August Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

As you might already know, Christian summer camps are typically one of BIEM’s largest outreaches every year. For many kids, camp provides their initial exposure to Christians and God’s Word. For these kids, camp is where they learn who God is, how to talk to Him in prayer, what sin is, and the importance of coming to God by grace through faith in Christ. Of course, many kids who attend the camps come from Christian homes, or else they come from non-Christian homes but attended camp in the past and come back, which allows them to grow in faith or to learn more.

By August, the third and final month of summer, most BIEM-sponsored camps in Eastern Europe have already ended. Leaders of those camps have shared news and sometimes photos of kids whose hearts opened to the Lord and embraced Christ as Savior. However, a few camps are still being held in various areas. We pray for God to bless the leaders with continued enthusiasm and physical strength and to open the hearts and minds of the young people who come.

In some cases, camps take place on land that churches purchased and developed specifically to establish a Christian campground. Other camps take place on church property or even public property. As an illustration of this last category, BIEM missionaries Sergei and Vika Skripnik put together a video that provides glimpses of a camp held at a public building called the House of Culture in the town of Glybochok. During Soviet times, Houses of Culture were sometimes used as places to put Christians on trial. Praise God, believers now sometimes use them to glorify Him and to teach His Word to the next generation! We hope you will enjoy the video:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/villagecamp

Blessings to you!

Sam & Amy Slobodian

War Relief Updates - August 9, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. At this very moment, BIEM missionaries Vitaly Bilyak and Andrei Eliseev are on a combined humanitarian aid & evangelism trip to areas near the war’s front lines. There, they will be ministering to both civilians and members of the military. For Vitaly, this will be his 18th such trip.

2. Quite commonly, summer camps in Ukraine are conducted at least in part with humanitarian aid from BIEM. In a thank-you message from the first Baptist church in Bilogorodka, one camp leader writes, “The Lord gave us the opportunity to conduct various creative workshops, active games, music lessons, and most importantly, Bible lessons. During the Bible lessons, the teachers invited the children to pray, and at the end of the lessons there were invitations to prayer of repentance, and several children responded to the Lord’s call. We heard many positive comments about the camp from parents and grandparents who brought their children to the camp. Some of the parents say they have been waiting since the beginning of summer so as not to miss this opportunity for their children. Happy children, satisfied parents, and most importantly, saved hearts, are what Christian camps are all about.”

3. On August 8, 2024, by God’s grace and with your donations, BIEM shipped another container of aid to Ukraine. Our director for Ukraine, Eugene Buyko, was on hand with his family to assist with this labor-intensive process. This short video shares a few glimpses of the packing process and allows the Buykos to thank all of you personally for your invaluable help in helping believers in their country to minister to both spiritual and physical needs:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/handpacking

4. In a video clip that we just received, our missionary Sasha Petrenko is on the road in Ukraine with another brother, and they are also driving a load of humanitarian aid to the contested Donbas area to minister to people there. Such trips are always fraught with dangers, and Sasha requests prayer as they undertake this trip. We will try to report more details after his return.

 In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 2, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. This is the third summer that we have conducted summer camps as the war rages on. Most of the camps have been conducted on church grounds during this time due to safety concerns. That has been the case with Sasha Petrenko’s camps for the children and youth from Goncharovsk and Smolyn. This area is subject to frequent attacks from Russian missiles, rockets, and drones even though the Ukrainian air defenses have been able to shoot most of these down before they hit their targets. This summer Sasha wanted to get these children and youth away from this area and take them all the way to safer Western Ukraine, where we have an actual campsite. They have just returned with a happy group of campers that included many refugee children. All were delighted to get away from the frequent air-raid sirens that have become routine in their home area. Praise God!

2. Two years ago, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the Nazarenko family at first took refuge in their basement. But as Russian soldiers committed atrocities in their town of Bucha, they became just one of the families that BIEM evacuated to Germany. At the time, we shared a video of the family on the road:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9315861/video/687675622

Now, despite the war, Victor and Anna decided to move the family back to Ukraine, where Victor has been ordained for ministry and the whole family serves the Lord... Meet the family and hear a little about their experiences here:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/home

3. As we mentioned last week, the Buykos from Ukraine are currently with us. They have been busy visiting supporting churches, giving updates about the ministry, and sharing how God is blessing our war relief efforts, which they are heavily involved in. The daughters—Angelica, Solomia, and Ivanka—sing beautifully, which has been a huge blessing in our meetings. In fact, the singing is so exceptional that many have commented on that being the highlight of the meetings!

