Quick hello from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Akop Mkrtumyan · 1 day ago
So exited with a great anticipation!
4
The journey is underway
Day 18
of 52 days
The journey
6 countries on the route · currently in Moldova
🇲🇩🇰🇬🇰🇿🇺🇿🇦🇲🇳🇴
RESET exists to honestly share our journey of slowing down, seeking God’s voice, and realigning our lives with His purpose. Through stories, conversations, and transparent partnership, we invite others to travel with us—and perhaps discover their own RESET along the way.
Latest updates
We Made It to Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Akop Mkrtumyan · 2 days ago
After a long journey and two overnight flights, we have finally arrived in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan! We are a little tired… but very excited to finally set our feet on this beautiful nation. We are apparently not ready for a photo yet — at least that’s what my wife says. 😉 Tomorrow we promise! 😄 For tonight, we’ll just share the view from our hotel window. Thank you for traveling with us and, most importantly, thank you for praying for us. A new country. A new chapter of the journey. Let’s see what God has prepared for us here. 🇰🇬 A&S ❤️
1
Next destination… Journey continues.
Akop Mkrtumyan · 4 days ago
Boarding our flight. Short layover in Istanbul. Then Yerevan/Armenia…. And Central Asia next stop. Thank you everyone for your prayers. We Love You all❤️. A&S
4
Christ on the Taekwondo Mat
Akop Mkrtumyan · 5 days ago
We left two more stores from Moldova to the end, not because they are less important, but because they are different. They both related to children of Moldova… This week I had a very interesting meeting with Sergey Balan, President of the National Taekwon-Do Federation of Moldova. The Global Taekwon-Do Federation also identifies him as President of GTF Moldova. What caught my attention first was not the sport itself. Sergey told me that Bible study is officially part of their federation curriculum. His belief is very simple: physical development is not enough. Spiritual development should be a priority too. He considers his skill as a tool to bring Gospel to this future generation. They want the kids to grow not only stronger physically, but also in character, discipline and faith. Then Sergey shared something that touched me even more. Several years ago they began training children with Down syndrome and other special needs. These kids train, learn discipline, grow in confidence and become part of the same Taekwondo family. Sergey told me that parents are seeing real changes in their children’s everyday lives. And this is not only something we heard in our meeting. UNICEF Moldova shared the story of Ernest, a boy with Down syndrome who trained in this Taekwondo community. His mother spoke about acceptance, growth and overcoming prejudice. I really love this picture: developing the spirit, developing the body, and making room for children who are too often left on the side. This is much more than Taekwondo. ❤️ P.S.: One more story is coming…
1
Not a Coincidence…
Akop Mkrtumyan · 7 days ago
Just days before we enter Central Asia, God placed us across the table from a man who has been preparing workers for that exact region for almost 30 years. This morning we had a wonderful meeting with Mihai Malancea, the Head and the Bishop of the Union of Christian Evangelical Baptist Churches of Moldova (UBCEB). This is the largest evangelical church union in Moldova — 486 churches and more than 17,000 members across the country. But for us, this meeting became something more. For almost 30 years, Brother Mihai has carried a vision for Central Asia. Back in 1998, he and the team at Divitia Gratiae University started a missions program to reach and train people from the Turkic-speaking nations of that region. Over the years, students from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries came, learned, and were sent out for ministry. And these are the same nations we are traveling to next week. We came to Moldova and asked God to guide our steps and to connect us with the right people. And then, just days before we enter Central Asia, we are sitting across the table from a man whose heart has been in that region for decades. Maybe it is a coincidence. But somehow… it does not feel like one. Let’s continue to pray: Lord, order our steps. Show us the people we need to meet and the doors You want us to walk through.
