War Relief Updates - April 24, 2025

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

1. Earlier this year, BIEM passed the 2-million-dollar mark for War Relief donations. Both we and our churches in Ukraine all express heartfelt thanks for your generosity! In their notes and emails to us, our BIEM missionaries and national pastors regularly express how it would be impossible to carry on the same level of evangelistic outreach and aid if not for the help from American believers through BIEM. Unfortunately, the needs continue as the war drags on. Russia continues to destroy and damage homes. People continue to perish. Refugees continue to struggle to relocate and survive. Like everyone else, church members are weary of this useless war, but they continue to demonstrate the love of God in action as they reach out with aid.

2. The last container we shipped to Ukraine went to one of our early Ukrainian church plants in Fastiv, Ukraine, which is a big railroad center. This container held a lot of medical supplies. One of the church’s neighbors is a large hospital, which has been converted into a military hospital. As it turns out, many of the medical supplies on the container consisted of bandages and other items constantly needed by this hospital. The unexpected arrival of these supplies turned out to be a great blessing for both the hospital and the patients. Many of the hospital staff dropped by the church to express their gratitude. Some have attended church services. Praise God!

3. Like everyone else in Ukraine, Christians are weary of the war and all the misery it brings. Yet, amid war, believers still strive to fulfill the first and second greatest commandments: To love God and others. In the following video, Vitaly Bilyak shares moments from his 22nd trip to the war zone, where “the church continues to serve and to help.” Here's the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/trip22

4. Last night, Russia launched its most vicious missile and drone attack in months on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. One of the missiles struck very close to the home of BIEM's director for Ukraine, Eugene Buyko, killing at least 8 people and injuring over 70 others. Their neighbors' windows were blown out, and the school where the Buykos' youngest daughter attends was also hit. People are still missing and are possibly buried under rubble, so the death toll could still climb. Unhurt themselves, the Buykos went out to minister to victims. This horrific event reminds us that our prayers for the protection of BIEM’s missionaries are vital. Please continue to pray for an end to the aggression toward the Ukrainian people and specifically for God’s hand of protection on His people there.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

April Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

There are times when BIEM and our coworkers overseas plan specific evangelistic projects, and we pray for God’s guidance and blessing in those outreaches. But other times, the Lord goes ahead of us and prepares opportunities even before we realize how He is directing. Such was the case in Zdolbuniv, Ukraine.

Several years ago, BIEM missionary Pasha Usach in Zdolbuniv stumbled across a large parcel of land that was for sale in the nearby town of Derman. When he investigated, he discovered the property was in excellent shape, except for a couple of run-down buildings that could easily be torn down. This spacious piece of ground was available for only $3,400! Pavel wasted no time in contacting the BIEM home office. He suggested this would be a wonderful location for holding camps and other outreaches. We prayed about it. Then I shared this opportunity with some supporting pastors. One of those churches provided the necessary funds, and the property in Derman was purchased. Men from the church in Zdolbuniv enthusiastically began improving the grounds to transform a bare property with a couple of ramshackle buildings into a functional campground. Friends of BIEM provided additional funding for numerous improvements.

Even before completion as a campground, this property has hosted many children’s and youth camps. Also, multiple outreaches to refugees and war widows have been held there. Best of all, when some parents in Derman came to observe camp life, they heard the Gospel! Some placed their faith in Christ and asked if it was possible to have Sunday services there year-round. That desire led to a new church being established right on the campground. The congregation will soon hold its first baptism.

The following video from Pasha Usach spans from the beginning of the project to the present. Currently, there is a need to complete the construction of the multi-purpose building you will see at the end of the video. Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/birthcamp

Blessings to you!
Sam & Amy Slobodian

P.S. A fleeting moment in the video gives the impression that three young volunteers may have been injured while standing on a roof that completely collapsed. We’re happy to report they simply brushed off the dust and continued working!

BIEMs of Light: April 2025

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• When the church plant in Ternopil, Ukraine, outgrew their rented storefront, church members were shocked to learn a place the size they needed would cost $1,300 monthly. (They pay $200/month now.) But God answered led Pastor Serhiy to a businessman who agreed to lease a spacious, facility only 5 minutes from their current location for $350 monthly! Praise God!

• BIEM’s new missionary has begun church visits for deputation. She shares, “It’s incredible to walk into a church and feel instantly embraced, cared for, and supported. It reminds me that God is building a big family — one that is united in the purpose of serving and glorifying Jesus Christ. I’m also deeply grateful for your financial support, which will allow me to bring the Good News to Ukraine and serve some of its most vulnerable people – orphans.”

• Concerning BIEM aid, pastor Anatoly Kosyanchuk in Shevchenkove, Ukraine, says, “We sincerely thank you for giving us walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and other things for the disabled.… We give them to those who need them. Some return theirs after recovery; others pass them to other people in need. This is how it works. We are all grateful for this help.”

• In answer to prayer, our missionary Sasha – who ministers in a Muslim land – was able to visit the U.S. and speak in churches in multiple states. He is now back on his field!

Prayer – Pray with us!

• Still an urgent prayer request: Although Ukraine now exempts clergy from military duty, permission for them to travel outside Ukraine have not resumed. BIEM has scheduled church planters to speak in U.S. churches in April, so please pray they will be granted exit permits.

• In Russia, a church started by one of our missionaries received a visit from government security services. They drew up an interrogation report, took photos, and looked for signs of “extremism.” The church requests prayer for their protection.

• Our director for Central Asia shares this: “Please pray for a girl named Shokhsanam. She is Uzbek. She was beaten by her brother again. Her brother is Muslim. She went to a camp in Samarkand for 2 days. Her nose is bleeding every other day almost. She has concussion. Her brother and his wife forbid her to attend the House of Prayer [church services].”

