Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary Update July 2024
“Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (Ps 139:12).
Since February 2021, The Outreach Foundation has been following developments in Ukraine closely. The war is not going well for Ukraine, though we remain positive and want only to encourage them in their dark hours. Russia’s latest attacks have increased pressure on the fragile power grid. Ukraine now imports more than 50% of its needed energy. Attacks in Kyiv, such as the one that made our national news on Monday, July 8, are common. The age of conscription in Ukraine continues to drop, and the age of those actively fighting includes men in their sixties.
Our partner, Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS), has been a constant presence to those suffering in Ukraine, showing that their darkness is not undoing God’s work. His light shines through UETS and the people who work there. Recently we received word from Dr. Ivan Rusyn, UETS president, that the situation on the ground is difficult. “This is a scary situation,” he observed. The large generators provided two years ago by The Outreach Foundation run each day for at least six hours. Humanitarian relief efforts through the seminary team continue in areas where the war is felt intensely, especially among war-affected children and the elderly. UETS fuels the ministry of churches located in places too dangerous for larger relief organizations, and the stories of transformation are inspiring.
Recently, Ivan shared with us a story of the baptism of Andreii, a soldier fighting on the eastern front. Andreii joined the army as a volunteer in one of the artillery units, with over half of his unit having been killed. His family relocated to Kyiv and became Christians after spending a lot of time with Ivan and Ivan’s congregation. Andreii, a professed agnostic, heard from his family about the prayers for specific soldiers at the church, and he asked to be put on the list. He listened to the worship services, including Ivan’s preaching, and when the congregation prayed for Andreii by name, he shared this with his unit. This led to several conversations between Ivan and Andreii, culminating in his baptism on July 4. While we were celebrating our country's freedom, Andreii celebrated his new freedom in Christ!
UETS has continued its core educational mission while fulfilling its mandate to serve the people of Ukraine in the name of Jesus. Last year they had a record number of students, topping 500! Volodymyr, a pastor and student in the Applied Theology program, shares quite an amazing and healthy perspective that he learned at UETS. “These studies gave me a more holistic understanding of God, my own life, and who we are in the Lord. I have a better understanding of God’s plan now and for this world. When everything is going well, we may not fully appreciate the grace and support God provides. This difficult, tearful period teaches us about humanity and hope. A just peace will come, but we must serve every day. The Lord is changing us.”
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary. All gifts of any size are needed to help UETS continue seeing the Kingdom's impact through Ukrainians like Andreii. If you want to join this incredible ministry's growing network of supporters, please send funds to The Outreach Foundation, designated “UETS.” Send a gift via mail or click the link below to give online.
