BIEMs of Light: October 2025

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• If all goes as planned, on October 2 we expect to receive the Buyko family at our BIEM headquarters. They will spend a month with us—speaking and singing in churches, helping to process the donated clothing and other goods in our warehouse, then assisting with the paperwork.

• In September, 46 students attended our Seminary session in Ukraine. This good number is encouraging, considering numerous recent aerial attacks. Praise God, although the air-raid sirens blared in nearby Kyiv, our seminary classes in Bilogorodka were undisturbed.

• After almost a year in Armenia, our church planters there rejoice in God’s working: “We host an international Bible study. Some nights you hear Armenian, Russian, Iranian, Filipino, and English flying around all at once. Google Translate gets quite a workout! But it feels like a glimpse of heaven—people from every tribe and tongue worshiping together…. One Armenian woman shared, “I never used to talk with people from other nationalities. But now I’m learning how to love them.”

• BIEM’s calendars for 2026 are now printed and look great! Praise the Lord for friends with expertise in design and printing who make these possible. This month, friends on our mailing list should receive one in the mail. (If you’re not on our mailing list but want to be, please let us know!)

Prayer – Pray with us!

• October 18 is our next container-loading day. Please pray for donations of much-needed items such as lightly used clothes & shoes, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and household items, plus funds to ship them. Also, pray for volunteers as we load these items to bless Ukrainians in the name of Christ!

• Update on Vitaly Bilyak: We requested prayer for our missionary-church planter Vitaly, who was conscripted into the Ukrainian military. Legal efforts to reverse his conscription have not yet yielded results. Meanwhile, Vitaly has had wonderful opportunities to give spiritual counsel to evangelize and even to conduct services in a tent! Please uphold him in prayer.

• Please pray for BIEM’s new missionary, Dana Keller, who continues to raise support to minister among orphans in Ukraine. (Due to the war, there are a lot!) To contact her write to danakellerru@gmail.com.

• Please pray for Aygerim, a girl in Central Asia who trusted Christ at camp 8 years ago as a 12 year old. She has endured much persecution. Her mother asked her to come visit. When she did, her mom had an imam waiting to force her back into Islam. Details are unclear, but she has not slept for a week, was not eating, and is a wreck. She’s in the hospital now. Pray that she will recover in all ways.

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War Relief Updates - September 26, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Two days ago, on September 24, Russia launched an aerial strike on the territory of the Army training base in Goncharovsk. The attack included 2 Iskander ballistic missiles and attack drones. One Shahed drone soared right over the church and exploded into a nearby power station. Sadly, lives were lost. Other victims needed emergency medical aid. BIEM’s church planter there, Sasha Petrenko, requests prayer as both believers and unbelievers are shook up. This congregation is well known for repeatedly distributing war relief, but now its very building is seen as form of aid: locals swarm to the church building during attacks because they feel safer there. Sasha personally filmed 39 seconds of the attack, which includes an intercepted drone, for which he utters, “Praise God.” You can view that clip here:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/attack-drones

Drones videoed by Sasha Petrenko during Russia’s September 24 attack on Goncharovsk.

2. In September, our 46 students attended our Seminary session in Bilogorodka. This good number is encouraging, especially considering numerous recent aerial attacks. Praise God, although the air-raid sirens blared in nearby Kyiv, our seminary classes in Bilogorodka were undisturbed, and our people did not need to run to the bomb shelter. Also, we were able to fellowship with students from some of the war-torn areas that BIEM has helped with war relief. Soon, we will share more about our war-relief in those districts.

3. Sound plays a huge role in most church services. Sermons are typically spoken and often amplified with microphones and speakers. Uplifting special music depends on sound. Joyful congregational singing likewise is a form of sound. But what’s a church to do if its acoustics are horrible? That was the problem of a congregation in Odesa, Ukraine, that approached BIEM for help. The acoustics in their house of worship made listening to sermons and hearing their fine church orchestra difficult and even unpleasant to the ears. Could BIEM help? Yes! To show how, we present this video, “Sound Matters.” Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/acoustics

4. Many of you have been praying for our drafted church planter, Vitaly Bilyak. Thank you! Today we were able to talk to Vitaly by FaceTime. He reports that the food in his new location is much better. Plus, in this location the men can shower twice a day instead of twice a week, which is a cause for gladness even though it’s with cold water. Vitaly has earned such a high level of trust from the commander that they are assigning him to pick up wounded soldiers from various areas and drive them to hospitals. On Wednesday, I [Sam Slobodian] was able to meet one of the officials working on reversing Vitaly’s conscription. He was encouraging and thinks that eventually this will happen.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - September 19, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. In Ternopil, Ukraine, Sergiy Koop tells of a Christian man who had lived in the eastern town of Kostyantynivka. A Russian shahed drone struck his yard. The explosion caused him serious multiple shrapnel wounds, fractures of both legs, and a punctured lung. Caring people rushed him to a hospital in Dnipro, where doctors operated and managed to stabilize his condition. Yesterday, he was transported to Ternopil for further treatment and rehabilitation.  Although the man did not want to leave his home, the situation forced him to leave. He is currently under medical supervision, and his family and church are hopeful for a successful recovery. Using aid from BIEM, believers of the Koops’ Choose Life Baptist Church are assisting this victim and his wife. Sergiy adds, “We are very grateful for the help and ask you to pray for his recovery!”

