War Relief Updates - April 6, 2023

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

1. Recently we shared with you that 20 soldiers who had been fighting in Bakhmut were being housed while on leave at Vitaly Yurchenko’s church in Chervona Sloboda. They keep strictly to themselves, which makes it difficult to get acquainted with them or to share the Gospel. The fact that they’ve been told they will be going right back to the battle in Bakhmut (which they call “The Meat Grinder”) doesn’t help their state of mind. Please pray for Vitaly and his church members as they try to find a way to penetrate this barrier.

2. I am leaving for Ukraine on Monday, May 10. Please pray for safety, for smooth border crossings, and that we can be an encouragement to our families there. We will be checking in on our War Relief distribution activities and meeting with many of our BIEM-supported men. Also on the schedule are Easter services (their Easter is a week after ours this year), a baptism, a special distribution for widows, and our Spring seminary session.

3. One of the many sad consequences of the war is that Ukraine’s already-high rates of alcoholism and drug addiction are spiking. Because of this, one of the classes in this seminary session will feature a special mini-conference on how to reach and minister to the addicted. Please pray for this conference, which will be not only for students but for pastors in the area.

4. Not long ago, Vitaly Bilyak completed his 9th trip to the war front. He and those who travel with him take these dangerous trips willingly to help those who are suffering. These men relish the opportunities to share the Gospel and distribute Bibles. You can view Vitaly’s video report from this trip at the following link. Notice how readily people receive New Testaments. This is receptivity is reminiscent of how eagerly people wanted God’s Word when the Iron Curtain came down.

https://vimeo.com/815438617

5. I just spoke by phone with Pavel Usach. He and Sergei Skripnik, another one of our missionary pastors, are now in Kherson distributing aid and sharing the Gospel in this war-torn area. After they return soon, we will be able to share a report. In the meantime, they told me how, when they were searching for a place to stay, a family of unbelievers invited them to live in their home. When the two missionaries arrived, they were amazed at this generous invitation since the home was partially destroyed and the garage was in ruins! It is truly amazing to see how Ukrainians are banding together and sharing whatever little they have in order to survive these terrible times.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - March 31, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. In our February 24 War Relief Updates, we told how distributing war relief while evangelizing led to the formation of a nucleus of believers for a new church. Praise the Lord, the small building that became available has now been purchased for $10,000! We thank and praise God for this new church established via our war-relief efforts.

2. In today’s Video Update, BIEM’s Vitaly Bilyak shares briefly about the most recent 40-ft. container of clothing and other war relief items that BIEM shipped to his church. He thanks all of you, our supporters, for making those relief actions possible. See the video here:

https://vimeo.com/813582924

3. Some of our readers will recall the story of Sergei, a military officer in Desna, Ukraine, whose career was cut short because of drug addiction. Sergei’s superiors had attempted to rehabilitate him in secular drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. After repeated, unsuccessful attempts, he was dismissed. Sometime later, he landed in the Christian Rehab center operated by the church in Desna, where he accepted Christ and found freedom from drug addiction for the glory of God. For years now, he has been a faithful servant in the Desna church. A few months ago, he and his brother-in-law Lyosha were sent to fight in the war. Lyosha is another former drug addict who found Christ and new life in the Rehab Center. Both have been involved in intense battles. Recently a landmine severely injured Lyosha. Please join us in praying for Lyosha’s recovery from his wounds.

4. For almost a year, BIEM has hosted a string of Ukrainian pastors, each spending a few weeks in the U.S. sharing their ministries and war relief efforts with American churches. These visits have been a huge blessing to churches and a great encouragement to these brethren. Since most have friends and relatives in the United States, they have also visited them, which gave opportunities to visit immigrant churches here. Sadly, these men report of a troubling trend towards discord in some of these churches as many include both Russians and Ukrainians. A real complication is that major cable TV companies offer Russian programming, which many immigrants watch. Russian programming, especially the news, is controlled by Moscow, so even immigrants hear and believe the Kremlin-endorsed spin on world events. Please pray for such churches and their pastors to be able to resolve these conflicts as they draw closer to Christ.

5. Please pray for Natasha, a former atheist in Ukraine who has been left alone since her children all moved to Poland because of the war. Like most Ukrainians during these difficult times when many have lost their jobs, Natasha was struggling to survive. She heard that the nearby church was providing food for those in need through relief provided by BIEM. She visited the church and was amazed by the warmth and care the members demonstrated to her. She has now attended services in Desna for 3 weeks and listens to the messages intently. Please pray that Natasha will soon embrace Christ as Savior!

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - March 24, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Friends who are providing war relief often ask about the current bombing situation in Ukraine. We asked our personnel there. The consensus is that the Russians have given up trying to force Ukraine to surrender by firing nationwide waves of missiles against their power grid. However, that doesn’t mean the danger is over. Now Russia seems to favor using cheap, explosive drones and fewer missiles to strike civilian targets in attempts to cause terror. A March 22 article in the Kyiv Post corroborates that conclusion: “Ukraine’s air defenses and power grid have, up to now, taken the attacks in their stride, but civilians are still dying.”

2. Our church planters, Vitaly and Olena Yurchenko, have completed their time in the U.S. and have departed back to Ukraine. On this trip, they visited churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Alabama. Because the churches they visited gave very generous offerings, our war-relief efforts received a welcome boost. Before the Yurchenkos flew out, we filmed Olena sharing her perspective on the war and aid. You can view that video through the following link:

https://vimeo.com/811017358

3. Please pray for our Ukrainian national missionary families, which have been split apart as some family members have become refugees. While all our Ukrainian national missionary men have stayed in Ukraine, that is not the case with their married children with small children. Some of these have become refugees and are now living in Western Europe or the United States. As the war continues, such prolonged separations become increasingly difficult.

