A powerful and inspirational speaker, writer and singer, Rev. Lydia Istomina is a force to contend with. A native of Russia, she is not afraid of being stereotyped as a "mysterious Russian soul" or a symbol of "eternal femininity." Lydia's home town is located right on the border between Europe and Asia and that invisible line between two worlds became her identity. Two traditions have fueled her creativity with the best spiritual illuminations of both the West and the East.

As a minister, Lydia served as an instrument of negotiating the US-Russian Aid Airlift in 1992. Lydia’s heart was always divided between preaching the Word and social justice. To help bridge the two, her church in Russia started a prison ministry, four soup kitchens, a pre-school, a shelter for troubled teenagers and a medical clinic. To find out more about the revival of Methodism in Russia in the 1990s, please visit www.lifeofasoul.com.

Lydia was on the national radio program “Russian America” in February 2007 twice. She told her life story and also performed her short comedy to Russian speaking immigrants in America and Canada.

Lydia’s first book, ”Bringing Hidden Things to Light,” (Abingdon Press, 1996) describes her way to Christ during the dramatic changes in Russia right after the fall of the Soviet Union. Her latest book, “From Misery to Mystery,” with more information at www.miserytomystery.com, presents an enticing and very personal account of her life in America, especially in the Kansas City Area, as a woman, a foreigner, a pastor, and just as a regular human being. Her articles and stories are published in the Methodist magazines and newspapers around the world. She also keeps a blog site, http://ligooshka.blogspot.com

Lydia Istomina has a Masters degree in Theology and is currently working on her Doctorate from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO.

Lydia the writer

Her songs and short stories represent the right balance between intellect and sacrifice, creativity and deep meditation, search for truth and compassion, complexity and simplicity.

She is a published author, with published works including her books and her contributions to the Kansas City Star, Response Magazine, and The Kansan.

Lydia the musician

Lydia has studied voice with Dr. Charles Beard of University of Missouri, Kansas City, accordion with Betty Jo Simon, championship winning accordionist, and percussion with Doug Auwarter. She has also studied jazz vocal stylings with Everette DeVan and jazz piano with Rich Hill. She has performed with John Anthony of the NY Metropolitan Opera and Will Wiggins of the San Francisco Opera.

Lydia's voice is warm and sultry. Some have commented that her voice has "healing qualities"...and they listen to her CD's over and over again. Lydia takes a risk to open up her soul right in front of the audience to help people to get a fresh look on life. Her irony, edginess and sometimes gentle sarcasm disarm even the most hard-shelled listeners. Lydia helps people to look at themselves through lens of truth.

More information on her work and passions can be found on www.lydiaistomina.com

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