2. Also from Ternopil: “A brother in our church serves as both an army officer and combat medic. He serves on the front lines. His tasks often involve great risk to his life, as he pulls wounded comrades out of the line of fire and renders First Aid. During one mission, a difficult situation arose. While pulling the wounded out of the landing zone, necessity forced him to remove his bulletproof vest to work the guys’ chests and save their lives. At the instant of evacuation, there was no time left. To save himself, he had to leave the bulletproof vest behind. It was impossible to go back for it.

“When our brother shared this need, we appealed to BIEM for help. Thanks to their quick response and sincere desire to support us, we were able to purchase a new bulletproof vest. This was a real blessing and tangible answer to prayer. We are extremely grateful to BIEM for the mission’s sacrifice, sensitivity, and willingness to help with such important and practical needs. Their assistance is not merely material support; it is a testimony of brotherly love in Christ that saves lives.”

3. In the Western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, BIEM worker Sergiy Koop rejoices for multiple reasons: because of his new congregation’s larger, more spacious location; because of souls coming to the Lord; and because children and teens are coming to services out of their personal desire to be there... The fact that over 40,000 refugees from Russia’s invasion were resettled there played a huge role in Sergiy’s heartfelt desire to start a new church in this district. With aid from BIEM, the church is not only functioning but reaching out to those refugees in various ways. To hear directly from Sergiy in his own words, you may click the following link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/more-fruit

4. Vitaly Bilyak has been transferred to a different military location, where there is a total of 115 such men who refuse to take the military oath, to bear arms, or to wear military uniforms. Most of these are pastors; some are deacons. Ordinary church members may perform military service when called up; however, Ukrainian congregations typically hold negative views of pastors doing so. This week, Vitaly led a service that 40 of these men attended. He’s still waiting to find out what’s going to happen to him (as are all the others). Please keep praying that his conscription would be reversed. In the meantime, he feels upbeat and says he is exactly where God wants him to be. He busies himself by sharing the gospel and giving out New Testament and gospel literature. They’ve had some rainy days, so until yesterday, all their clothes were wet. But yesterday the weather dried sufficiently for them to hang their clothing out to dry, so they’re doing much better in that regard. Tomorrow, Sergiy Koop plans to visit him, so we should receive more details after that visit. (Internet service is poor in Vitaly’s current location. Also, the military permits these men only limited access to their cell phones, which is a downside of the new situation.) ~ Newsflash! Vitaly just now let us know that he is being permitted a 2-day pass to go home. Praise God!

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - September 12, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Lutsk is the location of one of our church plants in Western Ukraine. This church has been extremely active in providing BIEM war relief to that area. Recently, food packages were purchased for 80 families who suffered from Russian attacks on the city. In addition to material assistance, the brothers and sisters of the church personally met with these people, talked with them, handed out packages, prayed together, and invited them to join the daily community meetings. This was a good opportunity to share the Gospel and demonstrate the practical side of Christian love and support.

Also, the youth of this church organized a fair in the city park, where they sold homemade delicacies to passersby. The proceeds went toward purchasing a vehicle for a soldier they know who is serving at the front. Such activity showed that even the youngest members of the church can make a significant contribution to the common cause. Even the youth of the church can participate in sharing the love of God with others.

2. Ilya, the son of one of the families in the Kodra church, has been injured and is going through rehabilitation. He sends the following thank-you letter:

I would like to sincerely thank the BIEM mission for your support. I have received help from you on several occasions, and each time it has been very appropriate. Thanks to the allocated funds, I was able to buy a helmet, and there was also great support in collecting money for a car. Special thanks for the help with underwear for our guys – it may seem like a small thing at first glance, but such things are very valuable on the front. For us, your support is not only material assistance. It gives us the feeling that we are not left alone, that we have brothers and sisters behind us who pray and care. This gives us strength and motivates us to hold on even stronger. We also sincerely thank you from the entire brigade for your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! May the Lord bless everyone involved in this endeavor.

