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.”

  Click here for a printer-friendly version.

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

War Relief Updates - July 3, 2025

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

1. Last week, BIEM received 15 specialty hospital carts from friends with connections to local hospitals. Each cart features several sliding trays, which can hold an assortment of medications, bandages, instruments, etc. BIEM’s war relief efforts include providing medical supplies for Ukrainian hospitals in the areas where our church planters serve. Such gifts certainly elevate the testimony of the churches and open doors for evangelism.

2. Anya Korbetska, a volunteer in Bilogorodka whose husband is serving in the front lines, assists in BIEM’s war relief efforts. She has access to many soldiers and families of soldiers. Anya has reported on how this aid helped three families whose fathers were killed in battle. These families are from the eastern occupied territories (Donetsk), and the state has not provided the funds normally expected after the loss of heads of households in battle. Therefore, these families are impoverished. As the mothers search for work to meet the needs of their children, Anna was able to help with food. She says these families are extremely grateful for the aid provided by BIEMs supporters.

3. In this week’s video, Eugene and Vitaly take us to an intersection near the warfront, where they and other volunteers manned a soup & Scripture evangelism point. This is their 10th time to conduct such 3-day outreaches with assistance from BIEM. We invite you to click the following link for an inside look at this evangelism project made possible by BIEM donors. Thank you for helping us to help them!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/roadside

4. Toward the end of last year, we announced a matching-funds opportunity for donations to our war relief efforts. In that arrangement, every dollar that BIEM received for our War Relief outreach through the end of 2025 was to be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. Praise God, that $100,000 mark was reached! As if that news weren’t exciting enough, the same source has now earmarked an additional $100,000 to be used in the exact same way. In other words, a new matching-funds offer that doubles each financial gift we receive toward War Relief (up to $100,000) is now starting. Of course, we thank God and our donors for every dollar received, but we especially praise God for this opportunity you have to double the impact of each dollar you give toward War Relief. May the Lord be glorified as believers demonstrate the love of God in action!

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: July 2025

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• In the month of June, BIEM shipped not one but two containers of war relief to Ukraine. A huge percentage of each shipment consists of donated clothing and medical supplies, but they contain other helpful items, too. Contents will be distributed by our churches in Obolon and Desna. Praise God!

• Hallelujah, we received 100% of the donations needed to fund this summer’s camps for children and teens. In fact, the first camps have started. We praise God and thank you missions-minded friends!

• Recently, another Christian ministry delivered to BIEM 4 pallets stacked high with boxes of adult disposable diapers. Because the pension for a retired Ukrainian is only about $30/month, a box of these is invaluable for those who need them. We praise the Lord for directing this aid our way!

• Our newest church planter, Sergei Anokin, was with us for a few weeks. He’s planting a church in Bucha, where Russian forces committed atrocities. Because he sheltered 170 residents in a church, the UN asked him to testify when they initiated war-crime procedures. Sergei’s presentation in churches was riveting. You can view one here:

  https://vimeo.com/user37287229/anokhin2

Prayer – Pray with us!

• “K___” embraced Christ after fleeing Afghanistan but was arrested and sent back. He said, “When we go back to Afghanistan, the temptations are great... Satan will throw all his power at us to deny our faith and walk away from God to find ease. I was tried as never before in my life, but Jesus held me through the pain, storms, hunger, sicknesses, and beatings. He was closer than any relationship we can ever have.” Please uphold such new believers in prayer.

• In the country of Georgia, constantly changing laws are creating challenges for ministry. Please pray for our Gospel workers to have vision, wisdom, and discernment as they go forward in faith.

• In Belarus, our missionary Nikolai Ryzhuk and another brother spent weeks visiting small, far-flung churches of just a few members. In addition to encouraging believers, they have led souls to Christ! Please pray for the encouragement of tiny churches and for more souls to come to the Lord.

• A couple years ago, we were able to purchase land in Western Ukraine for a Christian camp. With the help of BIEM friends, a camp building with a bomb shelter is also under construction there. Please pray they can complete this extremely difficult challenge before camps begin at the end of July.

• Click here for a printer-friendly version.

July Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

When we BIEM staff members visit churches or create newsletters discussing the desperate needs in Ukraine due to the war, so many of you reply generously. We regularly thank the Lord (and you!) for your war-relief contributions in the form of donated clothing & housewares, wheelchairs and walkers, funds for shipping, and your prayers.

However, as grateful as we are to see all of you demonstrating Christian love in action, our Ukrainian friends and coworkers are, of course, even more grateful. After all, they are the ones who are enduring the air raids, bombed apartment buildings, destroyed businesses, and loss of loved ones. So, whenever practical, we try to spotlight our Ukrainian personnel so they can express appreciation in their own words.