• Please pray for our Spring Seminary session starting later this month in Kyiv, Ukraine. Sam Slobodian will be going along with pastors from Minnesota and Indiana. Conducting these sessions during a war is quite challenging. Keep praying for this war to end.

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March Video Update

Dear Pastors and Friends,

Although the war in Eastern and Southeastern Ukraine continues to wipe out businesses, homes, and lives, for the March video we want to turn your attention elsewhere, to something more uplifting. Years ago, the mayor of a town in Ukraine visited the church where BIEM’s Anatoly Kosyanchuk preaches. At the conclusion of the service, that mayor approached Anatoly with an unexpected proposal: “If you start another Baptist church on the opposite side of town, I’ll give you the land to build on!” 

In the years following that surprise offer, God has taken the Second Baptist Church in Bilogorodka from a mere idea, to an empty plot of ground, to a construction project, to a thriving congregation. Now the Lord has blessed that growing group of believers with an ordination service—one assistant pastor and four deacons! Two of those deacons are neighbors who live within eyesight of the church. Both were unsaved when the church’s construction began. But through this ministry, God has drawn them and other residents of that neighborhood to Himself!

Our latest issue of our Challenger newsletter features an article about this same special ordination service. But for our March video, we decided to let Pastor Buyko and his new assistant pastor, Roman, tell more about God’s blessing that day. You can view that video here:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/morehands

Thank you for your prayers!

Blessings to you!

Sam & Amy Slobodian

BIEMs of Light: September 2022

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Our new missionaries in Ukraine, the Koops, operated a 3-day children’s camp in Druzhba, which they have targeted for a new church. The first day, 65 attended; the 2nd day up to 85, and the third day over 100 participated, including about 20 mothers who were asking, “Where is the church?” When those moms heard that church services will be starting soon, some replied they will come.

• Praise God, attacks from Russia on Ukraine’s Independence Day were not as bad as some feared. Although Russian rockets and missiles hit 58 cities and communities on that day, the next day there was only one. Since then, it seems things have died down.

• In Ukraine, the Slobodians report a wonderful baptism at the new church in Bilogorodka. Nine adults were baptized. Praise God for souls being accepting Christ in this time of war. Previously, the Russian army had come within a few miles of Bilogorodka, which is in the Bucha area.

• Praise God for a fruitful trip Vitaly Bilyak took to the military front in Donbas area with a trailer full of aid. He and those with him helped civilians, wounded ones in a hospital, plus soldier friends for whom he brought much-needed supplies and requested items. Vitaly plans two more such trips in September. Pray for safety. His videos from the front include sounds of artillery and explosions.

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Sources predict that the next week will be an especially dangerous time for the military cities of Desna and Goncharovsk, where BIEM missionaries have planted two churches. Both towns have already suffered attacks by missiles, rockets, and planes. More attacks are expected. Please pray for our missionaries, the churches, and the community, that lives would be spared.

• Pasha Usach conducted a special one-day event for mothers and wives who had lost sons and husbands in the war. Over 50 attended. The event was a huge blessing and provided a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel, so much so that Pavel is planning another such an event. Pray that God will use these outreaches to draw souls to Christ, the source of the greatest comfort.

• Plans are underway to bring the Buyko family to the United States, where they will visit churches for one month. Sophia and the three girls have already received visas; now we are working on getting the special permission needed for Eugene to temporarily exit Ukraine during wartime. Please pray that this permission will be granted, just as it was for Vitaly Yurchenko.

• Some of our contacts are witnessing of Christ to Muslims in Afghanistan. Please pray for God to open eyes and illumine hearts with the Gospel.

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BIEMs of Light: August 2022

Praises – Rejoice with us!

• Praise God, our personnel in Ukraine have received another 40-ft. container of humanitarian aid from us here in the United States! This is the 7th container our dedicated Ukrainians are distributing to needy places. This one went to the city administration of a region that contains several settlements that were occupied by Russian forces, so these goods will reach some of the neediest recipients.

• BIEM president Sam Slobodian heads back to Ukraine on August 2. The main focus of this trip will be humanitarian aid, but praise the Lord, he will also participate in a baptism and an ordination!

• Today BIEM personnel drove another 5 tons of food from Poland into Ukraine, this time for the Kharkiv region. We praise God for thoughtful donors and for those driving and distributing.

• So far, we are receiving reports of young people coming to Christ in BIEM-sponsored camps in Estonia, Ukraine, and Russia. Although the Lord touches hearts in a special way through such camps every summer, we never take that blessing for granted. To God be the glory!

Prayer - Pray with us!

• Despite the war in Ukraine, one of our seminary graduates is deeply burdened for a particular district in a large city in Western Ukraine that has been flooded with refugees. Many of them plan to stay. This brother has recruited others to help start a new church, and they are praying and fasting every Friday for God’s direction and provision for that goal. Please join them in praying.

• A pastor named Aleksander emailed us today from the Intensive Care section of a hospital in central Russia. He has a weak heart, and their summer camps and other ministries may have taxed him too much. Let’s uphold this worthy servant of the Lord with our prayers.

• In Central Asia, the manager of our Christian shelter for hurting women is named Julie. She is a big blessing—talented, yet with a servant’s heart and love for Jesus. She devotes herself to running the shelter and ministering to these women and their children. It’s a big job. Please pray for her.

• In another nation of Central Asia, one church recently baptized 9 former Muslims who had put their faith in Christ. Please pray that more hearts in those regions will soften and consider their need of the Savior.

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