3. When BIEM missionary Pasha Usach first visited the large tract of land for sale outside his city of Zdolbuniv, it was basically empty land. But Pasha envisioned a Christian campground. Today, that vision is coming true. Even though the facility isn’t yet completed, youth are coming for camping ministries here. Among those are young people from the battle-scarred region of Kherson, kids who had never prayed before. In this video, Pasha Usach tells how this camp touched hearts and transformed lives:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/hope

4. Vitaly Bilyak continues to faithfully share the Gospel with soldiers willing to listen. There are many of those since, under their circumstances, they cannot escape the reality of the uncertainty of life on earth. He sent us a short video of him meeting with other pastors in the same situation as he is in. No doubt, it helps him to know that he is not alone in such a difficult predicament. They pray together and encourage one another. Also, from the Bilyak family comes the tragic news that the youngest brother of Vitaly’s wife (Katya) was killed in battle while serving in a tank brigade. As some of you know, the parents were in the U.S. visiting Katya. We quickly changed their tickets to return to Ukraine early this week. Please pray for this family.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

September Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

Our BIEM summer camps are now over. The children received nourishing meals, played fun games, engaged in friendly competitions, sang Christian songs… But most importantly, they learned verses and truths from God’s Word, the Bible. Praise God, thousands attended these camps, and we are hearing many inspiring reports of children and teens accepting Christ!

Even though it’s now September, because the summer camps are such a valuable tool for evangelizing unbelievers and strengthening the faith of young believers, we want to feature camp again for our September video. We’re calling this one “Last Camp of 2025!” In it, some of our key workers from the camp hosted by the church in Bilogorodka share some of their personal impressions along with scenes from those blessed days. We hope you enjoy it!

Here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/user37287229/lastcamp

Blessings!
Sam & Amy Slobodian

War Relief Updates - September 5, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Sasha Petrenko is our Ukrainian missionary serving the military base of Goncharovsk, Ukraine. Therefore, his church is made up of mostly military people. The Ukrainian military often transfers soldiers stationed there to battlefield locations. The reality of eternity has made these men much more receptive to the Gospel than they were before the war. Sasha is requesting prayer for two high-ranking men (both named Sasha, which is a nickname for Alexander) who were saved in this ministry since they both have been assigned to the very front line in Sumy, where there are intense battles. Both are serving in tank units that have recently been badly damaged. Sasha Petrenko states, “At the same time, the brothers testify that the Lord has preserved them both. They ask that you pray and continue to support them in your prayers.”

2. Sofia Buyko and her daughters once again are in Denmark, where they are reaching out to the large concentration of Ukrainian refugee women located there. Sofia has relatives there, and they have been instrumental in organizing evangelistic meetings for these women. The meetings feature a Gospel presentation along with a distribution of relief supplies provided by BIEM.

3. As summer winds toward its end, BIEM’s last camps for kids and teens took place in Bilogorodka. Once again, young people played games, learned Christian songs, heard Bible lessons, enjoyed tasty meals, created crafts--and some came to Christ! As usual, war relief from BIEM played a role in making the camp possible. In this video, some of the key workers share about these camp experiences.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/lastcamp

4. Thank you for your prayers for Vitaly Bilyak. There is no news regarding the legal efforts to have his conscription reversed. Please continue to pray about this. In addition to the fact that his daughter’s family, which includes Vitaly’s two grandchildren, were allowed to visit him, Vitaly shared two other blessings. One is that he was allowed to leave the base and travel to a relatively nearby church for services last Sunday. Receiving permission was not easy. It took two days and visits to 4 different officials to obtain this clearance. Another blessing was that he received boxes of New Testaments from 3 different people after letting his church know that he needed some. Lately, he has been giving out 5-7 New Testaments per day to folks who are open to the Gospel and have been listening to him share Christ.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: September 2025

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Vitaly Bilyak was enroute to the USA to speak in churches and promote the work of BIEM when he was spontaneously conscripted into the Ukrainian army. Although we would prefer Vitaly be allowed to return to his home and church for ministry, including war relief, he has had countless opportunities to share Christ with others conscripted at the same time. May God work in those men’s hearts! To receive weekly email updates on news related to BIEM’s War Relief, subscribe here:       

  https://www.baptistinternational.org/urgent-war-updates-sign-up

• The most recent container of war relief shipped by BIEM has now arrived at its destination in Desna, Ukraine. We praise God for this smooth delivery, which will help and bless so many!

• BIEM’s director for Ukraine, Eugene Buyko, has received permission from Ukrainian authorities to temporarily exit the country with his family for the purpose of coming to BIEM and visiting churches on behalf of the ministry. We are thankful and praise the Lord for this development!

• Our last summer camps have now wrapped up. Many reports tell of youth who accepted Christ as Savior through the camp ministry. Praise God for working in hearts through these vital outreaches!

Prayer – Pray with us!

• While in Ukraine, Sam Slobodian met with a group of pastors who suggested two different locations as prime possibilities for new church start-ups. Exciting though church-planting is, please pray for wisdom and direction from the Lord as all of us consider these possibilities.

• Some time back, BIEM announced that a source has offered (for the second time!) to match funds for BIEM War Relief Fund up to $100,000 until December 31. Currently, we are at about $30,000 in donations, which have been matched up to $60,000. Would you join us in praying for the Lord to prompt others who are able to provide the other $70,000, which could also be matched?

