Europe: Ukraine
Ministry in Ukraine at a Glance
As a post-Soviet state, Ukraine struggles with corruption, poverty, and the breakdown of society in every aspect. At the request of local Reformed churches, Christian Reformed World Missions is in Ukraine to faithfully witness to the transformational power of the Gospel through church planting and leadership development in order to bring healing and transformation to lives and communities throughout Ukraine and beyond her borders in the post-Soviet countries of Eastern Europe.
Facets of Ministry in Ukraine
CRWM currently works in three main areas in Ukraine.
1. Developing Healthy, Reformed Churches - CRWM is involved in developing healthy churches with a well-formed Christian and Reformed world and life view which will in turn encourage the development of other healthy churches that engage in transformational ministry.
2. Leadership Development - CRWM trains local church and lay-leaders in healthy leadership styles, enabling churches to activate their members and impact their communities.
3. Connecting and Supporting Churches - There are a number of small, Reformed congregations scattered across Ukraine and the former Soviet Union. Most of these congregations have little contact with each other. CRWM is working to connect these congregations so that they may encourage and support each other in the important work of bringing the transformational power of the Gospel to their communities.
Prayer & Support
The most important gift you can give missionaries is a daily prayer for their lives and work. At any given time Christian Reformed World Missions supports over 200 long-term and short-term missionaries located in over 20 countries around the world. Through partnerships, our work extends to over 30 countries. These people have been called, commissioned, and sent by Christian Reformed churches to represent our devotion to Jesus Christ, and to urge others to accept His offer of salvation.
Currently Serving in Ukraine
George and Sarah de Vuyst, Church Planting, Leadership Development
Visit their website: www.devuysts.com
George and Sarah de Vuyst have been career missionaries in Ukraine since 1998. George is involved in training church leaders and planting a Reformed congregation in the city of Mukachevo. Sarah was influential in starting a private, English-language school which provides quality English-language instruction and unrivaled employment opportunities for English teachers. They have three young children: Abigail, Matthew and Elizabeth.
Partners in Ukraine
The Reformed Church of Carpathian Ukraine is comprised of ethnic Hungarians living in western Ukraine. They extended the initial invitation for CRWM to work in Ukraine by helping mentor and train their missionaries to Ukrainians.
The Christian Reformed Church in Mukachevo was started in 2004 and strives to bring transformation to the community of Mukachevo and beyond by preaching the Gospel from a Reformed perspective, training children and adults, activating church members, developing leaders, and engaging in outreach ministries. www.crcm.mk.uz.ua