Outreach in Ukraine reaches once hardened residents.

Vitaly Morokhovets
SGA-Sponsored Missionary Pastor in Ukraine

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the commitment, love, and prayers! Thank you for your support and perseverance. All these years of our ministry can be called the best years of our lives as we serve the Lord where He wants us to be! 

Our church building is surrounded by other people’s properties. The neighbors are still trying to understand if they are lucky or unlucky to have a Baptist church in their neighborhood. Our Christian Medical Clinic helped to melt their hearts and show that we care. One of the neighbors named Igor rejected our invitation at first as he didn’t know what to expect. But when the other neighbors told him how pleased they were to see the doctors, he got the courage to step over the church threshold. At the end of the day, he came back to the church smiling and shouting, “You prayed for me! I will never forget it!” This was such a touching moment for all of us. Please keep praying that our church will shine like Christ and have a good impact on others.

“Our Christian Medical Clinic helped to melt their hearts and show that we care.”

Pastor risks health to help church member in crisis 

I spent some time in the hospital not long ago with blood pressure and heart issues. My mother is terminally ill, and it has been very stressful. The day after I got home, I received a call from the husband of one of our church members. Sergei is in his early 40s and a very good carpenter. But he has also been struggling with alcohol, and he called to ask me for help. He realized that if he does not stop drinking, he will die. His wife was very angry after he sold all they had of value to buy liquor. I felt that I needed to help him even though my church members were concerned about my health.

Even so, I stayed with him at the church while he went through withdrawal. My wife cooked for me, but he couldn’t eat. He was miserable with the worst hangover you could imagine. I even called for an ambulance twice because I thought he was about to die right there. But we washed his clothes, made him tea, bought him milk, and little by little he began eating. Members of the church joined to help, and a week later, his wife came and took Sergei home. The next Sunday, they were both in church and Sergei came forward to repent of his sins. I kneeled next to him rejoicing over God’s mercy. Sergei attends the church now, and I am preparing him for baptism!

My wife Nadia led the All Ukrainian Baptist Women’s Conference in Kiev not long ago. She taught a new Bible course on living with your emotions and dealing with personal responsibility. It was very well received, and we received a lot of positive feedback. 

Looking back at all the ministry, remembering the sweet faces of the saved people, spending time in prayer, and teaching the Bible fills my heart with warmth and gratitude. How can we ever thank you enough for all you have done? We are forever grateful, and the Lord is pleased!