --> 00:21:24.572
- And things can change really fast.
- 00:21:24.572 --> 00:21:26.540
- We're actually experiencing,
- 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:28.476
- But locally and people
- 00:21:28.476 --> 00:21:29.844
- Are not aware of it because it's locally, it's not nationwide,
- 00:21:29.844 --> 00:21:33.647
- But the persecution of christians
- 00:21:33.647 --> 00:21:35.549
- Means my worldview is not the same as yours,
- 00:21:35.549 --> 00:21:38.986
- And you are being villainized for your worldview.
- 00:21:38.986 --> 00:21:42.223
- So therefore testing is coming.
- 00:21:42.223 --> 00:21:44.759
- It is already here.
- 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:46.293
- And jesus promised that if we want to live a godly life
- 00:21:46.293 --> 00:21:49.630
- And righteous life, we will be persecuted
- 00:21:49.630 --> 00:21:51.699
- In some way, shape and form and we need to get ready
- 00:21:51.699 --> 00:21:55.035
- For persecution in america and especially from communists,
- 00:21:55.035 --> 00:21:58.739
- Socialists, and also islam.
- 00:21:58.739 --> 00:22:01.675
- Thanks again to mary
- 00:22:02.143 --> 00:22:03.377
- And vera bondarenko for sharing their father's powerful story.
- 00:22:03.377 --> 00:22:06.180
- Folks, if you want to know
- 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.281
- More about joseph bondarenko, his amazing testimony,
- 00:22:07.281 --> 00:22:10.151
- The book is called the kgb's most wanted.
- 00:22:10.151 --> 00:22:13.454
- You can pick it up right now
- 00:22:13.454 --> 00:22:14.422
- At amazon.com or wherever books are sold.
- 00:22:14.422 --> 00:22:17.558
- It is a story for such a time as this.
- 00:22:17.558 --> 00:22:20.227
- Speaking of which,
- 00:22:20.227 --> 00:22:21.429
- The times we're living in my final thoughts
- 00:22:21.429 --> 00:22:23.964
- How to stand strong for the gospel
- 00:22:23.964 --> 00:22:26.200
- In the face of relentless opposition.
- 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:29.003
- That's next, mr.
- 00:22:29.003 --> 00:22:30.037
- Graham.
- 00:22:30.037 --> 00:22:34.997
- Graham.
- 00:22:34.997 --> 00:22:37.611
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
- 00:22:38.479 --> 00:22:40.247
- I hear the stories of joseph bondarenko and pastor son
- 00:22:40.247 --> 00:22:43.317
- In south korea.
- 00:22:43.317 --> 00:22:44.218
- I am inspired, i think of the book of romans,
- 00:22:44.218 --> 00:22:46.287
- Chapter five verses three and four.
- 00:22:46.287 --> 00:22:48.489
- But we also glory in our sufferings because we know
- 00:22:48.489 --> 00:22:52.526
- That suffering produces perseverance, perseverance,
- 00:22:52.526 --> 00:22:56.096
- Character and character of hope.
- 00:22:56.096 --> 00:22:58.666
- God sits on the throne.
- 00:22:58.666 --> 00:23:00.201
- He will never leave us or forsake us.
- 00:23:00.201 --> 00:23:02.369
- No matter how bad the persecution gets, he is with us.
- 00:23:02.369 --> 00:23:05.906
- We need to stand strong.
- 00:23:05.906 --> 00:23:08.409
- Pastor bondarenko.
- 00:23:08.409 --> 00:23:09.443
- Pastor son, give us a great example.
- 00:23:09.443 --> 00:23:11.779
- Hey, another great example.
- 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.980
- Andrew seder is here tomorrow night.
- 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.582
- Another pastor, egyptian
- 00:23:14.582 --> 00:23:15.783
- In origin,
- 00:23:15.783 --> 00:23:17.017
- Lives in australia right now and he continues that warning
- 00:23:17.017 --> 00:23:19.420
- To the west.
- 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.454
- You will want to miss out.
- 00:23:20.454 --> 00:23:21.288
- Until then, god bless you.
- 00:23:21.288 --> 00:23:23.757
- We'll see you soon.
- 00:23:23.757 --> 00:23:23.757
