Missionaries Find Open Hearts in Ukraine
Recently, Ukraine has seen the work of the Holy Spirit as missionaries find open hearts that seek the truth. United Methodists Fred and Stacy Vanderwerf wonder why God sent them to Ukraine to lead a Methodist campus ministry, Pilgrim. Could it be a spiritual revival in Ukraine?
Protestantism is a mystery to a city that traditionally houses Greek Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox faiths.
"We felt God moving us in the direction of Ukraine," Fred said. Lviv is known as a city of intellect and is home to many colleges and universities. It seemed a place ripe for campus ministry.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
In fact, the United Methodist campus ministry has grown from just three to over 30 regular attendees for Bible study in their tiny apartment. The place is now also host to meetings and fellowship activities.
It is clear that the youth hunger for the spiritual water of God.
Vladimir Shaporenko, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, said that the UMC is developing its larger Russia initiative and Ukraine is one of the countries targeted for spiritual growth.
"We have a number of organizations involved. We’re working actively on social issues, orphanages, schools, youth camps every summer. This is what attracts people initially. But it takes years to break the ice," he said.
"We have Bible study once a week, English club once a week, and then other small group meetings," says Olia Tishkovets, a student at the Ivan Franco National University and a leader for Pilgrim, as the campus ministry is known.
It seems that the most important thing for the youth, even in Christianity-dominated Ukraine is faith, not religion.
Tiskovets explains. "It has changed my life in a lot of ways. It made my faith come alive… Our group is not about religion. It’s about faith."
Through the Methodists' hard work and dedication, after the years, the ministry has grown and now the future leaders of this world have had an opportunity to learn about God and to develop their spirituality and faith.