• The Brotherhood of Independent Baptist Churches in Ukraine, along with BIEM, are pursuing legal efforts to get Vitaly Bilyak’s conscription reversed. His service in evangelism and war relief make him more valuable as a pastor than as a soldier. Pray that he will be exempted from military service.

• Although BIEM has shipped 2 weighty containers of war relief to Ukraine this year, the needs remain great. We would like to ship another one in October. Please pray for God’s people to donate much-needed items such as lightly used clothes & shoes, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, household items (blankets, towels, etc.) plus funds to transport these items overseas. Thanks for praying!

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War Relief Updates - August 29, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. As BIEM posts these updates, Sam & Amy Slobodian are on their way back from Ukraine, where they ministered in camps and surveyed our war-relief efforts. They report that God has blessed this year’s camps with many saved! Furthermore, they share that a special blessing was having children and youth of families whose fathers are serving Ukraine in battle. Although Russian bombing and drone attacks continued while the Slobodians were at camp, only once did an attack come so close that the campers and leaders needed to run to the church basement for shelter. A bonus blessing was that their border crossings into and out of Ukraine were quick and smooth—just 1.5 hours each time.

2. Join us in praising God that our most recent container shipment of war-relief donations has arrived safely in Desna, Ukraine. The Slobodians were on hand when the container was joyfully opened. Soon, we will post a video and pictures of this exciting event on BIEM’s website.

3. Like other BIEM missionaries, Sasha and Ira Petrenko not only host a camp in their own area but also visit other communities to conduct Christian camps for the youth. In this video, titled "Sowing Seeds in Sokolivka," they talk about their most recent camp, where 100% of the children and teens came from military families at a nearby military base. With each child having a father and/or mother actively serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, these young people are keenly aware of the dangers, both to their country and their families, from Russia’s war against them. So, the Petrenkos conceived of this special camp in nearby Sokolivka to plant Gospel seeds in the minds of these kids from military homes. To watch, here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/sokolivka

4. Many of you have been praying for Vitaly Bilyak, who was conscripted into the Ukrainian army while enroute to the USA to promote the work of BIEM. Here are 3 updates from the Slobodians:

a. We were able to Facetime Vitaly from Ternopil while visiting the Koops. He is doing well and in good spirits. The whole unit of “volunteers” who were conscripted with him have been sent off for training, after which they will be sent to the war. Vitaly requests prayer that the Word of God he was able to intensely share with them will work in their hearts and lead to the salvation of these soldiers, many of whom will undoubtedly lose their lives defending Ukraine.

b. The next day, Vitaly’s son-in-law Sergiy Koop, Karina, and the two grandchildren were allowed to visit Vitaly for one hour.

c. We have not heard back concerning the joint, formal appeal the Brotherhood of Independent Baptist Churches and BIEM submitted to have Vitaly’s conscription reversed. If there is no response after 10 days, lawyers advised that we begin legal proceedings in a Ukrainian court. Please continue to pray that Vitaly will be exempted from military duty so that he can return to his family and ministry.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 22, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Our missionary-pastor Vitaly Bilyak—who remains in great spirits despite being conscripted into the Ukrainian army—continues to have numerous opportunities to share the Gospel with soldiers. He meets with them singly and in groups concerning spiritual questions many have. This has led to regular evening services in his tent. He states that he is not there by an accident, but that God has a divine purpose for putting him where he is. He also requests prayer for these soldiers he is reaching out to. But he also asks for prayer that his conscription be reversed. The Brotherhood of Independent Baptist churches of Ukraine has submitted to the Ukrainian government an official request for his release from military service. A formal letter from BIEM accompanies their request. An English copy of what we wrote in Ukrainian is at the bottom of these updates.

2. For the second time, our new church planter—Sergei Anokhin of Bucha, Ukraine—has been invited to a presidential breakfast in Kyiv. An invitation to such an event with President Zelinsky is considered a special honor, and the event will provide opportunities for Sergei to establish contacts with notable community leaders. We hope these contacts will eventually open doors for evangelism and more avenues for delivering war relief. The breakfast will take place this Monday, August 25th.

3. During the Covid days, God prompted Pastor Pavlo to start preaching to a handful of people in the forest southwest of Kyiv. There, they constructed a light, temporary shelter for services. As word of the fledgling congregation spread, the group grew to standing-room only. BIEM began helping with summer camp funds and aid. They, in turn, gladly help in distributing war relief from BIEM among needy ones in their area. The new church attendance is now up to 40. Praise God for this wonderful growth! BIEM has provided financial assistance to build a bigger structure to accommodate the number attending. In this video, BIEM's Eugene Buyko introduces Pastor Pavlo and lets him share about “Forest Baptist Church.”

