European Christian Mission International (ECMI) says that, among Baptists alone, around 160 Ukrainian churches have been planted across Europe during the past four years.
ECMI’s Strategic Partnerships Director, Jim Memory, recently attended the Ukrainian Baptist Churches in Europe Conference in Poland. “He came away deeply encouraged by what God is doing through Ukrainian Christians across the continent,” ECMI said.
“Increasingly, Ukrainian believers are refusing to see themselves only as refugees” ECMI added. “Instead, many are embracing a different calling – missionaries sent by God into the nations of Europe. This story reminds us of the early church in the book of Acts. When persecution scattered the first Christians, the gospel spread wherever they went.”
Meanwhile in Ukraine, Kyiv Theological Seminary recently suffered damage when, according to its rector, a Russian ballistic missile struck “approximately 200 metres (650 feet)” from its campus.
Ruslan Khmyz, Rector of Kyiv Theological Seminary, said: “The blast caused significant damage to our facilities. Forty-one windows were shattered, parts of the roof were damaged, several interior rooms require repair, and office and technical equipment essential to our ministry was destroyed. By God’s grace, no one on campus was injured.”
Khmyz said: “For more than four years, Kyiv has lived under the constant threat of Russian missile and drone attacks. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the area surrounding Kyiv Theological Seminary has repeatedly experienced missile strikes and drone attacks. Air-raid sirens, explosions, and nights spent in shelters have become part of everyday life for our students, faculty, and staff.”
“We would be deeply grateful if Christians and churches in Britain would continue to stand with Ukraine in prayer,” Khmyz added. “Please pray for God’s protection over our people, for wisdom and endurance for pastors and church leaders, for healing for those carrying the physical and emotional wounds of war, and that the Ukrainian church would remain faithful to Christ and His mission.”
