by Bob Cave
I just returned from our 2017 church planting trip to the Ukraine. We are on target to plant 25 new location across the country. This is a necessity as thousands have turned to Christ over the last three years. When Russia and Ukraine got into conflict and vast amounts of territory have come into hot dispute, it has turned into a war where more than ten thousand have died and many have been injured. That affects the heart of the country, where people have lost relatives, sons, and friends, and now they are asking deep questions about God.
Bishop Reshetinsky’s mother church in Kiev has sent evangelism teams to towns, villages, and cities to offer the hope of Christ. They saw many saved and in need of a place to grow in the Lord; thus, they need new churches. We have set a goal for 20 this year and the Lord has blessed us with 25.
To make this happen, we asked individuals and churches to sponsor a church plant at $5,000 each. This is a rare opportunity because the war has cut the value of local currency by two thirds to the 1995 price when we were able to plant almost 100 churches in about ten years. Typically the $5,000 bought a house to be renovated into a church, paid a pastor for the first year, and purchased Bibles. We can do the same now!
If a donor or pastor from a US/Canada church wanted to witness the church being planted, we have opportunities this year and next to make the 9-day trip. If donors do not choose to travel to Ukraine, leaders and pastors are ready and will plant it on your behalf.
Last week we kicked off the plants with Bishop Dayton Birt and Brian Sawyer of Redemption Conference, and Phillip Gschwend of Upper Christian Fellowship. Thank you to Happy Homes Church in Tyner, North Carolina for sponsoring two church plants, and to Upper Christian Fellowship in South Carolina for your contributions.
Please let us know if your church would like to make this your 2017 or 2018 project! We would love for you to join us in this exciting area of ministry!
For more information, please contact:
Bob Cave: bcave@iphc.org 210.929.9797
