Ukraine

Most towns and villages of Ukraine still lack anyplace where people can gather to hear the Word of God. A growing number of church planters are trying to change that, especially in Crimea. In 1997, we began working with Ukrainian church leaders from throughout Crimea in a program designed specifically to train church planters. So far, we have held 3 two-year courses and trained 50+ men, who have started over 100 churches. A fourth course of training church planters is currently underway.

Renovations are being completed on a building in Feodosia, which is called the Efas Training Center/Hotel. It is a hotel during the summer tourist season, which will provide a local source of income for church-planting projects. The other months of the year, Efas serves as a training facility.

We also serve in medical ministry out of Feodosia, connecting with the church planters’ ministry for double impact in the villages. Recently, team members located in a small village to participate in church-planting efforts among an unreached people group. A successful ministry to children in many villages provides day camps (like Vacation Bible School) for younger children and true camping experiences for teens.

In the city of Berdyansk, we work alongside a growing church in its outreach to the city and surrounding villages that are untouched by the Gospel. Ministry also focuses on the deaf and hearing impaired, university students, children in the villages, and an unreached people group.

In Lviv, we have worked with an established church to develop small groups, leaders, Bible study, outreach, and a marriage counseling program. In 2007, a new church was launched because of the success of the small groups. In 2008, we began outreach to university students toward building community and to challenge students to faith in Christ.