The work of the Transform Uzhhorod Alliance (TUA) is exemplified by its provision of support to a discipleship group for elderly women who are internally displaced people (IDP) in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. These women, displaced from regions now occupied by Russian forces, face the harsh reality of having no home to return to. The TUA’s assistance in facilitating this group underscores its commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations affected by conflict in the region.
In the initial onslaught of the Russian invasion, Oleksandr and Marina Masuk, pastors of the Youth of God Salvation Church in Kyiv, were among the first to be impacted. Forced to evacuate their homes as bombs were descending upon the capital and Russian forces were closing in, they were acutely aware of the peril facing evangelical leaders under Russian occupation. Recognizing this imminent threat, they made the difficult decision to leave their homes.
Seeking refuge, they found familiarity and support in Uzhhorod, where their existing network of friendships provided a comforting anchor. Through their past connection with TUA members RD and One Collective, who had previously offered coaching in youth ministry to their church, they seamlessly integrated into the community. Attending the Church of the Living God (COLG), another TUA member, they quickly became involved in its activities, with Marina taking on a leadership role in one of the worship bands.
However, their newfound stability was soon disrupted when Oleksandr was conscripted into the armed forces. Despite the upheaval, God’s sovereignty intervened and he was assigned to guard assets in and around Uzhhorod. This not only ensured their safety but also allowed Oleksandr to contribute to the spiritual life of the community by occasionally delivering sermons at COLG.
Marina’s deep integration within the TUA community led to a significant opportunity: employment with Nehemiah, another esteemed NGO within the TUA network. Nehemiah’s collaboration with the United Nations positioned them as key players in providing essential psychological support to IDPs through small group counseling. In her role at Nehemiah, Marina was tasked with leading one of these small groups, specifically tailored to the needs of the eight women mentioned earlier in the narrative.
Recognizing the importance of accessibility, Nehemiah sought a more central location within the city of Uzhhorod for their operations. In this endeavor, they reached out to One Collective, which managed the centrally located ministry center, Connections Café. This strategic move ensured that the small group counseling sessions for IDPs could be conducted in a more convenient and accessible setting, promoting greater participation and community engagement.
After the conclusion of the group sessions, the women expressed a desire to continue meeting together. They approached Marina Landro, Uzhhorod director of One Collective and director of the TUA, with their request. Recognizing the importance of ongoing support, the two Marinas—Landro and Masuk—came together to discuss a way forward. They agreed to continue the group, but this time with a renewed focus: to introduce these ladies to the love of Jesus.
Concurrently, Hope of Ukraine (HOU), the local chapter of Hope International, had recently become a part of the TUA. They introduced a new discipleship program tailored for IDPs called the Group of Trust. Recognizing the potential of this program, both Marinas saw it as a divine opportunity. They approached HOU director Pastor Pavel Khizhnyak and expressed their interest in being the pilot group for this initiative.
HOU generously invested funds to provide refreshments for each meeting and sponsored a two-day retreat, captured in the accompanying pictures, for these women towards the conclusion of the initial 12-week course.
Throughout the duration of the Group of Trust course, the women not only participated actively but also found themselves drawn to the COLG, where they began to deepen their newfound faith. With the completion of the Group of Trust course, the responsibility has now shifted to COLG. They will be organizing an Alpha Course, not only for these women but also for others who have recently become followers of Jesus, fostering further spiritual growth and community engagement.
The Transform Uzhhorod Alliance embodies a coalition of eight local churches and twelve NGOs, all united by a shared conviction: that no one is invisible, and everyone has access to food, freedom, and forgiveness. Through collaborative efforts spanning from RD to One Collective, from the Church of the Living God to Nehemiah, and finally to Hope of Ukraine, this outreach initiative underscores the significance of collective action. Together, these entities are working tirelessly to extend a hand of support, providing sustenance, liberation, and spiritual renewal to IDPs in Uzhhorod.
Epilogue: Following his service in the army, Oleksandr and Marina have returned to lead their church in Kyiv. Their journey back to leadership was made possible through the support of Christ Church of Lake Forest (Illinois), facilitated by the Sister Church Program established by Transform Ukraine, the parent organization of the TUA. This partnership underscores the significance of global connections in strengthening and empowering communities, transcending geographical boundaries for a shared mission.