Event Report on Virtual Visit to Chernihiv, Ukraine
Written by Andrew Browne
On 7th May we hosted a stimulating and informative evening with approximately 30 people who joined over Zoom to hear first-hand from our friends in the Ukraine and to pray for one another.
Daniel Trusiewicz, who co-ordinates EBF mission partnerships, spoke of the “good fruit” that has resulted from the collaboration with IBN.
He reminded us that there are there are approximately 1.5 million Baptists across 60 nations in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. There has been good growth, especially in Eastern Europe, and the total number of churches stands between 15,000 and 16,000.
EBF is continuing to support indigenous church planting and has recently been encouraged by emerging opportunities in Syria and Armenia, and amongst Ukrainian refugees who have fled the country. He spoke of the continuing need for leadership of new churches and the opportunities in lands such as Egypt.
Daniel is planning to retire at the end of the year and will be replaced by Cesar Sotomayor, who is currently living in Austria. Dorothy McMillan thanked Daniel for all the work he had done to promote mission partnerships and wished him God’s blessing in his retirement.
Turning the focus to Ukraine, Roman Wecherkovskiy , who co-ordinates mission within the Ukrainian Baptist Union, brought greetings and thanks for both the prayers and financial support from Ireland.
He reminded us that the conflict with Russia has been going on for ten years and that life is becoming more difficult every day for those who have remained in Ukraine. Pastors are now being drafted into the army as combat troops and there is a shortage of pastors for the 1800 Baptist churches that still operate (400 less than at the start of the war).
We then heard from Ilya Vysotskiy, who joined us from his car in Chernihiv. He brought encouraging news from his church, where a third baptismal service has taken place since they opened. There are also clubs for children and young people and they have been able to run a camp for disadvantaged children. After two older men were baptised, they have now established four Bible study groups for men and women in the 50/60+ age range, which has attracted many non-believers. More than half the leadership team of the church are undertaking formal courses of Bible study, including the worship leader, the youth leader and Ilya himself.
Ilya requested prayer for the following:
- the effects of mobilisation on the ministry;
- the numbers thinking about leaving the country;
- the role of the orthodox Church; and
- the further work required to the building where they meet, and provision for the Winter months when heating is a problem.
In response to a question about living conditions, Ilya commented on the missile attack on Chernihiv on 17th April that killed 18 people. He spoke of the damage to his own property and the effect on his family when their windows all came into their apartment. Ilya is married to Victoria, and they have 3 children, Benjamin (9), Alison (6) and Luke (2 months).
This led to an open time of prayer and fellowship. We were grateful to Guennadi for his services as a translator throughout the evening, which was a blessing to all.
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