Praises – Rejoice with us!
When the church plant in Ternopil, Ukraine, outgrew their rented storefront, church members were shocked to learn a place the size they needed would cost $1,300 monthly. (They pay $200/month now.) But God answered led Pastor Serhiy to a businessman who agreed to lease a spacious, facility only 5 minutes from their current location for $350 monthly! Praise God!
BIEM’s new missionary has begun church visits for deputation. She shares, “It’s incredible to walk into a church and feel instantly embraced, cared for, and supported. It reminds me that God is building a big family — one that is united in the purpose of serving and glorifying Jesus Christ. I’m also deeply grateful for your financial support, which will allow me to bring the Good News to Ukraine and serve some of its most vulnerable people – orphans.”
Concerning BIEM aid, pastor Anatoly Kosyanchuk in Shevchenkove, Ukraine, says, “We sincerely thank you for giving us walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and other things for the disabled.… We give them to those who need them. Some return theirs after recovery; others pass them to other people in need. This is how it works. We are all grateful for this help.”
In answer to prayer, our missionary Sasha – who ministers in a Muslim land – was able to visit the U.S. and speak in churches in multiple states. He is now back on his field!
Prayer – Pray with us!
Still an urgent prayer request: Although Ukraine now exempts clergy from military duty, permission for them to travel outside Ukraine have not resumed. BIEM has scheduled church planters to speak in U.S. churches in April, so please pray they will be granted exit permits.
In Russia, a church started by one of our missionaries received a visit from government security services. They drew up an interrogation report, took photos, and looked for signs of “extremism.” The church requests prayer for their protection.
Our director for Central Asia shares this: “Please pray for a girl named Shokhsanam. She is Uzbek. She was beaten by her brother again. Her brother is Muslim. She went to a camp in Samarkand for 2 days. Her nose is bleeding every other day almost. She has concussion. Her brother and his wife forbid her to attend the House of Prayer [church services].”
Please pray for our Spring Seminary session starting later this month in Kyiv, Ukraine. Sam Slobodian will be going along with pastors from Minnesota and Indiana. Conducting these sessions during a war is quite challenging. Keep praying for this war to end.
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