The KGB's Most Wanted: My Hero

This is the KGB's Most Wanted Man and also, my hero.

There are many truths and values I hold near and dear, and they are ones I believe that I will never forget, never compromise and never be afraid to wear on my sleeve or boldly proclaim. A phrase we often hear from a young age is “Always stand up for what you believe in” or “Never compromise” or something along those lines. Those are great phrases, ones that have been told to me and ones I have told others. It’s great advice but sometimes, it sure is easier said than done. Sometimes our beliefs and values are challenged or put to the test. Sometimes these battles are easy and sometimes these battles have us a loss for our voice. We know what to say but at the given moment, we retreat, either out of fear or discomfort, or even embarrassment. I’ve been there, I am a flawed person and sometimes I fail myself. I fail my own convictions and I fail to do the right thing.

We far too often forget to remember, that at least if you’re living in America, you have the freedom is say what you want to say and believe what you want to believe. People may disagree and go as far as to argue and come up with a vast array of names for you, but despite some verbal adversary you may face, we’ve got it pretty good here…. And yet we still can’t always manage to stand for what we believe in.

But what if it wasn’t just some name calling or brief debating on the line? What if your everything was on the line? What if your education and employment opportunities, family, financial security, home and literal life were on the line? As much as I try to process that, I don’t think I will ever fully grasp the extent of what that feels like, and I all too often forget that there are those who still very much face that reality today. People are still dying, simply for the beliefs and values they hold true.

In 2009, while participating in a pageant, I was asked the quintessential pageant question of “Who is your hero and why?” My immediate response was my grandfather. And if asked that question today, I would without a doubt give the same answer today.

My grandfather, Joseph Bondarenko, will always be my greatest hero. I am fortunate beyond words that my grandpa is still alive and well today. He has this zeal and zest for life that I can only hope to one day possess. He dreams big and passionately, he lives each day full of drive and fire and joy that cannot be dimmed. You would never suspect that for many years, he was one of the most wanted men by the Soviet Union’s military police – the KGB.

My grandfather, asa young man, was involved with the Christian church and church ministry in the former Soviet Union. The label of “Christian” in the iron grip of the Soviet society put the ultimate target on your back, and since he was a pastor, that really put the gun to his head.

My grandfather endured almost 10 years of imprisonment, torture and numerous near death experiences all because he chose to stand for the beliefs and truths he held. He rejected the way of the hammer and the sickle, becoming an enemy to the communist driven state, risking literally everything to truly stand for what he believed in. A good part of his life was spent running from police, having his house searched, being denied school and employment opportunities, and enduring starvation and torture. The stories he has told are almost unreal, but yet they are very real. Most amazing of all, is despite the life he lived, he possess more joy and passion and love for life and others than anyone else I have ever met. His smile is infectious and when he laughs, there is an ever present sparkle in his eyes. He has compassion beyond measure and forgiveness that flows freely.  He has even in the past few years, reunited with the officials who formerly imprisoned and beat him, extending forgiveness and love to them. 

I am also fortunate and beyond honored to say that my grandfather’s autobiography has finally been published in the English language, from the original Russian version. His book tells the story of the life he lived and the realities he faced, and how ultimately despite how hard the communist system tried to break his convictions and dedication to his faith, nothing could break his commitment. The presence of death threats and prison misery only further cemented his vow to what he believed in.  

As I have been reading his book, I have reflected on my own life and asked myself how I would act if placed in the same situation today. It's easy to say I would stand for what I believe in while comfortably sitting in my favorite coffee shop, sipping a latte, while being kissed by the beautiful California sun. But what would I do if in this moment if I was in a cell, starving, beaten, bruised, while a prison guard yelled "just say you don't believe or I’ll kill you.” Could I boldly say "I do believe," knowing my very life was on the line? What about you?  Could you truly stand for what you believe in and not compromise?

As a deeply flawed person, I have my share of mistakes and moments where I knew the right thing to say or do, but did the opposite or remained mum. I am a work in progress, but can't imagine a better aspiration to hold of the kind of person I want to become. My grandfather’s book has been a reminder of not only the appreciation I should hold for the country I live in, but also the kind of boldness I should possess. He could proclaim his faith in a situation of life and death, so why can't I do the same among a few critics? 

His favorite pasttime 

Joseph Bondarenko was, is and will always be my greatest hero. A man, who the KGB targeted with relentless pursuit, continues to be the ultimate, living example of boldness, commitment to faith and dedication to truth, as well as humility, grace, love and forgiveness. The KGB labeled him as "Most Wanted" and "An enemy of the state" but to me, he is my hero, my mentor, my grandfather and best of all, my best friend.

Interested in reading more about Joseph Bondarenko? Visit https://goodcallministries.org/News/1017/ and join readers around the world as they follow the story of Joseph, learning of what he faced during arrest, imprisonment, and loss of freedom for almost ten years in the merciless state of the communist driven society of the U.S.S.R.