Light Amidst Blackouts, Baptisms, and Heading to the Mountains!
Dear Partners,
This winter and spring in Odesa have been a real trial. Due to constant shelling, blackouts, and a lack of heating, most universities only returned to classes at the end of March. Many students had gone home, and we seriously worried: would anyone even show up to our English club?
But God works beyond our limitations!
8 faithful partners from the US responded to the call and came to serve the people of Odesa, and we managed to gather 60 students!
Over five days, we didn't just study the language, but deeply explored the Scriptures. The teachers sincerely shared their stories of coming to Christ, which opened the doors to dozens of personal meetings.
Good News: New Lives in Christ!
God is doing miracles! Last week, we witnessed something beautiful: Maks (who is being discipled by one of my own student) and Nastia (mentored by our staff member Ira) were baptized!
Their journey of faith is a true testament to God's grace. They repented two years ago, stepped up to become volunteers, and started dating.
The Harvest Continues
Yarik & Ruslana
Over the past two weeks, two more students from our English Club — Yarik and Ruslana — invited Christ into their lives! Ruslana has been actively attending events since last year and recently decided to repent after spiritual meetings with our staff member Karina and volunteer Anika.
Yarik had been attending church for a while and having personal meetings with the guys. Last week, during one of these meetings, he made the firm decision to follow God. We are so grateful to God for these miracles!
Another Yaroslav
One Step Away from the Light: One of the guys I meet with regularly through our Worldview project is a student named Yaroslav. He sincerely expressed a desire to become a Christian, but he is still battling certain spiritual obstacles.
In two weeks, I am organizing a Carpathian hiking trip for 12 male students. It will be a time to break away from the city's hustle and bustle, contemplate the beauty of nature, and talk about God. I challenged Yaroslav to make his final decision about Christ after this trip. Please keep him in your prayers!
From Students to Brothers-in-Arms
God is amazingly expanding my influence and calling. As a veteran myself, I feel an acute, growing need to serve military personnel and veterans. They have uniquely faced the darkness and trauma of war, and they need the hope of the Gospel now more than ever.
To faithfully follow this calling while ensuring our student ministry remains strong, I am initiating a strategic transition. Until the end of 2026, my role will be split: I will serve part-time as the Campus Odesa Team Leader, continuing to guide our students, and part-time laying the groundwork for this new veterans' ministry. Then, starting in January 2027, I will transition to serving full-time with veterans. I am incredibly excited about this new chapter and ask for your prayers as we navigate this transition!
Life Between the Shelter and Hope
Our little son Nazar is growing and delights us every day with new discoveries. But the reality of war remains with us due to the Russian shelling of Odesa, we are often forced to spend our nights in bomb shelters.
It is exhausting, but it's in these moments that we feel your prayerful support the most.
A Thought for You
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
When we sit in a dark shelter, I often think about this verse. The darkness of war, blackouts, or spiritual obstacles sometimes seems insurmountable. But the Light of Christ is always stronger.
Thank you for being bearers of this Light together with us.
Please, pray for us
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Praise: For an incredible English club with 60 students and 8 brave partners from the US, and for a fully funded mountain trip!
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For the New Believers: Praise God for Maks, Nastya, Yarik, and Ruslana! Please pray for other students having one-on-one spiritual meetings.
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For the Carpathian Trip: For safety on the trails, good weather, and open hearts for the 12 guys as we hike.
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For the veterans' ministry: For wisdom for me in developing this critically important direction.
🔥 A New Fire for Ministry
Thank you for your constant prayers for our team. We are witnessing a unique spiritual awakening right now; both our staff and volunteers are exceptionally "on fire" for the mission. This renewed passion gives us the strength to push forward despite the external circumstances. We truly feel the Lord is preparing something special for our youth.
Partner With Us
We are so grateful that you are standing with us. Your presence is felt deeply, despite the distance! If you feel led to support our ministry financially, here is how you can do it:
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How can we pray for YOU?
Partnership is a two-way street. While you hold us up in prayer during these difficult times in Ukraine, we want to lift you up as well. Please, don't hesitate to write back to us. What are your current struggles or joys? Let us fight your battles in prayer together.