Location:
Velykyi Shchymel, Chernihiv Region, Ukraine
Pastor/Leader:
Pavlo Kutsenko
History and Context:
Velykyi Shchymel Evangelical Baptist Church is located in the region of Chernihiv and is about an hour’s drive away from the city of Chernihiv. The region spent some time under Russian occupation during the first months of the war in 2022. Although the Russian army eventually withdrew, the majority of the population of the town, including church leaders, left to find safety elsewhere either within Ukraine or as refugees outside of its borders. The church has a heart to develop new ministries and to build up leaders within the church.
Primary Ministries:
Currently, the church conducts children’s, youth, family, and women’s ministries. Additionally, it organizes children’s and youth camps; supports widows; and provides assistance to the underprivileged, large families, those affected by the ongoing war, families who have lost loved ones in the war, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Current Needs:
- Facility upgrades for the church building including an uninterrupted power supply, an additional room, and a heated bathroom
- Purchase of food, heating, medication, and other essentials for those in need
- Purchase of resources for family and children’s ministry as well as camps