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/wildwood

4. In light of current events on the world stage, many of you friends have been asking Amy Slobodian and me our opinions of the various rounds of high-level talks taking place. Since we are currently in Ukraine participating in camps and surveying our war-relief outreaches, we in turn asked the Ukrainians for their opinions on the summits between President Trump and Putin and possibly Putin and Zelinsky. After listening to many replies, I composed this general summary:

“So far, we have not found anyone [in Ukraine] who is optimistic about these meetings. All Ukrainians we speak with think that nothing will come of these meetings and that this is just a stall tactic by Putin to delay more severe sanctions. In the meantime, Russian attacks are increasing. In fact, Wednesday night we were awakened by the sound of Ukrainian air defenses shooting at a drone that had flown into our area. According to media reports, in one of the largest overnight strikes since the war began, Russia unleashed some 614 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles across Ukraine, killing one, injuring dozens and destroying an American-owned electronics company less than an hour from two NATO borders. Then again this morning at camp, we and all the campers had to take shelter in the church basement when an alarm announced that another shahed drone had appeared over the church’s area. Praise God, we heard no nearby explosions.”

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 15, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the well-known Temple of Salvation Baptist Church has long partnered with BIEM in evangelism, in operating the Seminary, in distributing war relief, etc. As Russia stepped up its missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, one night a missile exploded into an apartment building where 2 Christian sisters from the church lived. Their apartment was demolished. Miraculously, the sisters survived! However, their apartment was no longer habitable. Men from the church helped to salvage whatever personal property was useable. Their congregation took up a collection to help these sisters live elsewhere, at least for the short term. The church praises God for their survival but also requests prayers for these women, who face many decisions since the destruction of their home.

2. Please pray concerning the Ukrainian city called Dobropillia. It is located north of the larger city of Pokrovsk. For months, Russian troops have been striving to advance and capture these key positions. As of this week, some elements of the Russian forces are reportedly within 6 miles of Dobropillia. Of special concern to us, not only do some of our Seminary students live in that area, but the church there has been active assisting BIEM in distributing war relief and evangelizing. Please pray for the Lord’s protection on these believers and their city.

3. For years, BIEM church planters Sasha & Ira Petrenko have been ministering, first in Goncharovsk and later also in the village of Smolyn. At first, citizens in both locations resisted the Gospel. In time, however, working through BIEM’s war relief and other means, the Lord has opened doors for ministry, even to the point of holding Christian day camps for local kids on the properties of the public schools! In this video, the Petrenkos share about these two camp outreaches. We invite you to watch the brief video “Where Faith and Fun Collide: Two Summer Camps Changing Lives” via the link below:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/funandfaith

4. This weekend, Sam & Amy Slobodian are leaving for Ukraine. Although their focus will be on children’s camps, they will also check in on several of our ongoing war-relief efforts. They will be making stops in both Western Ukraine as well as the regions of Bucha, Chernihiv, and Kyiv. Please pray that God would bless the camps with spiritual fruit and with safety for all the campers and workers. Also, pray that Sam & Amy can be an encouragement to our war-weary brothers and sisters diligently serving the Lord.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 8, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Our church planter Sergiy Koop requests prayer for the following situation. Their church’s first baptized convert is a woman named Olga. Her husband Yuri was severely injured during a rocket attack in Donbas. The hospital in Donbas is severely overcrowded, making it likely Yuri will not get the care he needs. However, a military medic named Artyom (you may have seen him in our videos) is on his way to transport Yuri to a hospital in his home city of Ternopil. That hospital is also full; however, since BIEM has given it much-needed medicine and medical supplies, Sergiy is calling the director to request his personal intervention in making room for Yuri. Having Yuri nearby would give his wife and the church opportunities to minister to him. Also, please pray that God will use this situation to open Yuri’s heart to the Gospel, which he has thus far resisted.

2. On August 1, BIEM’s weekly video update was “Sisters in Service.” In it, volunteer aid worker Natalia mentioned battles being fought in the nearby town of Kostiantynivka. As Russian troops attempt to close in on that town, the area has also become the subject of secular newscasts. Also, the following video was not prepared by BIEM nor our believers in Ukraine, we are sharing for those who would like to see more closeup details about the fighting happening around a town next door to where BIEM personnel have been providing war relief:

https://share.google/a9fadxY9AEcRyhZbD

3. BIEM missionary Vitaly Bilyak had official permission to exit Ukraine for a temporary trip to the U.S. However, at the border military recruitment officials had other ideas. Not only was Vitaly not permitted to leave Ukraine, but he was sent to a military recruitment center, given a physical exam, and was informed that he is now in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. His son-in-law, church planter Sergiy Koop, managed to visit Vitaly with some personal supplies. Vitaly is in very good spirits and asks us to pray for 3 things:

a. That God would use him to share the Gospel among the soldiers, which he is doing.

b. That God would encourage, strengthen, and comfort his wife Katya.

c. That the legal efforts the Baptist Brotherhood have launched through lawyers would relieve him of military service, although he says this would indeed be a miracle.