4. On Monday, August 5, we receive a 40-foot, high cube container that we will be loading with donated goods for Ukraine. Praise God, we have enough goods to fill this container and funds to ship it. We would also like to purchase this container so that it could be used as a storage facility for the receiving church. Such a storage place would be a huge blessing to any Ukrainian church since you could not build anything of similar size for anywhere near the $3,200 it would cost to purchase the container. Donations towards this $3,200 would be sincerely appreciated.

 In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: August 2024

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• BIEM missionary in the nation of Georgia says, “The youth group held a children’s activity attended by nearly 100 children, mostly unsaved. In the past, I have … organized most of the program, but this time, the youth took the baton. The program was well done, the gospel lesson clear, the music vibrant, the games interesting, and the program 100% Georgian. How encouraging to see the next generation begin to take the lead!”

• BIEM’s director for Ukraine, Eugene Buyko, and his family are now in the U.S. to speak in churches and help raise funds for war relief. In answer to prayer, Ukraine granted Eugene’s request for temporary permission to exit the country. Thanks for praying!

• Last week, 10 former Muslims in Turkmenistan were baptized on profession of their firm faith in Christ the Savior!

• From Belarus, BIEM missionary Nikolai Ryzhuk reports, “On Sunday the Lord gave our church the gift of a baptism. Two souls had made a covenant with the Lord. Therefore, although it was physically very difficult … my heart filled with joy that the Lord is glorified by doing the work.”

Prayer – Pray with us!

• Praise God, we have enough donations of clothing and other items to ship a container to Ukraine. We also have the full shipping amount. But to leave the container there as a storage place, we need $3,200. Please pray, since leaving the container for the church would be a huge blessing since building a storage building of similar size would cost far more than $3,200.

• August is our third and final month of summer camps. Please pray for God to give continued energy to the staffers and salvation decisions and spiritual growth among campers.

• We want to repeat our request to pray for the nation of Georgia. A sudden shift in direction has resulted in new laws that could make Georgia a restricted-access nation, which would be a hardship for our missionaries as well as many other missionaries.

• In August, Amy and Sam Slobodian will go to Ukraine to work in BIEM’s summer camps and check on our War Relief efforts. The fact that this is the 3rd summer of war has not deterred our folks from holding camps for kids and youth. Neither has it stopped Sam and Amy from participating. In 2023 Russia intensified their aerial attacks while the Slobodians were there. But God protected the camps. Please pray for God to protect campers, staff, and the Slobodians.

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War Relief Updates - July 19, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. So far, BIEM is still able to invite our Ukrainian missionaries to apply for exit permission to come to the U.S. and speak in churches to help raise funds for war relief. American believers particularly enjoy hearing—not merely about—our workers in that land and meeting them in person. However, as the war continues, so does governmental efforts to control the whereabouts of its citizenry. A new law mandates that even a male who has received temporary permission to cross the border (as in the case of our missionaries) must also carry his military passport, which is a document showing proof of registration at a military enlistment office. Without military registration, no male from age 18 – 60 can exit Ukraine legally. This development has potential to hinder having our church planters from coming to the U.S., which in turn could crimp our war relief fund-raising.

2. In Bilogorodka, Ukraine, BIEM’s missionary-pastor Anatoly Kosyanchuk leads a congregation that especially appreciates hands-on opportunities to serve God and others. In fact, the military chaplains’ association recognized him and the church for their ongoing efforts to bless, help, and encourage active-duty soldiers, wounded victims, and other needy ones. In the following video, Anatoly thanks all of you for making such ministries possible!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/helpingushelpothers

3. With summertime weather in Ukraine, our churches are conducting baptismal services. Many of those being baptized are folks who have been introduced to the church through our war-relief efforts. It most cases, these baptisms take place, not inside the church building, but in a public area by a lake or river. Such public baptisms often draw curious onlookers, who hear a clear Gospel presentation. Praise God for newly redeemed souls and for natural opportunities to proclaim Christ to spectators who still need Him!

4. BIEM has previously reported on Oleg, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko. We prayed for Oleg, who had been a POW in Russia for over 2 years before finally being released back to Ukraine in a prisoner swap. As an update, Oleg ended up in a hospital in Poltava, Ukraine. There, physicians began treating him for malnutrition and kidney and liver problems caused by blows to the body. When doctors discovered he also has some heart problems, they transferred Oleg to a hospital in Kyiv, where he arrived today. He remains in good spirits, thankful to be alive, and very glad to be out of Russia and back in Ukraine. He has begun to gain weight, which is excellent news. In case you missed it, here’s the video of Sasha giving Oleg a chance to glorify God and thanking those who prayed for him:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9315861/video/974496643

