First Church
a place to belong
Pastor Lydia
Rev. Lydia Istomina is from Ekaterinburg, Russia where she started the very first Methodist Church after 70 years of atheism. Lydia Istomina was the very first woman pastor in Russia. Now there are more women in Russia serving the UMC than men. After a career in electrochemistry, and nine years as CEO of the Russian non-profit association Znanie (Knowledge), she came to lead a church of almost 1000 members. Lydia serves the First UMC in Raytown since 2004 after nine years of ministry in Kansas City, KS, where she served Grinter Chapel, Edwardsville, Central Avenue and Piper United Methodist Churches. Lydia Istomina is a graduate of St. Paul School of Theology.
Pastor Lydia
Pastor Lydia Istomina
Senior Pastor
