For more than two decades, Elizabeth (Raisa) Badaratskaya has devoted her life to Christian ministry, prayer, and helping people through difficult seasons of life. Two years ago, Elizabeth arrived in the United States from Ukraine. Since then, she has continued her ministry in a new country, becoming involved with churches and prayer gatherings in New York while also maintaining an online presence where she shares Scripture, prays for people, and connects with women through conferences and ministry events.
The CityTodayNexus editorial team first took notice of Elizabeth through her work on social media and later followed her ministry activities in New York. Her story — spanning Ukraine, the United States, Bulgaria, and Germany — led us to sit down with her for a conversation about faith, service, helping people overcome addiction, and what it means to continue a calling far from home.
FROM UKRAINE TO NEW YORK
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Elizabeth, thank you for joining us. We wanted to talk with you about your ministry and the journey that brought you to the United States. We understand that you spent many years serving in Ukraine and that you were a lead pastor of churches there. Today, we see you continuing your ministry here in America. Tell us how it all began.
Elizabeth: Thank you for inviting me and for taking an interest in my ministry. I have been serving God and praying for people for 25 years. I believe this is a calling that God placed in my heart. He gave me certain spiritual gifts, and I try to use them to serve people. I believe that what God gives us is not meant to be kept only for ourselves. I don't want to hold on to what I have received. I want to give it to others and serve people who need prayer, encouragement, and support.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: How many churches did you establish in Ukraine?
Elizabeth: I established four churches in Ukraine, where I served as the lead pastor.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: What were the main areas of ministry in those churches?
Elizabeth: One of the areas God gave me was ministry through prayer for healing. When I prayed for people, some shared testimonies of improvement in their health and what they believed were healings from different illnesses. There were people who testified about healing from cancer, spinal problems, joint pain, pain in their legs, and other health conditions. Another important area was deliverance ministry — praying with people who were seeking spiritual help and freedom from different forms of addiction and spiritual oppression. We also worked with people struggling with addiction, opened rehabilitation centers, and helped direct people toward places where they could receive practical assistance and support. For me, it has always been important not only to pray for a person, but also to help them take a step toward a new life.
WHEN WAR CHANGED EVERYTHING
CITYTODAYNEXUS: When did your work in Ukraine change?
Elizabeth: When the war began, I had to move much of the church ministry and our gatherings online. But the ministry did not stop. We continued holding prayer meetings online, praying for people and supporting those who reached out for spiritual encouragement. It showed me once again that ministry is not limited by the walls of a church building or by a particular city. Even when people are separated by distance, you can still pray with them and support them.
A NEW CHAPTER IN AMERICA
CITYTODAYNEXUS: What are you doing today here in the United States?
Elizabeth: After coming to America, I joined Holy Freedom Church, where Pastor Igor Ashkenadze serves as pastor. Pastor Igor opened the door for me and gave me an opportunity to continue my ministry. I am very grateful to him for that. I now conduct separate prayer services at the church. We gather together, pray for people, and seek God's guidance.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Where is the church located, and when do your prayer services take place?
Elizabeth: The church is located at 11 Brighton Beach, No. 190, Brooklyn, New York. Pastor Igor holds the main service on Sundays at 5 p.m. On Tuesdays, he has kindly allowed me to use the church building for a separate prayer service. Every Tuesday at 8 p.m., we gather for prayer. During these meetings, people come with different needs and concerns. We pray together, seek God's direction, and I serve through what I believe are the spiritual gifts God has given me, including words of knowledge and prophetic ministry.
HELPING PEOPLE FACING ADDICTION
CITYTODAYNEXUS: We understand that a significant part of your ministry has involved people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. Tell us about that work.
Elizabeth: Yes, that was an important part of my ministry. I felt called to go into places where many people were afraid to go. I would visit places where people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction gathered. Often, I went alone. I talked with people, prayed with them, and shared a message of God's love and hope. Many people made decisions to change their lives. Over the years, I helped connect people with rehabilitation centers.
For me, it was a great joy to see people given an opportunity to leave their past behind and begin a new life. I believe people need more than prayer. They also need practical help, support, and someone willing to walk alongside them as they take the first steps toward change.
CHARITY AND HELP DURING THE WAR
CITYTODAYNEXUS: You have also been involved in charitable work. Can you tell us about that?