 In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

July Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

For our July video, we decided to treat you to a slide show of pictures taken from several of the summer camps that have already taken place this year. Some of the camps are large ones, especially those that take place in or near large cities. But some day camps are held in smaller towns and villages for local children who crave the fun of camp as much as city kids but don’t have the opportunity to travel away from home—especially in Ukraine, where understandably protective parents might not permit their kids to go far from home during this time of war. But whether the camps are large or small, our personnel and volunteers strive to give these kids a fun time and nourishing meals while introducing them to the Gospel and crucial truths from God’s Word. In this slide presentation, we don’t attempt to explain all that’s happening in each picture, but we believe you’ll still grasp at least the essence of what’s going on. So, sit back and enjoy the show. And remember, the camps will continue into August, so please keep both the staffers and campers in your prayers for safety and for God to work in their hearts.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/camplife

Blessings to you!

Sam & Amy Slobodian

War Relief Updates - July 9, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

Note: BIEM normally publishes our War Relief Updates on Fridays. However, because of the nature of events in Ukraine this week, we are releasing these updates earlier than usual.

1. In our BIEM’s of Light for July, we mentioned that the Buyko family will be visiting the United States to speak in churches about our war-relief efforts. Lord willing, they will arrive on Thursday, July 11. Praise God, just today Eugene received his official permission to temporarily exit Ukraine. Tomorrow they leave the Kyiv area and must drive all the way to Krakow, Poland, for their flights to the USA. We have two urgent prayer requests concerning this. First, please pray that the border guards will allow Eugene to leave Ukraine. (The official permission does state that, despite his permission, the border guards have the authority to deny any men between the ages of 18 and 60 to leave Ukraine. Even though this hasn’t yet happened to any of our missionaries, we still request prayer concerning this.) Second, please pray for the Buykos to have a smooth and quick border crossing into Poland. Lately, all of us crossing the border have managed to cross in 2 hours or less. However, such crossings have sometimes taken up to 9 hours due to long lines. That long of a crossing would force them to drive all night to reach Krakow to catch their flights, so please pray.

2. On Monday, July 8, Russia fired more than 40 missiles at Ukraine. Of those, 8 struck Kyiv, the capital. One missile scored a direct hit on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. Although not struck directly, the Temple of Salvation Baptist Church (which partners with BIEM and hosts our Seminary) was near enough that it, too, suffered damage. You can learn more about that damage to the church in this 3-minute video:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9315861/video/980870828

3. Because Russia’s July 8 missile strike on Ukraine—and on Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in particular—was so massive and heinous, this attack is receiving particular coverage by worldwide news outlets. If you are interested in broader details of the event, here are several links. (Note: Some news articles may include graphic images.):

Voice of America: https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-hits-children-s-hospital-in-ukraine-s-capital-during-widespread-deadly-missile-attack-/7688979.html

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/experts-challenge-russian-narrative-on-kyiv-childrens-hospital-attack-2024-7

US News: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-07-09/kyiv-mourns-as-rescuers-make-last-ditch-efforts-at-childrens-hospital-hit-by-russian-missile

France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240709-ukraine-mourns-as-rescuers-clear-rubble-from-missile-hit-kyiv-children-s-hospital

4. Dasha is a schoolteacher in Bilogorodka, and she also faithfully teaches Sunday school in the church. Her father and another soldier were killed near the front lines when their vehicle came under fire. Please pray for Dasha and her family. Many people attended the funeral, which added significant cost, since it is customary to have a meal with a funeral. It was a blessing to help with these funeral expenses through our war relief fund.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - July 5, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Our Ukrainian brethren are reporting that, due to Russia’s continuing attacks on their infrastructure, they are losing electricity now more than ever before even though it is summer and not winter. Some of our folks say that they often are without electricity for 16 hours out of a 24-hour day. To date, we have spent over $250,000 providing generators for many of our people and churches that were totally without. However, running these generators for so many hours day after day is expensive. Please continue to donate to our war relief funds so we can assist with these extra expenses and provide generators to those churches that still need them.

2. The Christians who print our Challenger newsletter do a wonderful job, for which we receive many compliments. The current issue featuring last winter’s distribution of warm clothing and New Testaments may be their most attractive effort ever. We had so many photos and thank you’s that it was a tall order to fit a sampling even into 6 pages. Somehow they formatted a beautiful and informative issue featuring a creative, bulletin-board layout. We thank and praise God for the outstanding work on this newsletter. May it warm the hearts of all who gave and prayed for this project. If you haven’t yet seen this latest newsletter, you can view it online Here.

