HOPE FOR UKRAINE
We are seeking to raise funds to bring relief to the refugees, support to the brave pastors who remain with their churches, and make plans for rebuilding.
WHO WE ARE
Mission to the World has been working in Ukraine since the earliest days of her independence in the 1990s. Through God’s amazing providence, we have seen Him raise up 15 churches having a total of approximately 1,000 members, establish the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine (EPCU) as a new denomination, and begin a seminary. Many of the cities in which these churches exist have come under attack as Russia invades the country. We are appealing for your help for the sake of the churches, the pastors, and the people of these churches.
By the time you read this, the statistics regarding the refugee crisis in Ukraine will have ballooned. As of today, millions of Ukrainians are crossing the borders of their homeland into neighboring countries. They have no certainty of ever seeing their homes or families again. Due to martial law, men from 18 to 60 years of age are not allowed to leave the country. As a result, many families are separated as fathers kiss their wives and children goodbye and send them westward to safety. It is widely believed that as many as 5,000,000 people will be displaced as a result of the war. Some of the refugees will evacuate the most dangerous areas of the country, but choose to remain in Ukraine. The cities in the western portion of the country have already been overwhelmed by the arrival of these refugees.
WHERE WE ARE
We are seeking to raise funds to bring relief to the refugees, support to the brave pastors who remain with their churches, and make plans for rebuilding. Our original goal was $2 million but as the crisis has evolved and escalated, we realize that there are many, many more needs than we anticipated. There are immense needs now but as the dust settles the needs will be even greater as we rebuild and replant churches. We have a large team at work in the western city of Lviv and are partnering with churches and mission teams in neighboring countries.
What follows is our vision for how we can accomplish these things. Please remember that this is our plan today. Due to the extremely fluid nature of the crisis, we expect that these plans will be revised many times.
Your Gifts Have Made A Difference!
The funds we have raised currently support two MTW crisis response teams in Lviv, Ukraine, and Krakow, Poland. These teams consist of MTW missionaries and their church plant partners who continue to preach the gospel while providing aid to civilians living in these cities. Recently, contacts of a SERGE missionary serving on MTW’s crisis response team in Krakow brought a van full of supplies collected from their community in Granada, Spain, for distribution in Ukraine. After unloading the van in a hotel storage room in Krakow, the Spanish visitors led everyone in a time of worship and praise!
Your gifts have allowed crisis response teams in Romania and Slovakia to care for refugees by supplying food, transportation, shelter, clothes, and medical resources to the displaced. We also sent funds directly to 15 Evangelical Presbyterian Churches of Ukraine and the Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine so they can attend to their congregants and communities by providing diaconal and humanitarian aid.
The need remains great, but your generosity has alleviated the distress of people removed from their homes, separated from their families, and fearful for their livelihood. MTW is committed to offering relief and sharing the hope of Christ. Thank you for giving and please continue to pray for Ukraine!
WILL YOU JOIN US?
As of this writing, the vast majority of EPCU church members in the eastern and central parts of Ukraine have left their cities, hoping for safety in the waiting arms of their brothers and sisters in the western area of their country or beyond. Although these dear ones and their families are the primary focus of our relief efforts, we will open our doors to anyone who needs our help. We want to do all we can to be the body of Christ to the vast throng of displaced and fearful Ukrainians who are probably wondering where God is right now. Please join us.
For the glory of Christ,
—Jon Eide, MTW regional director, Eastern Europe/Kyiv team leader