Elizabeth: Yes. Helping people has always been an important part of my ministry. During the war in Ukraine, we became especially active in helping people who were facing extremely difficult circumstances. We provided food and essential supplies, supported families, and tried to be there for people who needed help the most. I believe that genuine faith should not be expressed only through words. It should also be demonstrated through acts of love, compassion, and mercy.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Did the war completely change the way you served people?
Elizabeth: In many ways, yes. I had to move part of the ministry online. Despite the distance, we continued prayer meetings, supported families, prayed for people, and stayed connected with those who needed spiritual encouragement. For me, it was another reminder that a calling to serve people is not limited to one location.
MINISTRY BEYOND UKRAINE
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Besides Ukraine and the United States, where else have you had the opportunity to minister?
Elizabeth: God opened doors for ministry in different countries. In 2022, I was invited to Bulgaria. For one month, I conducted two services every day in different cities and villages. We ministered in Sofia, Simeonovgrad, Yambol, and other communities. Later, another door opened in Germany. In 2023, I conducted prayer services in Berlin and Bavaria.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: What were those services like?
Elizabeth: We prayed with people, and many shared their personal testimonies afterward. People spoke about receiving spiritual encouragement, finding renewed strength, receiving answers to prayers, and gaining direction. For me, the most important thing is seeing someone regain hope and become stronger in their faith.
RECOGNITION IN BULGARIA
CITYTODAYNEXUS: We also heard that your ministry in Bulgaria received official recognition. Is that correct?
Elizabeth: Yes. During my time of ministry in Sofia, the leadership of the Apostolic Churches of Bulgaria recognized my ministry, and I was presented with an official certificate. It was a great honor for me and a sign of trust from church leadership. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve people and for the doors that have opened in different countries.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Who else invited you to minister?
Elizabeth: God opened doors through many ministers. Bishop Zhelyazko Milev of the Apostolic Churches of Bulgaria provided special support. The pastors Mikhail and Danka and their family also invited me on several occasions to conduct prayer services. Through these invitations, I had opportunities to serve people in different cities in Bulgaria and Germany.
A MINISTRY THAT CONTINUES
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Today, you are continuing this ministry in New York. What does this new chapter mean to you?
Elizabeth: I am very grateful to be able to continue serving here in New York. I am especially thankful to Pastor Igor Ashkenadze for opening the doors of Holy Freedom Church and giving me the opportunity to continue. Every Tuesday at 8 p.m., we hold a prayer service. We pray for people, seek God's guidance, and provide spiritual encouragement. For me, it is both a great responsibility and a great joy.
“IF A DOOR OPENS FOR MINISTRY, I AM READY TO COME”
CITYTODAYNEXUS: Elizabeth, we have talked about your past and your current ministry. What would you like to say to our readers?
Elizabeth: I want to tell every person: never lose hope. Whatever circumstances you may be facing, don't be afraid to ask for help, to pray, or to begin again. I have seen many times how faith, prayer, and support can help people make it through extremely difficult circumstances. I want people to remember that they are not alone. There is always hope, and it is never too late to take a step toward a new life.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: And what would you like to say to churches, Christian communities, and organizations that may want to invite you to minister?
Elizabeth: I want people to know that I am open to invitations. If there is a church, prayer group, Christian community, conference, or another gathering where people need prayer, spiritual encouragement, and ministry, I would be happy to come if God opens that door. I don't limit my ministry to one location. If there is an opportunity to serve people, pray with them, share God's Word, and encourage those who are going through difficult circumstances, I am willing to come. For me, it is not about the location or the number of people. What matters most is having the opportunity to be useful and to do what I believe God has called me to do.
CITYTODAYNEXUS: So if a church or Christian organization would like to invite you for a prayer service, conference, or another ministry event, they can reach out to you?
Elizabeth: Yes, absolutely. If people would like to invite me to serve, I am open to it. I am willing to travel wherever there is an opportunity to serve people and where God opens the door.
A FINAL WORD FROM CITYTODAYNEXUS
For CityTodayNexus, this conversation was an opportunity to introduce our readers to a woman whose journey of Christian ministry has taken her from Ukraine to the United States and beyond. For 25 years, Elizabeth Badaratskaya says she has dedicated her life to prayer, ministry, helping people facing difficult circumstances, and serving communities wherever doors have opened. Today, that journey continues in New York. We thank Elizabeth for sharing her story with CityTodayNexus and for allowing our readers to learn more about her journey, her ministry, and her vision for the future.
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