In 2010, Pastor Anatoly Gurduiala and his wife, Natasha, arrived in Glendale, California with a sense of purpose, eager to begin pastoral ministry at the Russian-American Seventh-day Adventist Church. They quickly settled into their new home nestled beneath the golden hills of Southern California.
As he became more familiar with the community, Pastor Gurduiala made a profound discovery: Glendale was home to a large population of Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants. This revelation opened his eyes to an unexpected mission field, one that would reshape his approach and ministry forever.
“Whenever I went to stores or shops, I saw many Russian-speaking Jewish people,” he recalled. “Occasionally, I would meet Ukrainians or Russians, but mostly Jewish people. I thought, ‘Okay, let us do something for them.’” Of the estimated 800,000 Russian speakers in Los Angeles, at least 500,000 are Jewish. Pastor Gurduiala realized he was staring at an unparalleled opportunity. “Many struggle to find even one Jewish person to minister to, but here, there are so many,” he shared.
A New Approach to Outreach
Pastor Gurduiala quickly recognized that the name “Russian-American Seventh-day Adventist Church” would not resonate with the Jewish community. The sign outside the church, bold and clear, was more of a barrier than an invitation, Pastor Gurduiala sensed. “Jewish people would not understand what a Seventh-day Adventist church is,” he reflected. The words seemed too formal, too foreign, a cold introduction to a group searching for belonging.
With the church’s approval, Pastor Gurduiala and his team decided to change the name to something more welcoming, something that would invite curiosity rather than confusion: “Center for Spiritual Renewal.” It was a name that felt warm, accessible, and open, like a welcoming door to all who sought solace and connection. The church began advertising in newspapers and newsletters promoting it as a place for spiritual growth and community.
Soon, the phone began to ring, with curious voices on the other end. The inviting message resonated, drawing people in and prompting many to respond to the advertisements. Those who had read the invitation were eager to learn more. Pastor Gurduiala, speaking with the gentle tone of someone who truly cares, explains the appeal, “It is a place where you can meet new friends, learn more about God, and improve your spiritual life.”
Renaming the church and adjusting its outreach strategy proved to be remarkably effective in connecting with Jewish people. “At the beginning, we baptized six of them,” Pastor Gurduiala recalls. “A few years later, some of them told me, ‘If we had known this was a Seventh-day Adventist church from the start, we would have never come. But you invited us to a center, and when we arrived, we did not see any pictures of Jesus or a cross. It felt like a normal synagogue.’”
Growing Community through Shared Faith and Culture
Understanding the importance of cultural familiarity, Pastor Gurduiala made a concerted effort to incorporate Jewish traditions and meet human needs into their outreach. “We studied the Torah together and provided family consultations,” he explained. This approach helped establish trust within the Jewish community, and gradually, people began attending church and requesting baptism. Six Jewish people were baptized in the early stages of the ministry.
As the ministry grew, Pastor Gurduiala was confident they were making progress. To refine their approach, he reached out to Dr. Alexander (Sasha) Bolotnikov, an Adventist pastor with a deep understanding of Jewish outreach. “Alexander, how can we increase our impact?” he asked.
With Dr. Bolotnikov’s wisdom, the church began organizing cultural events like Passover celebrations and Jewish feasts which quickly became cherished community traditions. “Each event brought in sixty, eighty, sometimes even one hundred new Jewish people,” Pastor Gurduiala recalled. These gatherings built connections, and as relationships strengthened, the ministry flourished, with many participants staying engaged, continuing to study the Bible together for years to come.
As the ministry grew, Pastor Gurduiala and his team realized they could take their outreach to the next level. He again sought Dr. Bolotnikov’s counsel and together they launched a formal Jewish ministry with support from the General Conference and the North American Division. This support enabled the church to continue its outreach efforts including financing for the ministry.
At subsequent gatherings, increasing numbers of newcomers filled the room with lively conversations and laughter. Pastor Gurduiala fondly recalls, “We have many pictures and videos documenting these events, showing both non-Adventist and Jewish attendees. At these gatherings, people sit around tables, and we often have sixty to seventy new people in total. It’s a place where they can form friendships, share a meal, and learn about God.”
For many attendees, particularly those in their sixties, seventies, and even eighties, the church became a safe space to explore their faith. After attending five to seven events, many began asking how they could learn more. “We offer private Torah study lessons at their homes or in the park,” Pastor Gurduiala explained. “Some are hesitant at first, but eventually, they see the value. About seventy percent of them express interest in baptism.”
Currently, the church is home to around ninety members, with about thirty of them being Jewish. Of those Jewish members, fifteen attend regularly, and the church has witnessed forty baptisms. Many members are Russian Jews and other Jewish immigrants who, in many cases, have lived in the United States for thirty to forty years and had been seeking something more spiritually fulfilling. Before these events, their only options were the synagogue or staying at home.
Now, they have the opportunity to join gatherings at places like Plummer Park where the church has set up a small library for people to enjoy. In this peaceful corner, the library has become more than just a collection of books; it is a gathering place where friendships grow and conversations flow freely creating a sense of belonging that many had longed for. “The community knows us as ‘the good people from the church,’” Pastor Gurduiala shared. “Whenever we announce a new event, they reach out to us right away. Through these efforts, we have built many lasting friendships.”
