Meet Petr Buzyan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Petr Buzyan. 

Hi Petr, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Becoming a pastor really all started for me when I was born in Ukraine, and my parents moved here to United States when I was three. I moved here with my family on a religious refugee visa. My Great Grandparents, Grandparents, and parents were all persecuted for being Christians in Soviet Union at that time. My great grandfather spent 1o years in prison for being a preacher, leaving behind 8 kids and a wife. My mom and dad could not make anything above a D in school because they were Christians. So, they applied for asylum to the United States in 1994, and we moved here to this country for a better life and freedom to worship Jesus freely. 

I grew up in church and it was a regular part of our lifestyle. How could it not?! After years and years of persecution we now had place where we could freely worship Jesus in the USA. 

This is not where we not only had community but a place I learned about Jesus, to love people well, and serve our community through volunteering with different non-profit organizations. 

Faith was always important to us, but what was also equally important to my parents was to love and care for all people well. So, I am thankful that this was the value we grew up around. Growing up, I always wanted to make a difference. We grew up very poor most of my life, and so different organizations like the salvation army helped us get on our feet as immigrants. 

These are the type of organizations that I knew one day I would want to be a part of. Making an impact was something I thought I would be able to do through sports. I played soccer throughout my high school and college days, where I got a scholarship to play but also get an education. 

After my bachelors in political science and pre-law, there was this internal desire to further my understanding of faith and who God was in my life. So, I furthered my studies and pursued a degree in Biblical Studies and pastor leadership. 

This is where at the age of 24, I knew God was calling me into ministry, and I knew I wanted to serve through the local church. I did not even care if it was on staff or as a pastor. I just wanted to make a difference just like my great grandparents, grandparents, and parents. So, when I graduated, I went on to be a part of a church my brother introduced me to that was in Charlotte, NC. Called Elevation Church. It was a church that was started in 2006 my Pastor Steven & Holly Furtick. In 2016 when I graduated, I knew I wanted to be a part of this church. So, I started helping out with the guests greeting team helping out with the children’s ministry as well. My younger brother Tim and I were helping start a location of our church where I lived currently at that time in Asheville, NC. 

This became the doorway in which I came on staff in 2017 at Elevation Church. Five years later, I never imagined being a pastor and leading one of our church’s locations here in Orlando with my wife Jess and some incredible staff and volunteers. 

Elevation Church – Orlando started with 12 people in the fall of 2019, and on Jan 26th, 2020, we launched our first Sunday service with 758 people. 7 weeks later, the pandemic hit, and we shifted online. Like everyone else in the world, we were trying to figure out how to come alongside people in a scary and unpredictable time. One thing about the people and volunteers of Elevation Church here in Orlando is they are resilient. They will do anything to serve and love on Greater Orlando. So that’s what we did. Despite the building being closed throughout 2020, the people of Elevation Orlando served wholeheartedly with organizations like Salvation Army, SALT Outreach, One Heart for Women & Children, Second Harvest Foodbank, Edgewood Children’s Ranch, and many other organizations. Packing and distributing food, hygiene kits, school supplies as kids returned to in-person learning, diaper kits for moms, and any other needs that would arise within our community. Because of the generosity of the people of our church, we were able to help people pay for their rent or food when they needed! 

I could not be more proud of the people of Elevation Church – Orlando! They are the most loving, generous, kind, selfless, and fun people on the planet! Since the launch of Elevation Church – Orlando we have been able to serve over 200,000 unique volunteer hrs. as a church. Because of the generous people of our church, we have been able to give over $400,000 dollars into various non-profit organizations in our city so they can continue to do good work in our city. 

We love this city and are honored to partner with so many other incredible churches and non-profits who are caring and loving on our city! I never could have imagined to do what I am doing today and being able to do it with so many amazing people here in Orlando. My wife and I, Jess (and our future lil guy Emerson who is due Aug 28th) love the people we get to do life with, and our incredible church is family to us. We are excited for what’s ahead and to continue to See What God Can Do Through all of us as we come together and believe for a better Orlando! 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Some of the struggles were persecution for our faith in Ukraine, aka Soviet Union at that time. 

Moving here as immigrants and the challenges that come with that. Like cultural and language barriers. 

Growing up poor. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a pastor here in Orlando for our Elevation Church location. It was the 2oth location we launched as Elevation Church here in Orlando in 2020. My wife Jess and I had the opportunity to do that here. 

I am most proud of my wife, Jess, who is incredible in every way! She loves and serves people so well, values them in every conversation. Here compassion and empathy for people makes me better! I am truly a better person, husband, and pastor because of her! 

I am also SO proud of the people of Elevation Church! They love people well and truly outwork the hands and feet of Jesus in every way! Their heart for our city is unmatched! I am better in every way because of them! 

I think one thing people will remember me as I hope…is that I love to be around people, and I love to inspire and encourage others always! I want people to leave a conversation with me, believing more and more in themselves and what God has laid on their heart! That they have a purpose and a bright future! 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I know 3 languages. Ukrainian, Russian, and of course, English.

I had the opportunity to play collegiate soccer. I’ve lived in 11 different cities. I sang in a kids choir growing up.

Contact Info:

• Website: elevationorlando.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbuzyan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petr.buzyan
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/elevationorlando/