4
Territory of Truth
Akop Mkrtumyan · 8 days ago
Yesterday we had such an interesting meeting with brother Vladimir Leahovchenko and Pastor Adrian Blajinschi. We actually met Vladimir on our last trip to Moldova about a year ago, when “Territory of Truth” was just getting started. At that time we had several conversations about how we might be able to help, including the possibility of bringing humanitarian aid from Norway. Now, one year later, it was exciting to come back and see how much has already happened. Together with a small group of Christian businessmen and friends, they have invested their own money, built this beautiful studio and purchased the first equipment. Their vision is big — to create a media platform that Christian churches can use to broadcast the Gospel across Moldova, Romania and beyond. Now they are trusting God for the next step — connecting with the right Christian broadcasting partners and eventually becoming a 24/7 Christian media platform. And the vision is bigger than media. Territory of Truth wants to bring Christian influence into five areas: Media, Social Work, Sports, Business and Politics. We are still learning more ourselves and meeting more of the people involved. Stay tuned… I have a feeling there is more to this story. 🇲🇩❤️
4
A Sunday Evening in Chișinău
Akop Mkrtumyan · 10 days ago
Tonight we took some time to walk through Rose Valley Park in Chișinău. One thing that really stood out to us was seeing so many families together. Parents walking with their children, kids playing, people simply enjoying the evening. It was beautiful. We’re thankful for another day in Moldova and already seeing God’s hand in the meetings we’ve had this week. Thank you for praying for us and walking this journey with us. We love you. ❤️
2
Victory Church.
Akop Mkrtumyan · 10 days ago
Last night we had a wonderful opportunity to minister at Victory Church with Pastor Sergey & Olga Rodideal. Such a great service… very free and open atmosphere. It was so easy to share the Word, and people were so open to receive. The church is very focused on redemption, outreach, and planting new churches. After the service, we had a chance to spend more time together with Sergey & Olga to fellowship, and get to know each other better. We also talked about some potential plans for what we could bring to Moldova in the future. We are planning to spend more time together next week. Trusting God to guide our steps and show us what a long-term partnership could look like. 🙏
3
Meeting Pastor Igor
Akop Mkrtumyan · 13 days ago
Today we had a great meeting with Pastor Igor Kokosh and the opportunity to share at his church. We learned some interesting things about the spiritual life in Moldova and the churches here. We are not ready to share all of it yet, but we would ask you to keep praying for Moldova. And please pray for Pastor Igor and his family too. They are wonderful people. The people in the church were so open and welcoming. At the end of the service, Pastor Igor asked Sveta and me to pray for people who needed healing. Before we left, a couple of people came and told us that God had already touched them. Tomorrow we have a few more meetings planned. Please pray that God gives us wisdom and leads us to the right conversations. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. ❤️ I especially like the phrase “the people in the church were so open and welcoming.” It’s simple, warm, and sounds like something you’d naturally say in conversation.
6
Coffee With sister Nelli.
Akop Mkrtumyan · 15 days ago
Today’s meeting wasn’t planned. Svetlana had a chance to spend some time with Nelli Eriomenco (next to Svetlana on this photo). Her husband Victor and she, together they started a Tent ministry here in Moldova back in 1997 conducting evangelism outreaches. And today God is using this couple to plant churches across the country. Today, Nelli serves families who have children or family members with special needs. She organizes camps where around 200 people receive both practical help and spiritual encouragement. This ministry grew out of her own story, as two of her children have special needs. She has such a big heart for people. Tomorrow we have another meeting planned, and Thursday evening we’ll be ministering at a local church. Thank you for praying for us. ❤️
3
First stop: Moldova. 🇲🇩
Akop Mkrtumyan · 15 days ago
🇲🇩 Moldova. We made it. It’s 3:00 a.m. We’re tired… but our hearts are full. RESET has officially begun. Good night, friends. ❤️
5
Just checking in📍
Akop Mkrtumyan · 16 days ago
Landed in Munich, Germany 🇩🇪. Waiting at the gate for our next flight to Vienna. Thank you for your prayers.
8
45 minutes before we take off!
Akop Mkrtumyan · 16 days ago
We are so excited!
11
Luke 9 has been making me smile today. 😊
Akop Mkrtumyan · 17 days ago
Jesus said to His disciples: “Take nothing for your journey…” (Luke 9:2–3) Meanwhile… Svetlana and I looked around our bedroom this morning… 👀 Four suitcases. Two passports. A laptop. Bible. Shoes. Snacks. Apparently… we’ve interpreted that verse a little differently. 😄 In all seriousness, though… Jesus wasn’t giving us a packing list. He was teaching His disciples where their confidence should come from. Not from what they carried. But from the One who was sending them. As we finish packing for RESET 2026, that’s our prayer too. Yes, we’re bringing suitcases. But more importantly… we’re stepping into this journey trusting that God has already gone before us. We’re ready. Please keep praying for us. The journey begins soon. — Akop & Svetlana
12
We Didn’t Leave Alone.