3. We have sometimes requested prayer for Oleg, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko, who is deeply involved in evangelizing through war relief. Oleg was captured by Russian troops shortly after they invaded Ukraine in February 2022. For a long while, his family did not know whether he was dead or alive, but they did not give up hoping and praying. Praise God, after 2 years and 4 months as a POW of the Russians, Oleg was included in a prisoner exchange and was returned to Ukraine. In this 3-minute video, he shares his gratitude for prayers and for God, who preserved him.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/2years4months

4. Denmark now has a large population of Ukrainian refugees. These are mostly women and children. Sophia Buyko and the Buyko daughters have been invited to minister to these war refugee women for the second time. They are there now and report that 25 women attended their meetings, where they received counseling and Bible teaching. Groceries were also distributed to these needy women and children. Several of these women have now attended the church services.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: July 2024

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• We have requested prayer for Oleg Petrenko, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko. Recently, Russia returned Oleg to Ukraine as part of a prisoner-of-war swap. Oleg is weak and was taken straight to a hospital, but he and his family thank you for all prayers!

• On July 18 we received word from Central Asia of a family of 6 Afghanis who put their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. Praise the Lord!

• The Christians who print our Challenger newsletter do a wonderful job, for which we receive many compliments. The current issue featuring last winter’s distribution of warm clothing and New Testaments may be their most attractive effort ever. We had so many photos and thank you’s that it was a tall order to fit a sampling even into 6 pages. Somehow, they formatted a beautiful and informative issue featuring a creative, bulletin-board layout. We thank and praise God for the outstanding work on this newsletter. May it warm the hearts of all who gave and prayed for this project.

• Various Ukrainian pastors whose churches helped to distribute winter clothing to soldiers have established ongoing connections with some of the recipients. In one case, a soldier asked the pastor if the church could post videos of church services online to watch them from the war front! May God work and bless through these new connections.

Prayer – Pray with us!

• The Christian camps for children and teens are continuing overseas. Through quick updates, we are hearing of salvation decisions and fun times. Please pray for God to give energy to the camp leaders and to work in the hearts of the campers.

• We have occasionally shared news about Misha, a young Ukrainian believer who is the nephew of a BIEM couple. He has been serving in the army since the early days of the war. His uncle writes, “Please pray for Misha. He is still on the front line, in the heat of battles. Hot, tired, filthy.”

• In mid-July, our missionary Eugene Buyko and his family plan to be in the U.S. for a month to visit supporting churches and bring updates. Please pray for smooth travels with no glitches.

• In the Republic of Georgia, the Pro-Russian parliament has passed a new law, which will severely restrict our missionaries. This is despite massive protests and warnings from the US government and many other nations that this law will end democracy and religious freedom. Please pray that elections in October will bring in a new government that will overturn this law and that God will direct missionaries there how to respond.

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June Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

For this month’s video, we wanted to share a heartwarming moment recorded by one our missionaries. While between flights in the Istanbul Airport in Turkey, he and his family passed time by relaxing in a crowded airport lounge. There, one daughter spotted an unattended grand piano. Without asking, she simply walked over, sat down at the piano, and began to play Christian hymns. An adult might have hesitated to play Christian hymns in a spot where most listeners were Muslims. Nevertheless, many stopped and listened appreciatively. When this young daughter noticed Ukrainian travelers among the crowd, she switched and played a well-known Ukrainian hymn. Her music brought the Ukrainians to tears, and they expressed heartfelt gratitude for her “wonderful concert.” Praise God!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/makingmelodies

Blessings to you!

Sam & Amy Slobodian

War Relief Updates - June 28, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Much of the war relief that we provide for those suffering the consequences of the war in Ukraine goes towards expenses like food, clothing, medical supplies & costs, repairs to damaged homes, protective gear, and equipment for soldiers connected to our churches—generators, power banks, and coal and wood for heating. This week we received heartfelt thanks for war relief of a different type. Expressing thanks were several soldiers who received high-end First Aid kits and a Christian volunteer for whom we helped to purchase a vehicle (a used 4x4 Lada Niva), which he uses to transport wounded from the front lines to where they can receive medical care.

2. Sergiy Koop in Ternopil continues to stay in touch with numerous soldiers who were helped through our war-relief distributions. Several are now tuning into his church services online. Please pray for their salvation. One has been transferred to the Ternopil area, so he has been attending the church services. When the church has sufficient funds, they plan to upgrade their equipment to improve the quality of these broadcasts.