4. Through BIEM’s war-relief program, the Lord graciously opened a door none of us could have foreseen. Many of you know BIEM’s Ukrainian Director and church planter, Eugene Buyko. A few days ago, his 50-year-old brother Andrii (who lived near Portland, Oregon) unexpectedly died due to a burst aorta near the heart. Thanks to all the war relief Eugene has been organizing and distributing, he has developed a wonderful reputation with government authorities. Because of this, they granted Eugene the special permission needed to exit Ukraine in just one day so he could attend his brother’s funeral. Such fast paperwork is quite rare. Having Eugene present at this time means a lot to Andrii’s widow, children, and extended family. Andrii had a wonderful testimony for Christ, so it is a great comfort to the family to know he is present with the Lord. Please pray for all the Buyko family.

5. Our church planter Vitaly Bilyak in Ternopil, Ukraine, reports that their church has received permission to visit wounded soldiers who are being treated in two local hospitals. (These hospitals are receiving a large number of such patients.) Many have lost limbs and are suffering from other traumatic injuries. This open door is a direct result of the medical equipment and supplies these hospitals have received from BIEM. Currently, several men from the church are engaged in ongoing outreach to these soldiers. Praise God for this opportunity to share the Gospel with men who have come within a hair of death. May their experiences make them listen and consider their need for Christ more than ever before.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - March 17, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Ukraine’s cultural program that permits men of military age to temporarily travel abroad also applies to various kinds of artists and pastors. However, two high-profile Ukrainians (a comedian and a filmmaker) abused the program by using it to flee. As a result, others may face stricter regulation of that permission. Our hope is that those tightening restrictions will not hinder BIEM from inviting our church planters to come and give firsthand reports to supporting churches.

2. Also concerning our Ukrainian church planters, Vitaly and Olena Yurchenko have been representing BIEM and their ministries in various U.S. churches. This Sunday’s services (Vinemont, AL, and Moulton, AL) will be their last before flying back to Ukraine. In one of those two cities, a local newspaper has already run a feature article on their coming, so we thank the Lord for this opportunity and the positive exposure and the visitors it may bring. May He be glorified in all that is said and done!   

3. Some time ago, we shared the exciting news that a new church was begun in Ternopil in a district that has become home to over 30,000 refugees. Previously, Sergiy and Karina Koop were heavily involved in war relief efforts of their church in Ternopil, where Karina’s father (Vitaly Bilyak) is the pastor and Sergiy the youth pastor. As they poured themselves into reaching out to refugees, this led to the idea of starting a new church in this area, which is called Druzhba (meaning “friendship”). They now report the wonderful news of a salvation decision from their labors and that they will soon be having their first baptism. Praise God!

4. The updated map from the Institute of Religious Freedom showing locations of places of worship destroyed or looted by the Russian military is sobering. It shows that no place in the country is truly safe from missiles and bombs. While we praise the Lord that, thus far, none of the churches built by BIEM have been destroyed, we do not want to be presumptuous. Please join us in praying for continued protection for all our workers.

5. After Russian forces were driven out of Bucha and Hostomel, where such destruction and atrocities happened, the church in Chervona Sloboda housed 18 electricians for 2 months as they worked to restore electricity in the region. Now the church has another opportunity: The Ukrainian military has asked them to house 20 soldiers as war relief for at least 3 weeks while their battalion is reformed. These 20 soldiers are half of 40 survivors from a battalion of 200 who were fighting in Bakhmut. Please pray for the salvation of these men during this time. Following is a link to this week’s video, where Vitaly Yurchenko mentions this development.

https://vimeo.com/809206502

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - March 10, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Our missionary Sasha Petrenko in Goncharivske, Ukraine, joined forces with some others to make yet another evangelistic aid trip, this time to soldiers near the eastern front. Because the Petrenkos live and minister in a military community, Sasha has personal ties with many soldiers, providing access to the same ones he has already preached to multiple times. Among the valuable items Sasha and others delivered to the front was a special large item. Learn more about that trip in our latest video update here.

2. The Ukrainian military asked the church that BIEM’s Vitaly Yurchenko planted in Chervona Sloboda whether they could house 20 soldiers who are to receive a 3-week leave while the battalion is rebuilt. (These men have been involved in some of the heaviest fighting and represent half of the 40 men surviving from their original battalion of 200.) This is a wonderful opportunity to share not just war relief but also the Gospel with these soldiers. Please pray for the Lord to open their eyes spiritually and that they will embrace Christ as Savior.

3. In December, we shared how a young man named Misha (the nephew of a BIEM missionary couple) survived numerous battles and put his faith in Christ. He is now being redeployed to the frontlines in Bakhmut, where life expectancy is very short. As far as we know, Misha is the only believer in his new unit. The family asks, “Please pray for him to stand strong in Christ and to return safely after the war.”

4. Today our website (BaptistInternational.org) was down momentarily.  This was due to a massive attack on the DNS service we use to host our website. Apparently, Russia is behind this as part of the cyber warfare they are conducting against many sites and services in the United States. Please pray that we will be able to continue our internet presence through our website, which has been an important tool in our War Relief efforts. If you have trouble connecting to our site, please try again later. So far, the problems our site is experiencing seem to be intermittent.  

5.  As BIEM continues to depend on local Ukrainian churches to distribute humanitarian aid to the needy, we try to monitor the overall situation among churches during the war. In February, the Institute for Religious Freedom released updated information that, across Ukraine, the number of churches destroyed, severely damaged, or looted by Russian occupation forces has risen to 494. (This figure includes denominations quite different from our own.) But, praise God, of the 50+ church buildings built by BIEM, so far none of them have been destroyed. Only some received superficial damage to windows, etc., from nearby bomb blasts.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - March 3, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Your donations to war relief are helping in ways you might not imagine. For instance, our people in Ternopil have developed close ties with local hospitals treating people injured in the war. Our missionary Vitaly Bilyak shares, “Thanks to your support, we have repeatedly helped the orthopedic trauma department. I have given them a lot of vitamins, multivitamin complex tablets, probiotics, other medicines, dressings… Our last help was extremely important – we purchased and donated a very important product called BoneVit. This preparation is used in treatment when part of the bone is missing. This happens often in war wounds, when shrapnel or a bullet shatters part of the bone into small pieces which are removed, but the limb is fixed. This product helps to restore bone function…. In addition to financial assistance, we try to give the Gospel to children in the hospitals. We have already made spontaneous visits to the wounded. Our brothers are organizing several teams to visit wounded soldiers in hospitals.”