Vitaly and Sergiy created a video message for family, friends, and supporters. Here’s that link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/inthearmy

4. The Story Behind the Story: When Vitaly Bilyak’s son-in-law Sergiy Koop resolved to go personally and deliver helpful items to him at the military training center, friends warned Sergiy not to try. They emphasized the very real danger that he, too, could be conscripted on the spot. Here, Sergiy shares additional details on what that experience was like and how God led him, both to the training camp and home again. We praise God for this outcome!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/thestory

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

August Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

It doesn't matter whether kids live in a big city or a small town or village. Each one is a precious soul, and they are all of great value in the Lord's eyes. For this reason, the BIEM missionaries and volunteers who conducted are happy to organize day-camp opportunities in small, out-of-the way communities where there is often no church at all. Our video for the month of August needs no interpretation. Believers who ministered to children in the village of Glybochok, Ukraine, simply filmed various "slices" from the life of their camp. Some scenes are humorous; others are serious. But in watching you will gain a general idea of why the kids enjoyed this camp so much!

Here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/user37287229/glybochok

Blessings to you!
Sam & Amy Slobodian

Update: Urgent Prayer Request - August 7, 2025

Vitaly Bilyak was able to call me, and we talked for a while. He is in a training center, which is basically a tent camp in a forest. Apparently he can call us, but we cannot call him. However, I can SMS him. He is in very good spirits and asked us to pray for 3 things:

1. That God would use him to share the Gospel among the soldiers, which he is doing.
2. That God would encourage, strengthen, and comfort his wife Katya.
3. That the legal efforts the Baptist Brotherhood have launched through lawyers would relieve him of military service, although he says this would indeed be a miracle.

Thank you for praying for Sergiy Koop’s safety as he traveled through areas infested with conscription units to visit Vitaly. Praise God, Sergiy has returned home safely. In this week’s update—which goes out every Friday—we will highlight a video of Sergiy’s visit with Vitaly, as well as him sharing how God protected him on this trip. If you are not on our email list to receive these weekly updates, you can subscribe here:

https://www.baptistinternational.org/urgent-war-updates-sign-up 

Sam Slobodian

BIEM

Update: Urgent Prayer Request - August 6, 2025

Thank you for praying for Vitaly Bilyak. Not good news. As you know, he was detained at the border as he was attempting to leave Ukraine to catch flights to the United States from Poland. There were army conscription officials at the border, so he was conscripted into the army and assigned to an artillery division even though he is 50 years old. So, it looks like he will have to do some military service. These army conscription officials have very broad authority and are highly motivated to conscript as many as they can. What this means, we do not yet know. It is possible that Vitaly will be assigned to non-combat duties of some sort, because he has consistently stated that he will not bear arms as a pastor.

He was transferred to a training unit about 200 miles from Ternopil. There, we had one of our other missionaries, Sergei Koop, meet with him and bring him some items from home that he requested. Sergiy made a video of Vitaly addressing the church, which he will share with the Ternopil congregation. They prayed together and then Sergei headed to the border to retrieve Vitaly’s car which he will bring back to Ternopil. Please pray for Sergiy now, since if he is apprehended by the army conscription units roving the country, he would most likely end up with Vitaly. Sergiy has a wife and two very small children, so please pray today that he will be able to return to them safely.

The church in Ternopil has excellent leadership in place with seasoned deacons. The assistant pastor Andrei, who heads up the Drug and Alcohol Center, will lead the church in Vitaly’s absence. Our brethren are trying to get Vitaly into a chaplaincy position. If that is not possible, he will likely be assigned non-combat duties, but this is not guaranteed so please pray about this. Our brethren are also seeking legal advice to see if there are any legal procedures that can be used.

Vitaly is in good spirits and is trusting that the Lord is with him and will use him where he is. He has already had several opportunities to share the Gospel with those around him. Please continue to pray for Vitaly, his wife Katya, and their church in Ternopil. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Sam Slobodian

BIEM

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for BIEM missionary Vitaly Bilyak. Vitaly is one of our nationals whom we periodically invite to the U.S. to speak in churches, assist with container details, etc. Today he had official government permission once again to exit Ukraine for a limited time. However, at the border crossing, not only did the guards not permit him to leave the country, but they instead sent him to a military recruiting office. There, he was told he would be given a physical exam. After that, communication with him ceased. His wife Katya is also unable to communicate with him. From our perspective, Vitaly is much more valuable to Ukraine as he conducts his war relief activities than as a soldier. Please pray that he would be allowed to remain a civilian and free to travel.

As soon as further information is available, we will share it. Thanks for praying!

