Odesa, located on the Black Sea, is Ukraine’s third largest city, a regional vacation destination, and a hub for shipping and education. When the MTW Odesa team first arrived here in the 90s, people were hungry for spiritual truth. But as western culture has gained influence during the last decade, the Ukrainian people are increasingly less open to the gospel. Also, as the war with Russia rages heavily in this city, our pastors and partners in the area are still working to provide relief and ministry to the war-torn people.

The Odesa team works with Ukrainian churches to develop leaders and help congregations, mostly comprised of first-generation believers, to mature. We also aim to reach future leaders through our English and university outreaches, and to help train the next generation of American missionaries who will help work with Ukrainian believers to advance the Church and the gospel throughout the former Soviet Union.