3. Shortly after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, Sofia Buyko accepted her husband’s wishes and departed for Poland with their 3 daughters. In Poland, and later in Germany, the 4 were safe from the aerial bombings and atrocities being committed by occupying forces. But as time passed, they decided to leave their place of safety and return to Ukraine even though war was still raging. Why would they do that? Listen to their own answer in this 3-minute video, “The Decision to Return.”

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/thedecision

4. More than once, we have requested prayer for Oleg, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko. Oleg disappeared soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, and for a long time the family didn’t know where he was or even whether Oleg was still alive. Praise God, Oleg was among the 90 POWs that Russia this week swapped soldiers that Ukraine had captured. Of those released back to Ukraine, Oleg was one of those in the worst physical condition. He was transported to a hospital, where Sasha was told that his brother faced a long recovery period. Of course, the family is rejoicing that Oleg survived his ordeal and that he is back in Ukraine again!

If you would like to see a mass media news article with a heartwarming video about this exchange, here is one such link:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-ukraine-each-return-90-prisoners-of-war/ar-BB1oTvDH

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - June 21, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. This year, we had to do something we didn’t want to do—raise our target goal for summer camps to $60,000. Although the war in Ukraine has driven up prices, making this change necessary, that amount seemed enormous. We had never set such a goal for camp. But, praise God, He provided this amount through all of you! (In fact, for once our spring Challenger newsletter—now in production—will not mention the need for camp funds because you all beat us to it!) Also, God blessed by providing quick passage of our most recent container of supplies to Ukraine. Since we included many items for use in camps, our Ukrainian missionaries were thrilled to receive it!

2. Igor Fomichov in Desna requests prayer for two members of the church who have been sent to the war front. Vova is a deacon, and Roma is a soldier. Both were both saved through this ministry. Since both men were heavily involved in war-relief distributions, their absence will leave a gap in the ministry. They have been sent to one of the most dangerous areas of the front, where daily deadly battles take place. This is devastating news for their families and the church. Please pray that God will protect them and use them to share Christ where they are.

3. In Ukraine, the town of Posad-Pokrovske became a key strategic front in the defense of Mykolaiv and in the fight to liberate Kherson. But relentless Russian shelling left 90% of its 940 houses severely damaged or destroyed, and residents can hardly imagine how to recover. BIEM missionary Pavel Usach and a team of fellow church members have made several trips from Zdolbuniv to Posad-Pokrovske in the south near Kherson. The church building, too, was extremely damaged. So, with aid from BIEM, Pavel and the others have been serving this community and helping the congregation to make a comeback!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/posad-pokrovske

4. BIEM is grateful for the donations we receive for this ministry, whether they be funds, gently used clothing, medical supplies, or church furniture & equipment. This week, two extraordinary gifts especially blessed us. One was a deluxe weightlifting center, which will go to the Desna Drug and Rehabilitation Center. The rehabilitation program there emphasizes Bible study, counseling, and performing work, but it also includes physical exercise. As these men strive to build back bodies that have wasted away from drug and alcohol abuse, this equipment will get a lot of use. We also received a $12 gift from an 11-year-old named Maria. She designated her donation to help a child orphaned by the war. Maria’s gift really touched our hearts.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - June 14, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Thank you for praying for Pasha Usach’s trip last week, when he was delivering war relief and sharing the Gospel near Kherson. Best of all, some listeners made salvation decisions during meetings as the Gospel was presented. Several youths from Pasha’s home church participated in this trip, so the team consisted of 12 people aboard multiple vehicles since they were transporting a large amount of aid from BIEM’s most recent container. Pasha reports that the trip went well and that they all returned safely. We will be posting a video featuring this trip in the near future.

2. We have been greatly encouraged by the pictures, videos, and thank-you messages that we have received from soldiers who received warm clothing, New Testaments, and Gospel literature during our special project in December - February. The upcoming issue of our newsletter, The Challenger, is an expanded version that features a sampling of testimonies and photos. Since it is at the printers, you should receive it soon if you are on the Challenger mailing list. If not, you have time to subscribe. This issue is particularly heartwarming and is sure to bless each one who gave and prayed for this project.

3. Our Ukrainian church planter Vitaly Bilyak often receives the question, “Can Ukraine Win the War?” In the following video clip, he addresses that exact same question. We encourage you to watch, listen, and then to pray!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/canukrainewin

4. Please pray that God would continue to bless our War Relief fund with donations. (And perhaps you can be a partial answer to that prayer?) Already this month, we have distributed close to $20,000 in war relief to various serious needs. Though the media do not provide much war news these days, the war continues. In fact, over the last several weeks Russia’s attacks have intensified and knocked out 50% of Ukraine’s power supply. As a result, we are getting more requests for generators, and those who have already received generators often repeat their gratitude, mentioning how these generators have been vital to their ministries. (To date, BIEM has distributed more than $250,000 just for generators. May God be praised!)

