Saint Petersburg, Russia | What Investing in One Young Adult Can Do
Novo staff Lyle Thomas has been committed to patiently investing in emerging leaders and is now seeing some incredible fruit as a result. This personal story is from Anya, a young woman Lyle recognized as a potential leader. Her testimony, told in her own words, is a window into the kind of formation that happens when people are seen, honored, and empowered rather than controlled—and into the kind of leaders God is raising up through this work in Russia:
“You can do this. Talk to God about it. Love them anyway.”
“My path to ministry began with profound healing. For most of my life, I carried a distorted image of a tormentor God, imposed on me in childhood. I was spiritually broken, yet my heart held an unquenchable thirst—to know the real God and to find a meaning that transcended career or family.
“Lyle showed me a different reality. He didn’t dismiss my questions; he patiently and respectfully answered every single one. He confirmed that my yearning for a loving Father was the truest thing about me.
“Lyle had a supernatural grace to ‘carry’ me through my mess. When other leaders would have told me to avoid a difficult situation, he would say, ‘You can do this. Talk to God about it. Love them anyway.’ This unwavering belief—and his refusal to let me take an easier, lesser path—taught me what true discipleship looks like. It empowers rather than enables.
“God began awakening the leadership gift he had placed in me since childhood. Lyle and the Novo team didn’t just support it—they blessed and directed it. They saw my ‘inconvenient’ curiosity and passion not as a threat, but as potential for influence.
“They entrusted me with responsibility, began to train me, and for the first time, I felt that my desire to lead people could be used by God.
“It was through Novo that I was first introduced to Disciple-Making Movements (DMM), which gave language and structure to the multiplication I felt God calling me toward.
“Today, that calling has become a concrete ministry. I now lead a growing movement centered on Discovery Bible Studies (DBS). We are currently connected with over 160 people in our main chat group, and already about 25 young and emerging leaders from cities across Russia have begun facilitating their own DBS groups. We are seeing the first fruits of a movement.
“By the end of 2026, our faith goal is to see 200 trained leaders actively facilitating groups and creating multiple generations of disciples. To move toward this, we are developing digital outreach, culturally relevant training resources, and a support structure for emerging leaders.
“My own journey—from a wounded seeker to a movement leader—reflects God’s heart to see every person, regardless of their past, become a catalyst for his Kingdom.”
