OUR STORY
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From one boy's struggle in post-Soviet Moldova to God's ministry across two countries — and beyond.
1990s
In the 1990s in Moldova, life was a struggle for Nick and his family after the fall of the Soviet Union. At just fourteen years old he took on any job he could find, often working through the night, so his parents wouldn't bear the burden alone. His father passed away unexpectedly, and Nick, an only child with no one to lean on, lost his way for a time — stealing became commonplace just to meet basic needs. He had nothing to look forward to and no understanding of the value of life. But God's story for him was only beginning.
1995
Then God began bringing people into Nick's life. It started with his cousin Serghei, who invited him to join an amateur basketball team in 1995. Nick had never played the game before, but it quickly became his passion. Most of the players were members of Kishinev Bible Church — founded, together with Moldova Bible Seminary, by Ron and Dorcas Helton. When coaches from Texas organized a gospel-focused sports camp that summer, Nick was all ears. Through their encouragement, Nick recognized his need for a Savior and gave his life to Christ. The Lord gave purpose to his life — to serve Him and His people.
1997–1998
Nick entered the Bible seminary, where God kept weaving people into his story. Terry — his first English teacher — became a friend and mentor from that day to this; Terry later served on the Admirals board, and the two have walked through many seasons of life together. Brent Helton discipled Nick through those first years at the seminary. In Nick's second year, coach Fred Currie came to Moldova for the first time — Nick became Fred's first interpreter and lived alongside the whole mission group. Over the years, Fred became like a father to him. That same year Nick stumbled upon the testimony of NBA legend David Robinson. Inspired, he translated it into Russian and began distributing it, which led to the creation of "The Race" — an evangelical sports ministry at Kishinev Bible Church that Serghei helped found. Years later, Serghei became a pastor at that same church. Shortly after, Nick and his friend Lawson Sampson gathered to pray — in a closet room at the Bible seminary — for the opportunity to meet "The Admiral" himself.
They prayed in a closet room at the seminary, no less — unsure of where that prayer would end up, they trusted it in God's hands.
2001
In 2001, with the support of Pete & Joyce Velasquez, who often came on short-term trips to teach at the Bible Seminary, Nick traveled to the US to meet Coach Don Eddy and learn how to grow an evangelistic basketball ministry in Moldova. He received that and more — gaining another father figure in Don. When Nick returned, he joined the staff of Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Cru, and his mission expanded to adults in the professional and semi-professional arena.
2002
As a new Athletes in Action staff member, Nick helped organize a mission trip to Ukraine. The trip took place a year later, in 2002 — without Nick. Among those who heard David Robinson's testimony and the Gospel was Leonid, a seventeen-year-old professional basketball player. He came home and made the decision to follow Christ. Nick knew nothing about it — and wouldn't for many years. But God did.
2003
Meanwhile, Nick's future wife Uliana walked her own difficult journey. After her father tragically died in 2000, she wrestled with many questions — and in 2001, through a local Evangelical church, she found her identity in Jesus Christ. God had given her a love of sports and a skill at volleyball. At an Athletes in Action sports conference in 2003, Nick and Uliana met among the participants. Within a year they were married!
2005
In 2005, God answered Nick's "closet prayer" — and He used Fred to do it. At a bible study in San Antonio, Fred introduced Nick to David Robinson, even though Fred and David had never known each other. Nick told David about the influence he had had on his life and basketball program. Their friendship blossomed over time — yet Nick was left wondering: why did God answer my prayer?
2001–2008
Nick served with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Cru, from 2001 to 2008, and afterwards took on leadership positions within the International Sports Coalition. In those years a partnership with Christians in Sport began — one that continues to this day. And it was here that God revealed a greater mission — the vision of establishing a Basketball Academy!
2011
In 2011, Nick presented the academy idea to David and asked to use his nickname, "The Admiral," for the organization's name — and received a 'no'. But one year later, when the ministry had taken more form, David felt compelled to ask: "How can I help this organization?" Without hesitation Nick responded: allow us to name the program 'The Admirals Basketball Program.'
This time the answer was a resounding YES!
2012
In 2012, the Admirals Basketball Academy took off, starting in Moldova. The ABA adopted David Robinson's spiritual disciplines from his testimony as its foundational principles. Soon God brought young people from all corners of Moldova together on basketball courts with a common purpose: learning not only how to win at basketball, but what winning looks like when we follow Jesus Christ.
2014
In 2014, Darryl Lyons and J.K. Leonard of San Antonio, TX joined the work, and the academy was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Texas. That same year, Leonid received the David Robinson award — and only then did Nick learn what God had begun in Ukraine twelve years earlier. Now many alums serve alongside Nick & Uliana, making an eternal impact through Admirals Basketball Academy!
2019
In 2018, Leonid finished his professional basketball career — and in 2019 he started Admirals in Ukraine. The seed planted on that mission trip in 2002 had grown into a ministry of its own, and the story that began with one testimony now continues in two countries.
2025
In the fall of 2025, the circle closed: Leonid met David Robinson in person — twenty-three years after hearing his testimony as a seventeen-year-old on that mission trip. The young man whose life was changed by David's story now leads the Admirals ministry in Ukraine.
What began with a prayer in a closet now serves youth in two countries.
And the story is still being written. Join us.