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - June 7, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. This weekend, Pasha Usach and a few others are traveling to the Kherson area with a load of war-relief supplies he received from our container. One of the places where he will be distributing and sharing the Gospel is the location where two elderly ladies opened their home to start a church through Pasha’s encouragement. A few weeks ago, we posted a video about this new church. If you missed it, you can see that video via the following link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/oneplusone

This is a needy and dangerous area, and BIEM has regularly provided it with food, clothing, firewood, medicine, and repair of damaged homes. Many locals have come to Christ as a result of all this outreach. In fact, 70+ people now attend this new church! Please pray for Pasha and those traveling with him that the Lord would protect them and use this effort for His glory.

2. One of the key men in our war relief efforts is Yura, our church planter in Lviv, Ukraine. Besides his role in distribution, he is one of two men who uses his family car to drive us and other BIEM personnel from Poland to Ukraine and back when we arrive from the US. Because he has 3 small children, he is allowed to cross the border and so plays an important role in our efforts. Yura’s worn-out vehicle needs replacing, and he has an opportunity to upgrade to a much better vehicle for about $10,000. Please pray that the Lord will provide for this need.

3. Under the supervision of Nadia Lovytska, dedicated volunteers in Ukraine work together to create packets of dried soups and other food for soldiers on the war front. BIEM has provided war relief funds to boost this project, which is greatly valued by the recipients. A second video will be forthcoming soon, but for now the following link will give you a closer look...

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/driedfoods

4. Concerning our summer camps, about 3 weeks ago we sent out a letter informing supporters that we had only $19,000 of the $60,000 needed for our summer camps. By the time we published our June BIEM’s of Light, that amount had surpassed $34,000. Today the figure is close to $40,000, and a church just contacted us to say they are sending $5,000. Praise God! Please pray with us for the remaining $15,000 needed.In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: June 2024

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In response to BIEM’s need for chairs for Ukraine, Valley View Baptist Church in Shakopee, Minn., is donating about 100 stacking chairs and 50 folding chairs for Ukraine. For our churches in Ukraine, such a gift will be a huge blessing!

• In Zdolbuniv, Ukraine, BIEM missionary Pavel Usach says, “I want to thank all our friends who contributed in one way or another to enable BIEM’s latest container to come to us in Ukraine. This is a great blessing…. We will be able to respond to the needs of people who need it!”

• Thank you for praying for Vitaly Bilyak to receive the special permission needed to exit Ukraine temporarily. God has blessed church services where Vitaly Bilyak has spoken in various states. Before he returns to Ukraine, he will have time to visit family in the U.S.

• In Smolyn, Ukraine, a non-Christian firefighter who lives near the new church has actively assisted church members in distributing humanitarian aid. When he was summoned for military duty, he expected they would send him to the war front. But the church prayed for him, and he was assigned to the local military base. He was amazed. May God work!

Prayer – Pray with us!

• The Russian bombing of Ukrainian power infrastructure is causing rolling power blackouts all over that country. This situation affects BIEM’s missionaries in their daily lives and in their ability to stay in touch with the home office since internet access becomes sporadic.

• The nation of Georgia (between Turkey and Russia) is changing. Formerly pro-West, the current administration is suspicious of foreigners (including missionaries). With new laws, this nation might become a restricted-access land. Please pray for wisdom for our missionaries in Georgia.

• Concerning our upcoming summer camps, so far, you all have blessed us with donations of $34,000 toward 2024 camps. We are so thankful. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine keeps driving prices upward. For example, on June 1 the cost of electricity in Ukraine doubled. This upward trend is typical of what our churches there are facing. Although we had set $50,000 as our goal, $60,000 now looks more realistic. Please pray for the Lord to provide.

• In Central Asia, God continues to use BIEM’s Christian shelter for battered women. Several years back, a Muslim woman named Guyla came to the shelter for healing. She heard the Gospel but didn’t embrace it. Recently she returned with a broken hand. This time her heart and mind were ready… Guyla put her faith in Christ! Please pray for Guyla and others there.

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War Relief Updates - May 31, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. In Smolyn, Ukraine, the new church has an unsaved neighbor, Pasha. He works for the local fire and rescue department. Although not a believer, Pasha became heavily involved in the church’s distribution of war relief. However, his entire department received a summons to report to the military recruitment office. Some hoped that working for the fire and rescue department would exempt them from military service. Not so. All of them were told to prepare for deployment. However, after the church prayed for the Lord to intervene for Pasha, he received unexpected orders. Instead of going to the war front, Pasha was assigned to duties at the local military base. This answer to prayer has made a profound impact on Pasha. Please join this church in praying for his salvation.