War Relief Updates - August 1, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. The container of aid that we shipped on June 20 for Desna, Ukraine, is still enroute. Some of the contents aboard this one are clothes (adults, children, toddlers), wheelchairs, aluminum walkers, canes, crutches, a variety of medical supplies, 200+ chairs for church use, tables for churches, winter coats, disposable diapers, and shoes, among other items. Please pray for its safe arrival and for wisdom for that church when the believers distribute the contents and evangelize.

2. Sasha Petrenko, our missionary in Goncharovsk and Smolyn, asks for prayer. Their town has come under attack. So far, they have received hits from 4 rockets and 10 Shahed drones. The scores of emergency vehicles arriving indicate there will be casualties. Please pray for Sasha as he renders material aid from our War Relief fund and spiritual counseling from God’s Word.

3. Ladies of the churches of Ukraine (typically referred to as “sisters”) play a variety of vital roles during Russia’s aggression against their nation. Some partner with BIEM through their local churches to serve God and countrymen in various evangelistic outreaches. Here, Natalia, Sofia, and Marina share how they personally are aiding BIEM in evangelism:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/sistersinservice

4. Just before leaving for the United States to help with loading our most recent container, one of our Ukrainians blew out a car tire. This is a big problem in Ukraine, since finding a correct-size tire that would be compatible with the others for this particular vehicle would be a difficult task. Quite often, all four would need to be replaced. However, as our brother was sorting a large variety of items donated to BIEM, he discovered one (and only one!) tire. Soon he was laughing and shouting with joy. It turned out this tire was not only the exact size that his car needed, but amazingly it was the exact same brand! Praise God!

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: August 2025

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• The container of aid we shipped on May 30 for the church in Obolon (north side of Kyiv) has safely arrived. Thanks for praying as the church works through all the necessary paperwork.

• In Central Asia, more Muslims have become former Muslims after accepting Christ! In recent days a Tajik man and an Afghani couple have placed their faith in Jesus. Praise God!

• Recently a lawyer informed BIEM that a couple who had been longtime supporters of BIEM had gone into eternity and willed their house to BIEM as a final donation. The house hasn’t sold yet, but we thank God for such friends of BIEM who aid our various ministries even in their Homegoing!

• At a campground in Western Ukraine, the church in Lviv held special meetings for about 200 women made widows during the war. We thank God for the opportunity to bless and encourage hurting ones while sharing Jesus Christ. It’s a sad reality that Ukraine is becoming a nation of widows.

Prayer – Pray with us!

• In Desna, Ukraine, the church building recently suffered damage when a Russian drone targeted a nearby electrical substation. The blast blew out windows and did other minor damage. Even before this attack, with BIEM’s help the church was already putting on a new roof. Now they have extra work to do at a time when so many construction workers are away, serving in the military. Please uphold this congregation in prayer.

• This month, Sam & Amy Slobodian will be in Ukraine to work in children’s camps, among other ministries. In light of the greatly increased number of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent days, please pray for safety for them and for all the kids and leaders of these summer camps. Of course, please continue praying for life-changing decisions among the children in all our camps!

• The container of aid that we shipped on June 20 for Desna, Ukraine, is still enroute. Pray for its safe arrival and for wisdom for that church when the believers distribute the contents and evangelize.

• BIEM missionaries and volunteer church members continue to organize roadside evangelism and other Gospel outreaches. Please pray for their safety and for the salvation of souls. To see brief videos of various evangelistic activities, please go to BaptistInternational.org and scroll down theHome page to click “View Video Updates.”

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War Relief Updates - July 25, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. This week, BIEM director for Ukraine Eugene Buyko and his wife Sofia will be leading a group of believers traveling east, toward the front lines, to evangelize among soldiers. As they did for past trips, the ladies of their Bilogorodka church have personally prepared various foods and frozen them so these can be taken to soldiers at the front. This time, the church in Lutsk has joined in. They baked cookies and wrote various words of encouragement for the military on the packages. The Lutsk church also purchased many socks and laundry detergent—the items most requested by the military. Please pray for this outreach and for everyone who will be helping. May God use these material gifts to open doors for sharing the Gospel.

2. In Lviv, Ukraine, BIEM church planter Yura Levtseniuks says, “I sincerely thank God for your support in helping our military. It is very valuable. You have prayed for a [wounded] soldier named Yevgeny, who was brought here from the front. We met him in a hospital in Lviv. God has done a miracle in His own way. Now Yevgeny can walk and even talk. But, unfortunately, he speaks very poorly... He’s missing parts of his upper and lower jaw and teeth. His nose is completely gone. I drove him to the train station so he could spend a month at home [in Kharkiv], and he is coming back here to Lviv for treatment. He’s still in serious condition, but he listens attentively to the Gospel. Pray that God will draw him to Himself and that he will want to repent. I believe God brought him into our lives, along with his whole family. My children drew pictures for him, and he says he looked at them the whole way.”