2. When BIEM planted a church in the military town of Desna, it faced opposition from locals. An Orthodox priest warned people to have nothing to do with it. Others criticized, too. But due to the church’s involvement with humanitarian aid made from BIEM, local opinions are greatly changing. Igor Fomichov says, “One morning I received a call from the mayor’s office of our town. I was asked to gather everyone from our church who is involved with humanitarian aid and supporting people in this difficult time. We got together … and the mayor thanked us for our ministry and presented us with letters of thanks for our participation in service and support of the people. We are doing this primarily for God, but we know that in this way we glorify our Heavenly Father…. It’s a good reward and encouragement that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.”

3. Exactly as some Ukrainian pastors predicted, the mass exodus of so many Ukrainians fleeing the war is having permanent repercussions on the nation and on families. After finding safety in new countries, refugees naturally seek out jobs and more stable places to live. They’re making new friends. So, rather than uproot themselves all over again after the war, many have already announced they will not return to Ukraine regardless of the war’s outcome. Many Christian refugees have made the same decision.

4. A couple of days ago, two volunteers from among our brethren were driving a large bus to evacuate a group of children near Kerson. Just 50 meters short of the location where the children were to be picked up, their bus was demolished by a mortar shell. Miraculously, both men survived even though seriously injured. One is facing amputation. Ukrainian believers are praising God that these brave men remain alive. They also praise God the children had not yet boarded the bus.

5. Igor in Desna reports that people in need are reaching out to them after hearing that their church can provide aid to those in need. He shares the story of Natasha and Sergei, a couple who phoned because their disabilities prevented them from traveling. Igor delivered the food and supplies they needed, for which they were sincerely grateful and listened intently as Igor shared the Gospel. Ira, the wife of a soldier who has been battling on the front lines for nearly a year, phoned and asked for help because she was succumbing to alcohol. They have 3 children. Please pray for Igor and our other believers who are ministering to many families like these who need the Lord.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - February 24, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. As you may have heard in the news, today marks the 1-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At that time, “experts” predicted Ukraine’s collapse within days. But people prayed, people gave, and even civilians pitched in to help. Still, even after a full year, people ask, “Why did this happen?” A few days after the invasion, Sam Slobodian preached a message entitled “Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?” which is on our website.  If you have not yet viewed it, here is a link:

“Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?”

A year into this war, we rejoice to see souls coming to Christ, but our hearts break at the countless tragedies and continuing destruction. Please continue praying for the salvation of souls (on both sides of the border), and please continue giving to our War Relief Fund so we can glorify God through loving acts of compassion.

2. In last week's update, we shared that an opportunity to plant a new church has arisen in a town near Hostomel. This opportunity is more fruit from our relief activities, which include sharing the Gospel and distributing Bibles. Now a building for this new church has become available to purchase for $10,000. Please pray for these funds to come in so we can proceed with this project. You can see a video about this opportunity here:

https://vimeo.com/802040762

3. In December, we shared how Misha, the nephew of one of our missionary couples in Ukraine, survived multiple serious battles and eventually put his faith in Christ. He is being sent back into the frontlines in Bakhmut, alias “the meat grinder.” The family writes, “Please pray for him to stand strong in Christ and to return safely after the war.”

4. Sasha Petrenko plans to lead another relief distribution trip to Donbas on Wednesday, March 1. There will be three vehicles loaded with food, warm clothing, batteries, and other supplies going nearly to the war front, where they meet with military acquaintances who deliver these supplies to the soldiers in need. Please pray for their safety and for God to use this effort to open hearts to the Gospel.

5. Igor Fomichov in Desna requests prayer as there has been an upswing in conscripting citizens for the war in that area. Several church members have been conscripted, so there is much concern since conscription eventually leads to being sent into battle. Some from their area are already in Bakhmut, probably the most hazardous area at the present time.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - February 17, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Here’s an exciting announcement—Thanks to the Lord’s blessing through your compassion and generosity, BIEM has now been able to distribute one million dollars of aid to assist victims of the war in Ukraine! Our upcoming Challenger newsletter will share more details, but we hasten to mention this milestone now so you can join us in praising God. “Great things He hath done!” The war and the needs are continuing, but your gifts are making a genuine difference in people’s lives. Thank you!

2. Earlier, we had requested prayer that Vitaly Bilyak would be able to exit Ukraine temporarily to visit supporting churches and bring updated, personal reports of ministry in Ukraine. He was granted that permission, so thank you for praying. This permission was definitely not guaranteed in these times of war when Ukraine is so selective about who it permits to leave and why. We trust believers will be edified and God will be glorified through this trip.

3. More spiritual fruit from physical seeds—In the formerly occupied area of Hostomel, Ukraine (near Bucha), BIEM workers had distributed aid and a generator. Now a small group of people is meeting regularly for Bible studies. There is potential for a new church plant in this needy area. Please pray for God to open people’s eyes. Please pray for God to open people’s eyes to their spiritual needs so they can embrace Christ.