Thus, for our July 2025 video, we decided to highlight one of BIEM’s weekly video updates. In this video, our church planter Sergei Anokhin and Sam Slobodian are standing at the rear of a container loaded with aid bound for Ukraine on June 20. Because Sergei lives in Bucha, the city where Russian troops committed so many atrocities before being driven out, he certainly has firsthand knowledge of the heartbreaks and needs of the local population. You can view the video at this link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/moreaid

Also, although Sergei has already returned to Ukraine, you can view one of the presentations he did in U.S. church services. In it, he shares about Bucha and the beginnings of his own church-planting ministry there:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/sergeianokhin

Thank you again for caring and for sharing of your means for the Lord’s work.

Blessings to you!
Sam & Amy Slobodian

War Relief Updates - June 27, 2025

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

1. Yesterday a fellow Christian ministry delivered to BIEM 4 pallets stacked high with boxes of adult disposable diapers. Because the pension for a retired Ukrainian is only about $30/month, a gift of these is invaluable for those who need them. We praise the Lord for directing this aid our way!

2. BIEM’s newest church planter is Sergei Anokhin. He and his family live in Bucha, the city that was horrifically brutalized when Russian troops occupied it. Because many BIEM supporters have never had an opportunity to see one of our church presentations in person, we’re sharing this June 15, 2025, presentation by Sergei, with Sam Slobodian interpreting. Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/anokhin2

3. The church in Bilogorodka, Ukraine, was blessed and a bit surprised when a famous Ukrainian war hero attended their Sunday service. Vladislav Stotsky (call sign “Vogon”) was highly decorated after surviving being surrounded by the enemy for 67 days but still managing to escape with his men back to friendly lines. He was seriously wounded and is undergoing rehabilitation. He thanked the church and the “Cross” charity (with which BIEM partners in war-relief efforts) for the encouragement, food, and supplies he and his men have received during evangelistic trips to the warfront. His thanks were a special encouragement for the ladies of the church, who cook food for the military. One church member said,

For our sisters from the church, this [food preparation] is an important ministry. They spend all day preparing such food, but normally the only thanks they see are brief video clips from the front. Then this highly respected military hero of Ukraine showed up in person. This made an impression. Unbelieving grandmothers join our sisters in the church as they do this work. Because, for the military, many women are willing to assist. Our sisters from the church talk with them personally, and this is the best form of evangelization. Thank you [BIEM] for helping our church….

 4. Although Lutsk in western Ukraine is far from the ground combat happening in the East, like most of Ukraine, this city has come under Russian missile attacks. Our church plant there (whom we have been supplying with war-relief supplies) recently reached out to a location where an apartment building had been devastated by such a missile. The believers provided food, clothing, and water to victims who had lost everything. This ministry provided a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel. The church especially requests prayer for one family who received them warmly (grandmother Olena, daughter Svitlana, and grandson Nazar).

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - June 20, 2025

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

1. Hlib, the son of a church family in Lviv, is one of the soldiers we have helped with warm winter clothing. They are from Mariupol, which is under occupation and has suffered much destruction. Though he is not a believer, Hlib recently stated, “My parents pray for me, the church prays for me, I need to stop by to pray too.” It is evident that God is working in his heart. Therefore, we ask you to pray that God will protect and continue to work in his heart.

2. In this week’s war-relief-update video, Sam Slobodian interprets for Sergei Anokhin. Sergei is BIEM’s church planter in the city of Bucha, where occupying Russian troops committed horrible atrocities. Sergei took part in loading our next container of war relief for Ukraine and shares his thanks.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/moreaid

3. The container that BIEM shipped (June 20th) today contains 8 wheelchairs, which are in high demand. We are grateful that we have been able to put a good number of wheelchairs on every load to Ukraine. We often receive testimonies like the following:

When my wife and I went to Fastiv, we had a chance to talk with people at the River of Life Church, where a container had arrived. As it turned out, while we were there a family in need of a wheelchair arrived. This family received a used wheelchair that had come in the container. It was for the grandmother in that family; because of her age she can no longer walk, so she was granted this assistance. Also, a man and woman received a wheelchair, too, for their son, who went to this church as a child and graduated from Sunday school and knows about God. And when the pastor of the church was bringing medicine to the hospital, this boy was in the hospital with a serious injury. He saw the pastor, they talked, prayed, and he requested a wheelchair. He has a complicated injury, but the doctors did everything possible, and in the future everything should be fine. But the Lord is mighty, and He connected this man with the pastor. The young man goes to church while undergoing rehabilitation. Therefore, the church sincerely thanks American believers for the container and requests prayer for their ministry.

4. As our full slate of camps are underway in Ukraine, we are hearing that many campers come from homes where the fathers are active military and are fighting in the war. In some camps, as many as 50% of the children have fathers who are away in the war. Going to a Christian camp is a huge blessing for such children and youth. As one of our workers said, “The war and the devil are trying to steal the youth from our children. It is our goal to bring some joy into their lives and the peace of God into their hearts as we introduce them to Christ.”

