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