4. A Ukrainian couple who has assisted in distributing aid since the beginning of the invasion suffered a traffic accident that caused major damage to the rear of their truck while on one of these missions of mercy. Through the video link below, you can hear them tell about this ministry along with their gratitude to BIEM for financial assistance to repair the truck to continue this vital work. In this particular case, BIEM served as the financial channel for a generous financial gift from The Carpenter’s Project, an independent Baptist ministry that facilitates church planting and church growth in unevangelized countries:

https://vimeo.com/799649329

5. The church in Ternopil, Ukraine, has provided war relief to thousands of war refugees. Through this outreach, church planter Vitaly Bilyak connected with a local hospital treating a steady stream of wounded soldiers. Although grateful for food, clothing, bedding, and basic medicines, the surgeons asked whether the church could obtain the specialized medical equipment needed to restore severely damaged limbs. We praise God for our friendship with Jan Milton at Operation Renewed Hope. A couple of months ago, that ministry provided a huge amount of these specific items. Just this week, they filled a second order of special requests for that hospital. This medical aid will enable hospital personnel to restore mobility to a good number of injured ones. As a bonus, Vitaly states this provision has established a warm relationship with the physicians and staff. Please join us in praying these efforts will also lead to the salvation of souls.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - February 10, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Last year, we shared how church planter Igor Fomichov and two other brothers from his church received medals from the Ukrainian military in recognition of their valuable actions in supplying humanitarian-aid meals to the local military. The church continues to aid both civilians and the military members. As a result, 8 more people in that church have been informed they will be receiving similar awards for their civilian contributions to the local military’s needs.

2. Vitaly Bilyak and his church-planter son-in-law Sergiy Koop have returned from another successful trip to beleaguered Donbas in the east of Ukraine. There, they distributed food aid, sleeping bags, and candles made possible by BIEM, but first they shared the Gospel, because “man doth not live by bread alone.” The recipients repeatedly thanked them, not just for the aid, but also for the simple fact that they cared enough to endanger themselves by coming.

3. In Ternopil, church planters Sergiy Koop and their wife Karina recently delivered some relief in the form of groceries with 2 women (among others) who are refugees from Donetsk. The recipients expressed openness and eagerness to learn what’s in the Bible. So, once again, a delivery of groceries has given birth to a home Bible study!

4. Due to his church’s experience in distributing aid made possible by BIEM, our missionary in Lviv, Yura Levtseniuk, received a question from the Polish consulate in his city. Could the church help distribute humanitarian from Poland among war refugee children in the Lviv area? Brother Levtseniuk appreciated that sign of trust and agreed to help. The church had already planned evangelistic meetings for such children, so this aid was distributed along with New Testaments. Praise God for unexpected provisions and opportunities!

5. Also in Lviv, when the Levtseniuks’ daughter was suffering from a physical condition, they rushed her to the hospital. There, she received the medical attention she needed, but the Lord also allowed Yura a conversation with the head physician. That doctor explained how their hospital regularly receives refugee mothers and children who are cold, hungry, and sick. The Levtseniuks and others returned with aid provided by BIEM and filled the shortages the hospital was experiencing. Yura declared, “We are now in a trusting relationship with the head physician. We brought children’s books, and New Testaments. I believe it’s the Lord who sends us these acquaintances.”

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - February 3, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. We thank the Lord that Vitaly Yurchenko has received temporary permission to exit Ukraine to share in supporting churches in the U.S. how war relief is being used. At our request, Vitaly Bilyak has begun the same application process. Please say a prayer that he, too, will receive permission. American believers greatly appreciate a chance to meet and hear our men from overseas in person, especially in these times when Ukraine is so much in the news.

2. The churches with whom BIEM works in Ukraine continue to exercise creativity and personal involvement as they touch lives with war relief. For instance, in Bilogorodka (near Kyiv), the church hosted a special luncheon for women who have a husband, son, or grandson in the war. Such ladies filled the auditorium. During that time, the guests heard the Gospel and received New Testaments along with a sack of groceries. To hear more, click the link below for a brief video of Sofia Buyko telling about the event:

https://vimeo.com/795606429

3. Previously we had asked you to pray concerning our upcoming time of discussion in a neutral country with our Russian missionaries. We have now returned but while there enjoyed a fruitful time with our missionaries. They continue to serve God, both in the church and outside the church with various kinds of evangelism. In fact, brother Pavel Rumachik reports his church has grown so much that the congregation has outgrown their building’s second addition. They now face the task of further expansion. Within the next few days, we’ll be posting our February update video featuring him discussing all these blessings. If you are not receiving our BIEM monthly videos, you can sign up here to get them.

4. Our War Relief efforts have recently produced an opportunity to distribute aid and share the Gospel in a public school building in the Kyiv region. The building has been transformed into a facility housing many refugees and orphaned children. Our aid resulted in an invitation to hold Bible studies in a nearby business establishment. Praise God for open hearts. Please pray that this exciting development would lead to the salvation of souls for the glory of God.

5. We previously mentioned how a young man named Bogdan received Christ at the Desna Christian Rehabilitation Center before he was drafted into the Ukrainian military. Recently at that Rehab Center, another man named Fedya was also drafted. Both men had been involved in distributing humanitarian aid from BIEM to needy ones. We invite you to pray for these believers not only to stand firm in their faith but to shine for God in their new surroundings.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - January 27, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Last week we asked for prayer concerning Vitaly Yurchenko’s application for special permission to leave Ukraine and visit the United States again. We are glad to report that he and his wife Alona did receive this permission, so they will be with us for several weeks in February and March. We look forward to having him in supporting churches to give firsthand reports on how our relief efforts in Ukraine are opening the hearts of Ukrainians to turn to God and receive Christ as personal Savior. Thank you for praying!