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - June 13, 2025

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

1. Even though we just shipped a 40-foot container to Ukraine on May 24th, we have been blessed with so many donations of war relief items that we will be loading another 40-foot container of war relief aid tomorrow. This one is headed to Desna, Ukraine, and the church will distribute its contents primarily in the Chernihiv region to the north of it.

2. Lubyanka was under occupation at the beginning of the war. Many residents suffered both physically and materially. This is one of the churches that has been a recipient of our war relief efforts. Many fathers, husbands, and sons from Lubyanka are serving in the war. There is a military training facility not far from town, so on more than one occasion women from the church have prepared food for the soldiers. The soldiers are grateful, and some have come to church to express thanks. Their visits have provided another opportunity to share the Gospel.

3. In this week’s video, Vitaly Bilyak continues the description of his 23rd trip to the warfront to distribute war relief and the Gospel. During this part of the trip, he focused primarily on ministering to men in the military, including some members of his own church. Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/trip23b

4. Fresh statistics on the state of the Ukrainian economy underscore what we at BIEM already knew from our coworkers—that our war relief activities are more important now than ever. Food prices continue to be affected by last year’s drought in Ukraine, which led to a decrease in vegetable supply. In 2025 fruit prices have risen by 17.6 percent due to unseasonal April frosts. Of course, the continued battering from Russian missiles and drones further undercut supplies and raise prices. In April, the State Statistics Service announced that inflation in Ukraine had hit 15.9% year-over-year, up from 15.1% in February. Our contacts there inform us that 43% of Ukrainian depend on war relief to get by. More details are available in this article:

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/54327

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

BIEMs of Light: June 2025

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• We praise God and thank you friends that we have received 100% of the funds needed to host camps this summer. So, no need to send more funds, but please continue to send up more prayers for the Lord to bless and protect all the camps throughout summer.

• On May 30, a 40-ft. container of clothing, medical supplies, and other forms of aid for Ukraine departed from our BIEM warehouse. Today, the next empty container was dropped off. This week, this will likewise be filled with aid for another area in Ukraine. Praise God for all the needed, donated supplies!

• After a “dry spell” of no Muslims embracing Christ in our Central Asia ministries, on June 8 eight people from various ethnic backgrounds placed their faith in Jesus! Praise God!

• Starting this week, Christian camps are starting in the “-stan” countries of Central Asia. Of course, Christian camps are forbidden, so this is also a prayer request for God’s protection.

Prayer – Pray with us!

• In Central Asia, civil authorities still seek to persecute Christians. Recently, plainclothes police visited the neighbors of one of our church planters to dig up dirt against him. However, Muslim neighbors declared that pastor is a model citizen! Pray for protection.

• The Gospel puppet theater run by the church in Chervona Sloboda, Ukraine, often receives repeat invitations from school, churches, hospitals, and others. So, they are searching for fresh plays with recordings in Ukrainian. They request prayer for God to work in hearts.

• Displaced Afghanis who have trusted Christ in Central Asia are in difficult straits: they are not accepted where they are but returning to Afghanistan and as believers, it will mean persecution and possibly death. Please pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for them.

• Our newest Ukrainian church planter is Sergii Anokhin, who is planting a church in Bucha, Ukraine, which was brutally occupied by Russian forces. Russian atrocities committed in Bucha made international headlines. Sergii was interviewed by 15 international organizations and eventually testified before the UN in Belgium. Please pray that we would be able to raise the support needed for Brother Sergii. If you would like to support Sergii, please contact us.

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June Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

I’m sure all of you realize the value of reaching out to children with the Gospel. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and other events for children provide wonderful opportunities to capture kids’ attention and to direct their thoughts toward the Savior. By introducing children to God’s Word while they are young, we get to impress the Truths of Scripture onto their hearts and minds before they have a chance to become cynical, worldly, or captivated by habits of the flesh that war against the soul. 

But just imagine the worldview of kids growing up in Ukraine, which has been defending itself in a war that has been raging for over 3 years. Younger Ukrainian kids can’t recall a time when there was no war. They have grown up hearing air raid sirens and rushing to basements or bomb shelters before the explosions start. The mere sound of thunder strikes terror into kids who can’t tell the difference between the sound of bombs and the rumble from lighting. Such young ones are living through a terrible time, and they need solid Scriptural answers to questions about God, Jesus, Heaven, Hell, and the way of salvation.

Praise the Lord, you friends have provided 100% of the funds needed to host camps in the various countries where BIEM is active in Eastern Europe. Thank you! But we still need your prayers. Please pray for God to bless and empower leaders who will be teaching the Bible lessons, leading game times, preparing the meals, and simply chatting with the kids. May everything done in camp please the Lord and edify young hearts. Please pray, too, for God to prepare the kids who will be coming, so they will be open and receptive to the Word. Of course, concerning Ukraine, please pray for the safety of all camp kids and leaders, as no one knows when or where Russia’s airborne attacks may fall.

In our video for June, Sergei and Vika Skripnik talk more about the camp ministry. Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/2025camps

Blessings to you!
Sam & Amy Slobodian