Full Gospel Independent Christian Church (Nizhyn) has become our 18th church we have come alongside and found a Sister Church for to allow Pastor Volodymyr Burkovtsov to focus on the ministries of his church during these difficult war years in Ukraine rather than find a job to support his family.
We met Pastor Volodymyr at a Chaplains Training Conference held by the Evangelical Free Church of America in our Connections Café ministry center. We were touched by his story of the brief Russian occupation of his city, and the continuing occasional missile or drone attacks. As a matter of fact, he wrote that he used part of his first support to repair two windows in his home that shattered during a recent attack. The funds were also used for the children and youth ministry as they launched a new youth worship group. They assist people who lost their homes and the elderly with physical disabilities. The also provided mothers with baby food, diapers, and clothes. This is what he wrote in his first thank you letter to his Sister Church.
“It is impossible to come to terms with the fact that children, who had a carefree life yesterday, today see explosions, tattered houses, broken windows and their destroyed kindergartens. Dad disappears from view, going to fight in hell, with little chance to return home. Mom cries every day and wastes away. Thousands of children lost their cozy warm homes and are forced to sleep on the floor of cold gyms in other cities. Only God can heal such terrible wounds in the hearts of children who do not even understand what is going on and why. And people should fulfill the mission of ministry and provide such families with everything they need. It’s hard to see men die, whose families are waiting for them.”
In reference to those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine, Pastor Volodymyr adds, “We cannot return children to parents, wives to husbands, but we try to help at least with what we can. We cry with them, rejoice in their successes and just spend time with them. There is a lot of work, and there are not enough ministers. We ask you to support us in prayer for the team. We have seven active men who do the most of work in the church. Some others join for helping from time to time. Please pray for the increase of the team and that God gives us the wisdom to serve people who lost their loved ones. Your blessing for us is a great support!”