2. Sasha Petrenko has returned safely from the battlefront in the East, where he and two others supplied warm clothing and many other needed supplies, including a generator, to a division of soldiers from their area. Because Sasha’s regular ministry focuses on the military base in Goncharovsk (near the Belarusian border), he and those with him personally know some of the recipients of their aid. They were able to distribute New Testaments to many soldiers and share the Gospel. You can view his report at the following link:

https://vimeo.com/792677694

3. Many friends have contacted us for news regarding the draft notice that Igor, our church planter in the military city of Desna, received along with the other men on the city council. For now, Igor and these other deputies (councilmen and government representatives similar to our congressmen are called deputies in Ukraine) have jointly decided to disregard these notices, thinking that this may be some kind of aberration. Please pray that this matter will simply go away. One decision Igor and his wife Sasha made was for her to remain in the Ukrainian military. Since completing her training as an infantry soldier, she has worked in the training and support departments. They had been planning for her to terminate her service. However, they now feel that if he receives further draft notices while she is performing vital logistical work for the military, her duties will protect him from conscription.

4. On December 16 we shared how a young man named Bogdan visited his uncle at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Desna, Ukraine, with the goal of enlisting at the nearby military base. But when he heard the Gospel and believed on Christ, he altered his plan and stayed to learn more about God. As an update, Bogdan has now been conscripted into the military. Before leaving, he declared that, when he returns, he wants to serve on the staff of the rehab center where he first heard the Gospel and received salvation.

5. In January, BIEM’s Bruce Tuttle and local pastors Slava and Igor traveled with a team of Christian men and women to a village in the war zone. The pastor of the village church had been killed by shrapnel, leaving behind a wife and several children. Through that pastor’s testimony and death, many in the village who never attended church before have been coming to services and hearing the Gospel. The team conducted a church service plus a children’s day camp. As a result, another woman in the village trusted Christ. Of course, seeds of the Gospel were planted in many other hearts. May God water those seeds and harvest more souls.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - January 20, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. I, along with BIEM board member Kevin Gaugler, have returned from Ukraine. Besides attending our Winter Seminary session, we were able to attend two ordinations of our seminary graduates and distribute several generators. We were blessed with answered prayer in that our border crossings went very smoothly. On the way in, we were able to cross in just under two hours even though just days before lines were 8 to 13 hours long. On the trip back, we crossed the border in just under 1 hour! Thank you to the many who prayed specifically about these crossings! Praise God!

2. Two of our Ukrainian church planters who have been involved in distributing humanitarian aid, Vitaly Bilyak and Vitaly Yurchenko, are making plans to travel to the United States in February. The purpose would be to visit supporting churches and to personally present the needs and opportunities at this current time. Please pray that their applications will be approved. Although they both received approval to temporarily leave Ukraine at the end of last year, it is far from certain they will be allowed to exit Ukraine again due to the fears of another Russian invasion from Belarus and the increased conscription efforts mentioned in last week’s update.

3. In recent days, our church planters Sasha Petrenko and Vitaly Bilyak have each made another evangelism/aid trip to the volatile Donbas area in Eastern Ukraine. At risk to their own selves, these men delivered most importantly God’s Word (both in short sermons and printed New Testaments) along with such aid as is currently in great demand—food parcels, loaves of fresh bread, warm socks, gloves, thermal underwear, candles, blankets, and generators. Although the most critical need is the salvation of souls, our men also keep in mind such words as James 2:15-16—“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” May God use such trips to save bodies and souls, and may God be glorified through them.

4. Many have asked how the war is affecting our Russian national missionaries. Obviously, they cannot discuss this in any correspondence or phone conversations, but it is certainly creating difficulties. Next week I will be meeting with some of our Russian national missionaries in a nearby neutral country. Please pray that these meetings would result in obtaining information so we can more effectively pray for them, support them, and encourage them in their challenging ministries during these difficult times.

5. Although countless members of churches in Ukraine have fled the country for the safety of other lands, services are still full. Because of the fears, suffering, and uncertainty caused by the war, people who never attended church before are coming. And even though we never would have prayed for war, God is using it to get people's attention. In this way, many are hearing the Gospel and accepting Christ as Savior! As just one example, in the church in Chervona Sloboda—which has become well known for its outreaches and aid—there's a man named Arkady. He had spent 31 years in prison for murder. Many would've assumed such an individual would be too hardened to express any spiritual interest. But as a result of the war, he began coming to church services and listening. He placed faith in Christ and now regularly wears a smile and is growing in the Lord. Praise God for working in this man's life and in the lives of so many others!

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - January 13, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1.     Praise God for the good attendance at our Winter Seminary Session in Kyiv. Despite weeks of intense Russian attacks preceding the session, and despite the drones, missiles, and bombs that much of the country was enduring, our Ukrainian brethren decided to go ahead with classes. Many prayed that students would be able to overcome logistical obstacles to attend. We are glad to report that 22 registered students did attend. Plus, some others audited the courses, which brought the total attendance to 30.

2.     In another answer to prayer, we are relieved to report that in the areas where we’ve been traveling—in both Western and Eastern Ukraine—there have not been any new attacks from Russia. Sirens did sound one time, but that later proved to be the result of Russian planes taking off from a base in nearby Belarus. These planes later returned to base without crossing into Ukrainian airspace. Air raid sirens go off in Ukraine whenever Russian planes lift off from Belarusian airfields because there have been so many bombing attacks on Ukraine from Russian planes operating out of Belarus.

3.     In July, the Institute for Religious Freedom issued a report that Russian military activities had destroyed or ruined over 270 churches and “religious sites” in Ukraine. Although the IfR has not attempted to update exact figures, this was their conclusion in December: “We can foresee that in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, where hostilities are still ongoing, the scale of destruction of religious buildings will continue to increase. At the same time, this does not exclude the dangers to religious communities in western and central regions of Ukraine: as a result of missile strikes by Russian troops, even an Orthodox Church in Lviv was damaged. So, given the clearly unlawful methods of warfare that Russia is using, we can surely state that every religious community in Ukraine, regardless of its religious affiliation and regional location, is in danger to a certain degree.”

