‍“I just want to be loved,” shared Vlad, a young man Steiger missionary Pasha and his team met at the Motherland indie festival this summer. His words revealed a deep ache that so many in the global youth culture carry: the longing for real love, identity, and belonging.

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Motherland was a dream come true for the Steiger Russia team. “For years we prayed about being present at festivals,” Pasha explained. “We wanted to be right there with young people, where they are, in their world. This summer, it finally happened.” Thousands of young people came to the festival, many of them hurting, but also open to conversation, friendship, and even spiritual encounters.

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Before the festival began, the team spent time in prayer, asking God to highlight who they should connect with. During one of these times, Anna from the Russia team saw a vivid image in her mind: someone with long golden hair, dressed in bright pink. She didn’t know what it meant, but she carried that picture with her into the festival. Later in the crowd, she suddenly spotted Vlad. His appearance matched what she had seen so clearly in prayer. Anna walked up to him, complimented his shirt, and struck up a conversation.

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Vlad was from St. Petersburg and had come to the festival alone. He quickly opened up about his life, sharing that he struggled with a personality disorder, had attempted suicide, and was currently working in webcam sex shows. “I just want to be loved,” he admitted.

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Anna listened and then began to share about God’s real love through Christ. She explained that the love of Jesus is not based on performance or exploitation, but is freely given to us. Right there at the festival, she invited Vlad to pray for the very first time.

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When he returned home, Vlad took a bold step: he went to church. There, he gave his life to Jesus, made new friends, and began growing quickly in his faith. Just a few days later, he made an even more radical decision. Despite the financial security his webcam job provided, he chose to quit. “For me, salvation matters more than anything,” he explained.

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Now, Vlad is experiencing peace and clarity he hasn’t felt in years. He prays daily, is actively involved in his church community, and continues to grow in his new relationship with Jesus.

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Vlad came to the festival searching for love and meaning. But God met him right there in the middle of the music, the noise, the crowd. And now, his life is completely transformed.

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