2. Regular readers of these updates will recall Misha, a nephew of BIEM missionaries who put his trust in the Lord about 2 years ago while serving in the Ukrainian army. Amazingly, Misha has survived battle after battle and even mine explosions. However, his unit had not been heard from in 8 days. This is highly unusual. Our missionary stated, “We haven't heard from Misha since Sunday. We are fearing the worst. He always checks in.” However, just this afternoon they received word from Misha that he is neither killed nor captured and is not being pulled back somewhat from the front. Praise God!

3. BIEM missionary Vitaly Bilyak loves the various evangelistic and discipleship opportunities made possible through summer camps, which have become part of our war relief. In this video, he shares his personal perspectives on the benefits of holding summer camps for children and teens even while war rages in Ukraine. We invite you to view this short video interview, “Setting Our Hearts on Summer Camps.” Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/settinghearts

4. We periodically mention BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko. In addition to being a church planter, Sasha has played a key role in distributing war relief in Ukraine. Because he serves as a deputy on the town council and has a solid, friendly relationship with the mayor, Sasha has had unusual access to areas near the front lines, where he has shared the Gospel with soldiers while distributing aid. But a recent medical exam revealed that Sasha now has Hepatitis C (a serious viral infection that affects the liver). On Monday he meets with doctors to hear their treatment plan. He requests prayer that the treatment will allow him to continue distributing war relief and sharing the Gospel in sensitive areas.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - May 24, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. We have received a prayer request from Pasha Usach, our church planter in Zdolbuniv, Ukraine. He has just received our latest container. Apparently, this shipment falls under new guidelines for receiving humanitarian aid, which now add many more reporting requirements. These requirements present an overwhelming task. Not needing to deal with such documentation was a great blessing while the special wartime exemption for such documentation existed. Evidently, those days are over. Pasha certainly needs prayer as he slogs through the monumental task ahead of him.

2. We mentioned in last week’s updates that Vitaly Bilyak from Ternopil in Western Ukraine is temporarily visiting BIEM in the US to speak in churches. Our first meeting was in Kentucky. In that service we met Anatoly, a Ukrainian man who recently arrived in the US as a refugee from the war. He told us that he well recalls my father’s sermons that we broadcast throughout the Soviet Union over international shortwave radio over 30 years ago. What a blessing and encouragement to hear that Anatoly and many folks he knew were regular listeners and still remember Peter Slobodian!

3. Speaking of Vitaly Bilyak, in his 17th evangelistic-aid trip to the south and east of Ukraine, Vitaly ministered to both hurting civilians and the soldiers defending them. But the trip was not without cost. A Russian drone targeted Vitaly’s car with a grenade. By God’s grace, Vitaly survived, but shrapnel from the blast caused extensive damage to his vehicle. In this video, “Serving Those Who Have Suffered Loss,” he shares some of the sights and sounds from that trip:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/servingthosewhosuffer

4. This week, one of our missionary couples to restricted lands visited the BIEM home office for a couple of days. They brought a large trailer full of war relief items that a service organization had donated for our next container—wheelchairs, walkers, and many boxes stuffed tightly with brand-new socks. While the husband spent many hours in ministry-related meetings with BIEM personnel, the wife spent hours in our warehouse sorting and packing dozens of boxes of donated clothing that needed to be prepared for shipment. What blessings!

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

May Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

When you plant an acorn and water it, you don’t know for sure how fast it will sprout, how tall the tree will grow, or whether that acorn will grow at all. But what a joy to return years later and discover that the thimble-sized acorn has grown into a healthy tree that is now providing protective shade and new acorns of its own! Similarly, when BIEM missionaries plant a new church, they trust and pray that the Lord will magnify their efforts and establish a thriving, new ministry where unbelievers find Christ and believers grow in grace and knowledge of the Word of God.

In our monthly video for May, we take you back to Borschiv, Ukraine, where some years ago BIEM purchased a large, unfinished house to plant a church in an area where there wasn’t one. The building needed much work, both to finish it and to correct some construction flaws. The property needed a lot of work, too, before it could be used for outreach. However, the Lord has steadily provided the funds and muscles that have been needed. He also has been blessing this ministry with fresh fruit for the Kingdom of God.

As you watch the following video, we invite you to join us in praising God as church planter Sergei Skripnik reviews many of the blessings that the Lord has showered on this church since the purchase of the property.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/farther

Blessings to you!

Sam & Amy Slobodian

War Relief Updates - May 10, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. On May 8, Russia targeted Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure with a massive wave of 55 missiles and 21 explosive drones, according to CNN and AP reports. This largest attack in several weeks struck 6 different geographic regions. Although Ukraine’s Energy Minister states Russia is attempting to halt Ukraine’s ability to generate and transmit energy, civilian homes are also getting pounded, and civilian lives are lost. BIEM is thankful to the Lord for protecting our seminary students in Kyiv as well as Sam Slobodian and those traveling with him to various cities and ministries across that country.

2. Two months ago, BIEM shared a proposed project from Awakening Baptist Church in the Obolon District of Kyiv, Ukraine. Pastor Nikolai Rozhnyatovsky was praising God for new opportunities to aid and evangelize refugees from Bakhmut with help from an unlikely source—the city administration. In the following video, Pastor Nikolai gives an update on the development of this new outreach.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/responding-2

3. In 2023, we told of an especially distraught family of refugees from Berdyansk, Ukraine (in the east), who had arrived in the western city of Lviv. There, the church pastored by BIEM’s Yura Levtseniuk extended assistance and humanitarian aid provided by BIEM. The mother, Nelya, told how Russian troops had captured her daughter, whom they abused and killed and dismembered into pieces before calling the family to come and fetch what was left of her. Now we have received additional news: Eventually, 18 members of Nelya’s extended family likewise ended up in Lviv, where Yura and the church minister to them as well. Many of these 18 are attending church, and several have put their trust in Christ. Some are planning to be baptized in the next few weeks, along with other converts who were first drawn to the church through our war relief efforts. Praise God!

4. Container update! Our latest container of war relief and supplies for churches (which we shipped on March 21) has cleared Ukrainian Customs and arrived today at its destination in Zdolbuniv. Its cargo includes secondhand clothing & shoes; medical items such as disposable masks, disposable diapers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and walkers; household items such as blankets, sheets, pillows, and basic tools; children’s toys, foodstuffs such as rice, macaroni, canned soups, and baby formula; mixed sports equipment for children’s camps; office equipment; plus various miscellaneous useful items. After the cargo has been unloaded, the metal container itself will be transported to the church’s nearby campground, where it will become a solid storage unit for the camp. Thank you for praying for this shipment!

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - May 3, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Greetings from Ukraine, where we are in the Kyiv area for the Spring session of our seminary along with two American pastors who are doing the teaching. We are thrilled that 40 students are in attendance, which is surprising considering the difficult obstacles caused by the war. Besides the blessing of intense Biblical teaching, the students enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie that always seem to develop lifelong ministry relationships. The moments when they blend their voices to praise God in song truly warm the heart. However, there was sad news yesterday—a couple of the students heard that Russia had just bombed their hometown. Before long, media broadcasts showed a video that broke their hearts. These events gave other students an opportunity to comfort them and give BIEM yet another avenue where we can glorify God by providing direct war relief. Please continue to pray that this war will end.

2. A couple of months ago, we posted a video about a proposed project to help the 8,000-12,000 refugees from Bahkmut that the Ukrainian government has evacuated to the Obolon district of Kyiv. In this district, the city administration approached Awakening Baptist Church (BIEM’s first church plant in Ukraine) and asked whether the church could help refugees in any way. After discussions, the church leaders and city administration developed a plan in which the city would bring about 100 refugees to the church every other week. There, the refugees would first hear a clear presentation of the Gospel and then would receive material aid. Today we attended one of these meetings and learned that the Lord has blessed them. Souls have come to Christ, and the church’s reputation has risen in the eyes of the community as it reflects God’s love in both word and deed. Currently, 5 of these new converts are regularly attending the services. Praise God!

3. In the city of Lviv, Ukraine, BIEM missionary Yura Levtseniuk, is laboring among locals and war refugees to enlarge the Kingdom of God by winning souls for Christ in his city. Listen to him share about God’s working here:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/enlarginggodskingdom

4. Tomorrow (Saturday, May 4), spring classes at our seminary will end. Then, for the next few days, we will be visiting places and projects where BIEM’s war-relief efforts have been directed. One stop we plan to make is in the town of Smolin, which is right next to the Goncharovsk military base where Sasha Petrenko has established a church that reaches out to both the military base and the town of Smolin. Brother Sasha just received word that Julia—a daughter-in-law of one of their church members in Smolin and was serving in the Ukrainian military—was killed in action. Sasha has been reaching out to her husband Vadim, who is in shock and despair. Please pray for this heartbreaking situation, which is another opportunity to demonstrate the love of God through our war relief efforts.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM