KHARKIV REGION · A TIME OF WAR

2022 — present

Kharkiv is Ukraine. Ukraine for Christ.

Amid destruction we open churches, and serve the people of Kharkiv region — into the fifth year of war.

Our vision

150

new churches in Kharkiv region

by the end of 2029

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. — John 1:5

Scroll for more Church in Podvirky · Opened 2025

01 Beginning

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Burial of a brother lost in the war

2022

How it began.

In 2022, Illia Petrovych Herasym, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, was elected bishop of the Kharkiv region UCCEF. Three weeks later, the full-scale war began.

In an instant, every plan, strategy, and vision became irrelevant. One purpose remained — to stand firm and to save lives.

An apartment block in Kharkiv after Russian shelling

Cities, villages, churches — turned to rubble. Kharkiv region became the front line.

The first year of war was a time of deep grief. We buried brothers and sisters killed by Russian tanks and bombs in their own homes. The only comfort is the hope of meeting them in heaven.

02 Service

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Bread in hungry hands. Water for the thirsty. Hope for the despairing.

From the first days of the invasion, evacuation was the priority. A rapid-response team carried more than 30,000 people to safety. Humanitarian aid reached 200 settlements across the region.

Volunteers distributing aid

30,000+

evacuated

by rapid-response teams

200

settlements

received aid

4M+

food packages

distributed during the war

83

children's camps

in 2025 alone

Distributed during the war

90 tons of clothing160 tons of baked goods2,000 wood stoves2,500 m³ of firewood560,000 litres of water150 generators

Children

Children are a particular blessing. Early in the war there were almost none — most families had left. In 2025 we ran 83 day camps and children's events; the children are returning to Kharkiv region.

Elders

A large part of our church communities is older people. Many of them came to God during the war. In church they find fellowship, support, and care.

03 Growth

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Not waiting for the war to end. Not waiting for reconstruction. After the first liberation — new churches.

Where death once ruled, people now speak of Christ.

At the start of 2022 the region had 28 churches. Today there are 67. Through four years of war 33 new churches have opened; 27 prayer houses have been purchased or built. Some now stand in villages that never had a single church before.

Baptism of a new believer

67

churches

in Kharkiv region today

+33

new churches

through four years of war

27

prayer houses

purchased or built

529

baptisms

99 % new to the faith

04 Vision

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150 churches by the end of 2029.

The war continues. Russian shelling does not stop, our cities and villages are still being destroyed, and civilians are still being killed. But we look ahead in faith.

Our vision

150

new churches we plan to open

across Kharkiv region by 2029

The cost of opening one new church

$4,000 — $7,000

rental of a meeting space
equipment (sound, instruments, projector)
transport
support for the mission team
launching services

We believe that every village and every city of Kharkiv region must hear the news of salvation. We believe God's word is stronger than destruction, and that love is able to heal the deepest wounds.

05 Join us

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How you can help.

Prayer, partnership, a gift — one road walked together. Every contribution is a new community where there is none today, and service where it is most needed.

I

Pray

Join us in prayer for Kharkiv region, for the churches, and for the families who have lived through war and are looking for God.

Send a prayer request

II

Walk with us

We are open to shared service with churches, missions, and friends from abroad.

Write to us

III

Give

Your gift is a new church where there is none today. One new community — from $4,000 to $7,000.

Learn how to help