A Culture of Fellowship and Friendship
Pastor Gurduiala believes that outreach naturally leads to church involvement and at the heart of that process is the importance of fellowship. “A key aspect is sharing a meal together,” he said. “Most churches do not do that. Services end, and in ten to fifteen minutes, the church is empty. But in our church, if the service ends at one o’clock in the afternoon, people stay until five, sitting around tables, discussing family, the Bible, and life. It amazes me how long they stay.”
In those hours, the space is filled with laughter and conversation, the clink of cutlery on plates, and the shared comfort of community. People begin to open up, sharing stories of their lives and their roots. “They often tell me, ‘This is the best place to make friends,’” Pastor Gurduiala said. “Many say, ‘We know a lot of people, but we cannot call them friends. You are our friends.’”
This sense of deep connection, fueled by food and fellowship, is what Pastor Gurduiala sees as the essence of outreach. He also highlights the importance of dedicated members in the church. “Having committed people is crucial. When members are dedicated, they help significantly. They agree to share the gospel with others,” he says. Pastor Gurduiala often challenges his congregation by asking, “How many people did you share the message with outside of Sabbath?”
The spirit of outreach and community extends to travel activities as well. On Sundays, the church often organizes van or bus excursions to museums and parks including in destinations like Santa Barbara and San Diego. “California has many beautiful places,” he noted. Church members are encouraged to invite new people, and the trips have proven successful in building new relationships.
“If fifteen members invited someone, we could bring in seven to ten non-Adventist visitors,” Pastor Gurduiala explained. Through this ministry, they baptized two Jewish individuals. “They became friends during the trips, felt comfortable in a Jewish-friendly environment, and have now been part of the church for four to five years.” Upon arrival, they set up tables, sit together, eat, and discuss stories about the Messiah and Moses. “People listen with great interest,” Pastor Gurduiala added.
“Everyone wants to have friends,” he continued. “Outreach is essential, spending five or six hours together in the park or on a trip, sharing food, and talking. I encourage participants to bring something to share. Food is powerful. It helps build friendships.”
Cultivating Relationships and Enriching Lives
The church has also built a strong foundation of support for Los Angeles’ Russian Jewish community and others in need. Every Sabbath, the church runs a food ministry and food bank providing both nourishment and fellowship. “People come to pick up food and have lunch with us,” Pastor Gurduiala said.
In addition to the food ministry, the church organizes summer camps for both Jewish and non-Jewish children. These ten-day retreats are held at Camp Cedar Falls, a Christian Group Camp and Conferencing Center operated by the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains where sun-dappled meadows meet towering evergreens. Far from the city’s constant motion and lingering haze, the camp sits amid gentle mountain breezes and starlit skies untouched by urban glow.
Over the years, it has become a trusted resource for families in the community. “We promote the event up to ten times throughout the year and distribute brochures outlining our program, which includes Torah study, Russian language lessons, as many want their children and grandchildren to learn their native language, along with cultural education and traditions,” Pastor Gurduiala explained. “In the past, only three to five children were Jewish, but we want to increase that number this year and host two camps, one for Jewish teenagers and one for non-Jews.”
The success of the camps speaks volumes about the trust parents have in the church. “The children stay with us for ten days, and when they return, both they and their parents are happy,” Pastor Gurduiala shared.
In addition to their summer camps, the church has prioritized reaching out to those who feel abandoned or disconnected, offering a vital support network to those in need. They have provided resources for Ukrainian and Russian immigrants, organized camp meetings at Cedar Falls, and created online spaces through Facebook and Telegram to support newcomers in their transition to life in the United States.
Gatherings such as Shrovetide events for immigrants, Rosh Hashanah celebrations at Plummer Park, Epiphany observances, and fellowship over tea remind people that they are not forgotten.
Pastor Gurduiala’s outreach also expanded into adult daycare centers, where he offered free presentations on health, psychology, and memory improvement. “Sometimes, sixty to seventy people would gather to hear me speak,” he said. “They would say, ‘The pastor is coming today,’ and would invite others. Four people were baptized through this ministry. They told me, ‘This is even better than daycare. The people here are so kind, and the atmosphere is so warm.’”
Looking Ahead
As the ministry continues to grow, Pastor Gurduiala remains steadfast in his mission. “We are not working for money,” he emphasized. “Our goal is to bring more people to Jesus. People see how much we do for them. Whether it is providing books, renting facilities, or organizing the events, it is all about building relationships and sharing the message of hope.” Pastor Gurduiala also noted that many event attendees ask, “Where is your church? We would like to visit.”
Through unwavering dedication, prayer, and God’s providence, the “Center for Spiritual Renewal” (Russian-American Seventh-day Adventist Church) has blossomed into a space of spiritual renewal, where tables laden with challah and borscht invite both nourishment and connection. People from all backgrounds, including Russian Jews, come together to form lasting friendships, share in life’s joys and struggles, and explore faith in a way that is relational, inviting, and spiritually meaningful.
