Ex-Atheist Who Escaped Communism Becomes Christian YouTube Star

Ruslan KD is a podcaster, performer, influencer, refugee and, most importantly: a believer. His powerful cultural commentaries are seen around social media, offering powerful, biblical takes on the issues of the day. But it's his origin story some might not be familiar with — a journey filled with pain, doubt, and eventual surrender. "I'm ... ethnically Armenian," Ruslan recently told CBN News. "My father is full Armenian. My mother is adopted by an Armenian family in Azerbaijan — Baku. So, that's the city we come from is Baku, right in the Middle East off the Caspian Sea." Ruslan noted this region is well-known for its tensions, with Armenians being mistreated, targeted, and even killed. The Armenian Genocide, which began in 1915, is one of the most horrific examples of the dire situations that have plagued the region. Ruslan said "by the grace of God" they were able to get out of Baku and stayed in Moscow before immigrating to the United States in 1991 when he was just 6 years old. The family had applied for refugee status in Israel, Australia, and America, thus Ruslan said his life could have gone many different ways. In the end, though, the U.S. became his home. He recalled being mesmerized at seeing his first grocery store in America, a place that appeared like a dream compared to what he faced in his home country. "That's how different America was in contrast to what we had experienced in under Soviet Baku, lining up for food rations," Ruslan said. "I remember we would have a tub of water that we'd have to share amongst my family — my dad, and my mom, and my grandparents." This experience and the opportunities America has afforded Ruslan have made him "substantially more appreciative" of the U.S. He shares how he went from abuse and chaos — and a place where he believed "there is no God" — to a place of faith and becoming a prominent Christian social media influencer. Ultimately, Ruslan hopes to inspire those who watch his videos and pay attention to his commentaries to examine their lives and cling closer to the Lord. "What I'm trying to do with everything we're talking about is to encourage, empower, and inspire people to live a life that blesses God," he said. Listen to his full story.