4.     Everywhere we go, Ukrainians express concern that Russia is preparing another invasion targeting Kyiv and will soon launch a second mobilization (this time aimed at conscripting 500,000 more men). Please pray this will not happen. Most analysts in the West do not believe such a scenario will take place, but here in Ukraine this is what their military and intelligence authorities are predicting.

5.     In direct response to the threat mentioned above, Ukraine is ramping up its military numbers by conscripting thousands more Ukrainians. BIEM personnel have felt the effects directly. An attempt at conscription was made upon Sergei Skripnik, our missionary in the western city of Borschiv. He was apprehended by a group of men who wanted to take him directly to a military recruiting station. It seemed to Sergei that the way they were going about it was illegal, especially when they refused to show him any identification. At that point, his wife began to film the incident on her phone. Her action prompted these aggressive men to abandon their efforts to conscript Sergei. Also, Igor Fomichov pastors the church in the military city of Desna and sits on the city council. At the last council meeting, military officials showed up and issued draft notices to Igor and all the men on the city council. This has happened in at least one other city. Please pray for Igor. You can imagine how concerned he and his family are, as well as all of us at BIEM. Compelling Igor into military service would be counterproductive to Ukraine, considering the immense amount of aid he has provided to both civilians and the military alike. In fact, the Ukrainian military bestowed medals on him and two others in his church in recognition of the huge help they have been. His conscription would also be a significant blow to our ministry efforts in that area. Pray that God would be gracious to the Desna church and keep their pastor in his place.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - January 6, 2023

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Among their personal friends and contacts, BIEM’s missionary family the Kellers spearheaded a separate drive to raise funds for generators in war-torn Ukraine. In 2 months, they raised another $85,000 for generators, the first of which are already in use. Initial locations to receive generators include a church in Makalevichi (Zhytomyr region), an evangelistic Christian coffee shop in Pryluky, a Christian children’s club, a church in Mukachevo, and a repair brigade for Ukrainian military vehicles. May God be praised for this help.

2. Commenting on his recent delivery of war relief items to Bakhmut, the area of most intense fighting, Vitaly Bilyak says, “I had 122 boxes, each containing 26.5 lbs. of groceries. The cost of each box was around $17. Almost everywhere, people asked for flashlights, power banks, and batteries for flashlights. I had about 10 warm blankets, but that was negligible. We left Bakhmut in almost total darkness. We were glad we had served people and shared the Gospel. We prayed with people and for people.”

3. BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko recently made yet another trip to carry Scriptures and war relief to Donbas. He states, “God blessed me to make another trip to our military in Donbas, thanks to the BIEM mission. It was a blessed trip in which I saw and felt the protection and mercy of God. I could go and distribute New Testaments, also New Testament recordings on audio players, and give the men the necessary things so they can be as comfortable as possible. We delivered warm clothes, food, and propane tanks with which they can cook their own food in the trenches, etc.”

4. One item from last week’s updates was a prayer request for me, since I was soon heading to Ukraine with a pastor from Indiana. I requested prayer for safety and a smooth border crossing since lines at the border were then 8-13 hours long. God has already in large part answered those prayers since we were able to cross the border in less than two hours. Furthermore, Putin announced a halt to the bombings this weekend in observance of the Orthodox Christmas, which is on January 7. Therefore, traveling in Ukraine over the weekend should be safer if Putin honors his statement. Please keep praying since I will remain in Ukraine throughout next week.

5. Our first stop was in Lviv, where church-planter brother Yuri is doing a great work. They have housed and fed over 4,000 refugees. One family just arrived from an occupied area, but minus their 27-year-old daughter, who was in the military and was murdered by the Russians. The Russian military then arrived at their home and told the family they could come and retrieve the body of their daughter. When they arrived, they were shocked, horrified, and heartbroken because her body had been cut into many pieces. We might soon post a video of the mother (Nelly) sharing their story in one of our upcoming war relief videos.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - December 30, 2022

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Last night, BIEM’s Vitaly Yurchenko and family experienced a close call when one of the Russian rockets bombarding Kyiv flew within 200 meters of their home. Although the rocket was intercepted midair, the resulting explosion shook their home. Fragments damaged 10 nearby houses and many automobiles. Please continue to pray for the safety of our Ukrainian missionaries and their families.

2. Despite the war, our brethren plan to hold the winter session of the Kyiv Seminary starting on January 9th. Please pray that students will be able to attend regardless of the cold and logistical challenges involved during this time. Also, please pray that bombings will not interrupt our session and that the threatened invasion from the Belarussian border to the north will not take place.

3. Sam Slobodian and Kevin Gaugler (a BIEM board member) plan to travel to Ukraine next week to participate in the Seminary session in Kyiv. Please pray for their safety and for smooth border crossings. In recent days, long lines have developed at the border crossings between Ukraine and Poland. This situation has resulted in lines of 10-13 hours to cross in either direction. Please pray for this situation to improve.

4. On Christmas Day, one BIEM missionary wrote, “Praise God, today one man trusted Christ in the Ukrainian village of Nastashka at the service. They have lights due to the generator we took to them. Thank you for your prayers and support. God’s name is being magnified!”

5. On November 22 in the city of Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region, the Russian military kidnapped the deacon of the Evangelical Christian church. He was father of many children and known in the region for his charity, sensitivity, and positive Christian example. Anatoly Prokopchuk was born in 1970, and his son Oleksandr was born in 2003. On November 26, 2022, their bodies were found bearing signs of extreme torture, mutilated beyond recognition. Pray for the comfort of wife Iryna Vitalyivna, a daughter, five sons, three daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. Revelation 6:10, “And they cried out with a loud voice, saying: how long, holy and true Lord, will you not judge and avenge those living on earth for our blood?”