3. In Desna, Ukraine, the church building recently suffered damage when a Russian drone targeted a nearby electrical substation. The blast blew out windows and did other minor damage. Even before this attack, with BIEM’s help the church was already putting on a new roof. Now they have extra work to do. Against this backdrop, Eugene Buyko recognizes the work of another partner who helps to distribute tourniquets and other vital aid from BIEM to those who need it.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/steps

4. On May 30th, BIEM sent a 40-foot container of aid to the church in Obolon, the northwestern district of Kyiv, Ukraine. Praise God, that container has safely arrived in Obolon, and the church will soon begin distributing the contents. However, a mountain of paperwork remains to be done to fulfill the demands of Customs and other government organizations. Please pray for those believers tasked with preparing and submitting all of the required documents.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - July 18, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Pastor Sasha Petrenko of the church in Goncharovsk/Smolyn requests prayer for a church member in the military. This man’s name is Alexander. He was recently transferred away but also given a promotion. When he was at the Goncharovsk training center, he served a lot in the church and assisted with distributing war relief to needy ones. Because Alexander has much combat experience, he expects an assignment with a new brigade destined for the warfront. He is so well known that even a Russian website mentions his name, his rank, and other personal details. The invaders have him on a special wanted list. Pastor Sasha says, “We need to pray for him, because now he is in another city, and his family is here. We pray that God will keep him safe and will give him opportunities to testify about Him.”

2. Back in April 2024, BIEM posted a video we called “1+1=70.” In it, Ukrainian missionary Pavel Usach shared how God prompted two senior sisters in Posad-Pokrovske to open their home for church services. These two began with just themselves, but God multiplied the number of people coming for worship to 70! This past February, we requested prayer for Anna, one of the two sisters, whose health was declining. Here’s a fresh update:

This church is now in a building program that BIEM is glad to help them with. The shell of a new church building replacing their temporary structure is now up. We praise God that our war-relief efforts have resulted in such blessings. Anna, the elderly sister for whom we prayed last February, is doing better but declares she does not have much time left on this earth. She requests prayer that she will live long enough to see the completion of this church building.

3. In this week’s video you will “meet” some unsung heroes—ladies who use groceries provided by BIEM to prepare homecooked foods for Ukrainian soldiers. Not only do these ladies’ efforts feed hungry defenders, but they pave the way for the Gospel, too!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/hands

4. Recently BIEM personnel reached out to a large group of 200 women in Ukraine who have lost their husbands in the war. Brother Yura and the church in Lviv gathered these widows at their church facilities, where they housed and fed them for two days. Then they drove them to a campground about 50 miles away, where they were ministered to with God-glorifying music and the Word of God. Sadly, Ukraine is becoming a nation of widows. Please continue to pray for the war to end.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - July 11, 2025

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. In the Sumy vicinity of eastern Ukraine, the 158th Brigade had access to food. However, the soldiers serving there have experienced various sicknesses in their ranks, with no way to return home and rest. So, when believers inquired about their needs, those military men expressed one main request: over-the-counter medications, primarily for colds, flus, headaches, and for digestion. With aid from BIEM, believers were able to purchase a quantity of these basic medications and filled 4 large boxes with them. These were then forwarded to the 158th Brigade. A reply came back with sincere thanks to both the church and to the American believers.

2. In the western Ukrainian city of Zdolbuniv, the church sent warm greetings to you, their American brothers and sisters. With their greeting they included this message: “This summer, Pasha Usach and his team are planning a tent camp in Derman Druha, where brother Pasha ministers. The camp is planned for many children who have just arrived from occupied territories, such as Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. These children are traumatized by the war. Supposedly, they left the war behind in the territories where the fighting is going on, but the constant bombs falling all over Ukraine simply wreak havoc on these children. Also, most of these children are non-believers. Summer camp is an opportunity for them to get away from military affairs and live with Christians, where they will hear about Christ. We kindly request your prayers, because this will be a difficult camp, with difficult children who have no less difficult parents. We ask for your prayerful support for these people and us.”

3. Last week’s video highlighted the ministry of roadside stations where believers offered free meals, conversation, and prayer to soldiers. As a follow-up, this week’s video emphasizes the vital role of Christian literature in these outreaches. New Testaments, Christian tracts, or a Gospel of Luke become spiritual food for the road. They are Biblical truth that members of the military can take and read later. In this brief video, Eugene and Natalia discuss the importance of handing members of the military literature that points their thoughts toward Christ:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/foodtogo

4. BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko and the church he leads in Goncharivske/Smolyn have channeled much humanitarian aid from BIEM to bless both soldiers and civilians. He says, “Last week, the commander of the 110th Brigade was killed. Previously he had been assigned to serve in this area. I knew him. It turns out he had three children. His deputy and chief of staff were also killed. He was a special person with his own story. Therefore, we need to pray for his family, for these three children, and for other families of wounded military men. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a regular soldier, a commander, a general, or just a civilian—you’re constantly under threat. Wherever you are, pray for the military, for their safety, and for us.

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM