Yet despite his success and some measure of fame, Igor was dissatisfied. Until in 1982 through a spectacular encounter with God he came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, his Jewish Messiah. Igor was filled with the Spirit of God and was instantly called into the ministry of Christ. That day Igor abandoned all he was involved in and began to preach the gospel. The next month, he went to Bible College and then into Seminary. He pastored a church for 8 years and then for 6 and a half years he was a full time missionary to the Russian Jews, until God called him out and Freedom Ministries International was born.
	Born to Jewish parents in the former USSR, Igor grew up knowing he was Jewish, but with no belief in God. At age 16, Igor received the highest achievement award bestowed on a Soviet athlete, Master of Sport of the USSR in acrobatics. He graduated from Volgograd University, served in the Soviet Army and became a star of the prestigious Moscow Circus. In 1975 Igor immigrated to the United States. There he became the owner of the largest acrogymnastics school in the country. He won 4 times in a row United States National Championship and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Athletes. He appeared in numerous national TV Shows including Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin.
Igor is married to his wife Teresa who is a fellow minister with him. Together they have three wonderful children: Emmanuella, Esther and Joshua.