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - December 22, 2022

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. On Thursday, Vitaly Bilyak completed the trip back home after ministering to people’s needs in the region of Bakhmut. He delivered food, clothing, and candles. Most importantly, he used this opportunity to preach the Gospel and to distribute New Testaments to people surviving in homes near the battlefields. He thanks everyone who prayed for this trip.

2. A few days ago, BIEM missionary Bruce Tuttle wrote from Ukraine, "Our men – including a number of our graduates – return from the heavily afflicted zones close to the front, and they are sober and broken-hearted. I had to miss the last trip but expect to travel with them early in January. For that trip, we expect to remain over a Sunday and preach in a church service. We hope to be able to spend nights in heated homes or buildings, but that is not always the case. One of our graduates who is regularly taking similar journeys into another critical area reported that on his last journey at least 3 people repented and put their trust in Christ. That makes all the hours and difficulties of travel, and all the dangers, worthwhile, doesn’t it?!"

3. Despite the war and interruptions in power and water, many of our church plants are conducting special Christmas meetings to bring in people from the community to hear the Gospel, receive gifts, and obtain New Testaments. These special outreaches will continue through January 7 – their traditional date for Christmas observance - because they celebrate both Christmases.

4. BIEM’s Field Director for Central Asia shared that some of the Central Asian missionaries have asked him to withhold a good portion of their support funds and instead direct them to specific Ukrainian war refugees who are in need so they can pray for them and keep up with how they are doing. A couple of such needy families have been identified and helped on their behalf. Please pray that they would be saved. What a blessing their salvation would be to the Central Asian brethren who sacrificed out of their meager funds to reach people for Christ!

5. In the Druzhba district of Ternopil, Ukraine, new church planters Sergiy and Karina Koop recently held a special event commemorating International Bible Day. In order to reach neighbors - especially the many refugees in the area - they hung a banner, printed flyers, and went door to door inviting people. The Lord blessed their efforts with many people that day. The Koops had already delivered food aid to some refugees in the area, and they will be delivering more to needy ones they have now contacted. May the Lord bless their ministry as they seek to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of refugees and the local residents.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - December 16, 2022

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. On December 14, the long-awaited container for which we have prayed so much finally arrived at the church in Ternopil, Ukraine. Let me say a heartfelt “Thank you” to all of you who joined us in praying for this load of aid and supplies to reach its destination after so many delays along the way. May God be glorified as this aid goes out to needy ones across multiple cities in the coming days!

2. Vadim, the military brother of one of our Ukrainian associates, has been in Bakhmut, probably the area of most intense fighting with many casualties daily on both sides. We were able to provide him with some extremely high-tech equipment, like a thermal imaging visor and a highly specialized compass. Those who delivered these items asked Vadim, “Is there anything else you need?” He immediately answered, “Our greatest need is prayer. God is the only one who can help us.” He then proceeded to tell how many in his unit who daily face death and destruction are turning to God, repenting of their sins, and trusting Christ as Savior. Praise God!

3. We are continuing to purchase generators for churches. (Today alone, another reported 76 Russian missiles were launched at Ukraine, again destroying portions of the energy grid). Just this week, BIEM purchased over $50,000 worth of generators in Ukraine, Poland, and Germany. We praise God and thank you, dear friends, for enabling us to bless people in this way.

4. Appreciation! Congregations are thanking us (and you, our supporters) for the gifts of warmth and light in their church buildings. Here’s an excerpt from one such church: “We remember you and thank you very much for helping to purchase the generator. Every time we start it, we remember you and sincerely thank you for your care…. When we told the senior members of the church that they could stay home from church if they are cold, they responded that [during Soviet times] they used to gather in the forest for worship services, so this temperature is still very good in such an anxious time.”

5. Brother Igor reports that one of the men in their Drug and Alcohol rehab program was contacted by his nephew Bogdan, who urgently wanted to join the military and defend Ukraine. Since Igor's ministry is on a Ukrainian military base, the church has many contacts and could assist Bogdan with such a placement. When Bogdan arrived, he began by visiting his uncle in the rehab center. There, during their regular sessions, he heard the Gospel, repented, and trusted Christ! He quickly concluded he needed to spend more time there to learn Bible truth and grow spiritually. So, he decided to stay even though he is not addicted to drugs or alcohol. Bogdan stated, “I came here to join the military and go to war so that I could be closer to the action. However, God has redirected me to get me closer to Him instead.”

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - December 9, 2022

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Here’s an example of divine timing: A pastor in Ukraine had picked up one of the generators taken in by BIEM personnel. He was driving it into his village to take it to the church when the village mayor flagged him down. The mayor said, "We have a big problem in the village. Nobody has any power. Is there anything you can come up with? Anything we could do?"

The pastor said, "Yes, hop in the car. I was just going to set up a generator. When I get it set up at the church, we will make it available for the entire village. There will be coffee, there will be tea, and people can come to warm up and charge their cell phones. There will somebody to talk to as well." The Lord is using similar situations to send spiritual conversations to people who never would’ve entered a church before!

2. Friends wonder about the Ukrainian people’s mood after 10 months of war and deprivations. Their national mood is amazingly resilient. Despite the cold, the missiles, and so many hardships, they remain committed to defending their homeland. In fact, despite the war, even the Kyiv Zoo continues operating, giving individuals and families a calm retreat, where they can stroll in nature while viewing the animals. 

