In the shadow of war, a remarkable story of faith and partnership is unfolding. For nearly three years, the International Church of Ljubljana (Slovenia) has walked alongside New Hope Evangelical Church in Ukraine during their darkest hours—and the light they’ve kindled together continues to grow brighter.
When God Closes One Door, He Opens Another
When New Hope lost most of its leaders to military service or displacement, including their lead pastor, Pastor Viacheslav and his wife faced an impossible decision. With internally displaced people flooding their church while resources dwindled, they took a leap of faith—Viacheslav quit his job to become the lead pastor.
The very next day, in what can only be described as divine timing, One Collective delivered the news: their Sister Church had committed to continuing their support, covering his salary and enabling his full-time ministry.
Healing Bodies, Mending Souls
Despite beginning 2025 battling the SARS epidemic with his family, Pastor Viacheslav recovered swiftly with purpose in his heart. He journeyed to the dangerous frontlines to bring care packages, prayers, and the comfort of home to church brothers defending Ukraine.
“Their bodies were wounded, but their souls even more so,” Viacheslav shares. For soldiers who had lost brothers-in-arms and suffered severe injuries, their pastor’s presence was a lifeline of hope amid devastation.
Sowing Seeds for Ukraine’s Future Church
The impact extends far beyond immediate comfort. With support from this partnership, Viacheslav now teaches future pastors at Lviv seminary—addressing Ukraine’s critical leadership shortage as the next generation of church leaders rises.
“With so many pastors having fled or serving in combat, the church in Ukraine faces an unprecedented leadership crisis,” he explains. “Through this Sister Church support, we’re not just sustaining today’s ministry—we’re cultivating tomorrow’s leaders.”
Join the Movement
This is just one powerful testament to how God is working through partnerships to sustain His church in Ukraine. The Sister Church Initiative continues to demonstrate that when we stand together, even in the most challenging circumstances, ministry not only survives—it thrives.
Want to discover how you and your church can become part of this transformative work? Visit our website to learn more about the Sister Church Initiative and how you can come alongside Christ’s church in Ukraine.