Akop Mkrtumyan · 18 days ago
Our hearts are full. Thank you for spending Friday evening with us. Thank you for your friendship, your prayers, your encouragement, your kind words, and for the love and support you showed us throughout the evening. It meant more to us than we can express. Seeing so many dear friends gathered in one room reminded us again that ministry has never been about one couple traveling to another country. It has always been about God’s people walking together. Many of you also became the very first people to use Mission Companion. Send us your honest feedback if this is helpful. And if you have any issues connecting to the App, please let us know. Thank you for helping us take this first step. We truly believe this is only the beginning. As we prepare to leave, we do so with grateful hearts, knowing that we are not traveling alone. Thank you for believing in us, praying for us, and becoming part of this journey. We love you all. Akop & Svetlana
7
We’d love to see you before we leave
Akop Mkrtumyan · 21 days ago
Hi friends, Before Svetlana and I leave for our RESET journey, we’d love to spend one evening with the people who have been such a special part of our lives. Please join us for dinner: 📅 Friday, July 31 🕔 5:00 PM 📍 Mosaic Club House. 715 Mosaic Blvd, Daytona Beach We’ll enjoy a meal together, share what God has been doing in our hearts, and tell you a little about the journey ahead. This isn’t a typical fundraising event—just an evening with friends before we leave. No need to bring anything. Your presence is the greatest gift to us. We hope you can come! With love, Akop & Svetlana
2
A Lesson From 35 Years
Akop Mkrtumyan · 26 days ago
After more than thirty-five years of ministry, I keep coming back to one simple lesson that took me a long time to learn. Ministry isn’t measured by how much you accomplish. It’s measured by how closely you walk with God. There were seasons when I was incredibly busy. Traveling. Preaching. Serving. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for every place God allowed us to serve, every church we visited, every friendship we made, and every person who believed in us. Those years didn’t lead us away from God. They brought us closer to Him. But following Jesus has never been about arriving at a destination. It’s about staying willing to move when He says move. That’s one of the reasons this journey is called RESET. Not because something was broken. Not because ministry failed. Not because God stopped working. But because we never want to assume that yesterday’s direction is automatically today’s direction. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is slow down long enough to ask, “Lord… am I still walking where You want me to walk?” We’re not traveling because we’ve figured everything out. We’re traveling because we want to keep following wherever He leads next. If these next eight weeks teach us anything, I hope it’s this: The greatest adventure isn’t visiting six countries. It’s learning to recognize God’s voice again—and having the courage to follow it.
8
The road ahead
Akop Mkrtumyan · about 1 month ago
Six countries, eight weeks: Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Norway. Tickets to Moldova are purchased and the Bishkek conference is confirmed. We'll share weekly stories, photos, and prayer requests right here from the field.
6
Why we're going
Akop Mkrtumyan · about 1 month ago
For months, God has pressed one phrase into our hearts: "Reset." We're returning to the soil where God first lit a fire in us — to realign with His purpose, walk with the churches who shaped our faith, and listen for what He's doing next. From August 2 through late September we'll travel through six nations, preaching where invited, serving behind the scenes. Thank you for walking this road with us.
1
RESET - Journey begins in 24 days
Akop Mkrtumyan · about 1 month ago
God has pressed one word into our hearts: RESET. We don't see the whole road — but we know the time has come to go. To the people He placed on our hearts; to the places where He first ignited our calling. This is only the beginning. For more information visit www.Akop.Live
3
Building on strong foundations
Akop Mkrtumyan · about 1 month ago
We continue building on this strong heritage. What began in 1991 in a small town in the foothills of the Ural Mountains has carried us across more than three decades and over 35 countries. For over 27 years we walked alongside Drs. Kevin and Leslie McNulty’s and the Christian Adventures International family — serving as their International Event Directors, organizing mass tent outreaches across Eurasia and the former Soviet Union. And from 2006 onward helping the McNultys coordinate worldwide crusades for Dr. T.L. Osborn, under whose preaching we also grew tremendously. Nearly everything we know about ministry, we learned in their company. We continue building on this strong heritage — with deep gratitude for those who shaped us, and hearts still open to walk together as God unfolds this next chapter. Check full Story at https://akop.live/story
1
Follow the journey
Get updates, pray along, and see your impact.