3. Church planter Sasha Petrenko recently returned from a trip to Donetsk, where God gave him opportunities to preach to soldiers and distribute Ukrainian New Testaments and audio Bibles.  Here’s a link to a video concerning that trip: 

https://vimeo.com/779668812

4. Here’s an interesting story from Mikhail, the son of BIEM’s director for Ukraine: "For 4 years I’ve been studying at the music academy.... There are local legends among the students, the ones everyone invites to play at concerts ... because they are the best musicians. One such musician is Serhiy. He plays the viola.... We sometimes greeted each other, exchanged a few words, and parted.... During the war, all the study groups on social networks posted that this Serhiy had gone to the front and needed help. At that same time, we received aid in the form of dry army rations and various other assistance. I found Serhiy’s contact information, wrote who I am, and told him I could send aid. Of course, he did not refuse. He texted me instructions where to ship the package. While I was gathering items for him, he texted something else. He wrote that in his childhood he had attended Christian camps and went to the same church as us. But we never talked enough to know that. So, we put together a bigger, heavier parcel for him—so big the regular post office refused to accept it. We had to ship it from a special post office for large parcels to remind Serhiy of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and the brotherly love he teaches us. And then, with a man I barely knew, I had a feeling that we’ve known each other all my life. Our family thanks God for not forgetting His children and always caring about us. We’re also grateful to you for your help and love for us. God’s Blessings!"

5. Thanks to gifts from people like you, BIEM has now distributed more than $800,000 of war relief aid to over 100 churches in Ukraine! And even though the war continues to create needs, each of those dollars represents a life that has been touched and helped in the name of the Lord. THANK YOU to each of you who is helping us to minister to others for the glory of God!

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - December 2, 2022

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, more than 7.8 million Ukrainians have fled their homeland to seek refuge in other countries. Although some have returned to Ukraine, their government is encouraging refugees not to come back before spring due to the increased strain their presence would place on the crippled power grid. Unfortunately, the situation is prolonging the division of countless families, with members inside and outside Ukraine.

2. Despite the war, our brethren are planning a seminary session for our students in early January. They feel that continuing to hold regular seminary sessions is crucial for students despite the difficulty of doing so during wartime. So, plans are underway for early next month, including American pastors returning to teach in Ukraine for the first time since the war began. Please pray for these plans. In this week’s War Relief Video, Vitaly Yurchenko mentions the Seminary. You can view this at the following link:

https://vimeo.com/777413088 

3. Let me share this insight from Bruce Tuttle, one of our missionaries in Ukraine:

“I had breakfast with Pastor Igor this morning. A couple of times I had to choke back tears as he told me of a foray into eastern Ukraine, from which he returned only yesterday. Igor drove his large truck, filled with both metal and concrete roofing panels, plastic sheeting for temporary replacement of shattered windows, wood for reconstruction, tons of potatoes, other foods, candles, etc. Three other men (one of whom is another of our graduates) made the trip as well, with 2 large vans also loaded with products.

“Wherever they went, there was great devastation and many impassable roads. They did not dare to leave well-traveled roads and lanes for fear of encountering land mines. They wear bulletproof vests or flak jackets (some of rather dubious quality). Our men are venturing ever more closely to the front lines of battle, to reach people who are experiencing such losses, and such helplessness and hopelessness. Igor told me of one giant of a man, about 42 years old, whose wife and children left him. This fellow has only recently repented and trusted Christ. Because of the war, he has neither work nor money. Beside all of that, his home has been destroyed by bombs. The man sat and wept.” 

4. The Gospel puppet theatre BIEM has sponsored for several years has been a very effective ministry. The puppet team has had numerous opportunities to share the Gospel in public schools, orphanages, churches, prisons, and even at city functions. However, the war has caused an issue that needs to be resolved. Before the war, Kyiv was mostly Russian speaking. The war changed that as residents quickly shifted to the Ukrainian language to distance themselves from the invaders. So, although the soundtracks used by the Gospel puppet theatre are in Russian and everyone understands them, the population’s shift to Ukrainian has been so profound it’s no longer publicly acceptable to use those soundtracks. Therefore, this ministry is facing a huge challenge in translating and re-recording all their Russian soundtracks into Ukrainian. This is no easy task, especially during a time of war and frequent power outages. Please pray that the Lord will aid the puppet team in this task so that their ministry can resume and minister to souls.

5. For months, our brethren in Ukraine have been praying for 3 specific Baptist churches in Kherson. During the occupation, the Russian military looted church property then seized the actual church buildings. Two were converted into barracks for their soldiers. Now that Kherson has been liberated, God has answered their prayers and all three pastors and congregations have their buildings returned and are once again worshipping and serving in them.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM

War Relief Updates - November 23, 2022

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

Dear Friends of BIEM,

1. Last week we mentioned that a local newspaper in South Dakota interviewed us to publicize the meeting there with brother Igor. Not only did that interview make the paper, but it turned out to be the front-page story. The publicity was so successful that there were more visitors than church members present to hear brother Igor. Here is a link where you can view this news article:

South Dakota Newspaper Article

2. This message from Ukraine, which we just received, is typical of the personal updates we’re receiving: “Our relatives just called, their region is being hit with missiles. Their infrastructure is taken out, no water, sewer, heat, or electric, sounds like this may be the case in Kyiv as well.” Our own check of independent news agencies confirms that Ukraine’s power grid has been destroyed on a “colossal” scale, with nearly no thermal or hydroelectric stations left unscathed.”

3. On Monday, November 28, Vitaly Bilyak plans to make a trip into the liberated city of Kherson with both food aid and Bibles to distribute. Although he and church members have made multiple trips to the eastern front, this will be his first to the southern city of Kherson. He requests prayers for God’s protection and guidance throughout this trip. (P.S. In the past week, he successfully transported from Poland the 3 generators ordered for Ukraine.)

4. Thanks to the new generator the Ternopil church now has, that congregation is planning to create a “warming center,” which they will advertise in the community. Anyone who is cold and needs a place to warm up can come in for relief from the frigid temperatures. In turn, this center will give church members opportunities to share their salvation testimonies and the Gospel with such visitors.

5. At the brand-new church they are planting in the Druzhba district of Ternopil, Serhiy and Karina Koop are planning an event for next week called “The Day of the Bible.” This outreach is geared to attract visitors, but the Koops hope especially to reach refugees who need to hear the Gospel.

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM