The new year started off with the churches in Sumy providing a Christmas lunch, material and spiritual support along with a brochure sharing encouragement, prayer, and the hope of the gospel to military personal. Following on from a year of hardship, the team shared a report of their work, and their gratitude to God and to all who pray and support this work, reflecting on how practical ministry leads many to give thanks and glory to God. Despite hardship, hopelessness, weakness, disappointment, illness and other difficulties, the team spoke of unity, perseverance, and the privilege of serving together as part of one Christian family.
Looking ahead, with God’s help, the team in Sumy are hoping to visit a different village each Sunday over the coming months to share the gospel, if the military situation allows. However, there is real concern as the front line continues to move closer to Sumy, which may significantly limit where they are able to travel. We would value prayer for wisdom, protection, and open doors as these plans are considered week by week.
Donetsk Outreach
Throughout January, the team also made numerous trips to the Donetsk region, close to the front line. Gospel meetings were held in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, alongside with the distribution of humanitarian aid, including Tena pads, food, wheelchairs, and rollators. In one particularly moving moment, a woman who had been searching desperately for a wheelchair for a long time attended the church service that day. When she received one, she expressed profound thankfulness, describing it as a gift from God. Moments like these continue to remind us how the Lord uses both His Word and practical care to bring comfort and hope.
Sumy and Kharkiv Outreach
At the same time, other teams were active in north-eastern Ukraine, visiting Yampil, Malynivka, and Chuykivka to evangelise and minister to the people there. We were greatly encouraged to hear how faithfully the Bible was preached in all of these locations, despite extremely harsh winter conditions, with temperatures in some areas falling to –20 or even –30 degrees Celsius. This winter has been the harshest Ukraine has faced since the 2022 invasion. With electricity and water supplies frequently unavailable, basic items such as hygiene products, mobility aids, and food are needed more than ever, and are received with deep gratitude.
We also received confirmation that the shipment sent from Ballynahinch Baptist Church on Christmas Eve arrived safely. It was received by our partner Georgy in Chernivtsi and then forwarded on to Kharkiv, where it was collected by the Sumy team. We thank God for His protection over this delivery and for everyone involved in making it possible.
During January, the team also visited both men’s and women’s prisons, where they preached the Word, shared the gospel, and spent time ministering to them. Alongside this, they distributed small gifts such as croissants, cookies, apples, and sweets. These visits were a powerful reminder that the hope of Christ is for all, and that no place is beyond the reach of the gospel.
On the 13th of January, one team set out to hold services and loaded their vehicle with humanitarian aid. However, due to heavy drone attacks in Sumy, they were unable to proceed with the planned meetings. The following day, they were able to travel to Kamyanka, where the Word was shared with 35 people. Those present expressed sincere appreciation for the fellowship and conversation, and the team were particularly encouraged by how openly and warmly the children engaged with them. Ninety support packages were distributed during this visit.
In the days that followed, further services were held in Neplyuyevo, Chuykivka and Yampil, along with visits to Pyhorivka and Lukashenka. Over the course of two days, around 140 people heard the Word of God, and additional aid packages were distributed. The team returned encouraged, thankful for the opportunity to serve, and conscious once again of the immense need, both spiritual and physical, that remains.
Biblical Reflection
As we reflect on these reports, we are reminded that the work of the gospel has always advanced through both word and deed. Jesus Himself “went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35). In Ukraine today, this same pattern continues: the Word faithfully preached, and love shown through practical care for those in need.
The apostle Paul reminds us that such service is never wasted. Writing to the Corinthians, he explains that practical ministry not only meets urgent needs, but also causes “many thanksgivings to God” and results in glory being given to Him (2 Corinthians 9:12–13). Even in the midst of war, hardship, and deep uncertainty, God is at work strengthening His people, drawing hearts to Himself, and reminding us that hope is found not in circumstances, but in Christ.
As these teams preach in bitter cold, distribute aid near the front line, and minister to those often forgotten, including prisoners and the displaced, we are reminded that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). May we continue to pray, give thanks, and stand alongside our brothers and sisters, trusting that the Lord is building His kingdom even in the most difficult places.
Prayer Points
We would value your continued prayers for the following specific needs:
- Provision of Tena pads, which remain the most urgently needed item for ongoing evangelistic and humanitarian work across Ukraine.
- Transportation of aid, particularly the provision of new promotional codes from the Ukrainian courier Nova Poshta, which allow humanitarian goods to be transported free of charge within Ukraine. We were not successful in securing the most recently issued codes, and would value prayer that new opportunities might open at the next distribution.
- Safety and wisdom for the teams, especially as the front line continues to move closer to Sumy, affecting travel plans and access to villages.
- Open hearts to the gospel, that those who hear God’s Word, whether in villages, churches, prisons, or frontline towns, would be drawn to Christ and strengthened in hope.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer and support as this work continues.
Notes of Thanks
We are thankful to Ballynahinch Baptist Church for the continued use of their facilities for storage, preparation, and shipments. Their generosity and faithful support behind the scenes make this ongoing work possible.
We are also grateful to Habitat for Humanity ReStore Lisburn, who kindly donate their surplus mobility aids and pads to us to send to Ukraine.
We also thank all donors, volunteers, couriers, church partners, and especially those serving on the ground in Ukraine. Your labour is not in vain.
Links
- Ballynahinch Baptist Church (BBC)
https://www.ballynahinchbaptist.org/ - Habitat for Humanity ReStore Lisburn
https://www.habitatireland.org/ - Ganta Fonds (Latvia)
https://www.facebook.com/gantafonds