World Gospel Mission in Ukraine
In 1998, Ukraine was officially accepted as a field
of ministry for WGM and two couples, Ernie and Anna Smith and
Bill and
Betsy Tarr, were sent to begin the Lord's work. They arrived in Ukraine
in 1999 to begin their ministries. The ministry team has expanded with
the addition of Bill Brower in 2005 and
Frank and Chris Dewey in 2008.
In the decade that WGM has
been in Ukraine, we have witnessed many times over the power of the Holy
Spirit working in the lives and through the lives of so many people.
We invite you to explore our website. Learn about
our outreach ministries and the work of the Ukrainian churches we
support. Meet the people who are serving the Lord in Ukraine as
missionaries or as volunteers on work teams or task forces. Discover how
you can help to support the Ukrainian mission field through your
prayers, gifts, and time.
Latest News
(Last Updated 21 June 2009)
(A pdf
version is available for download.)
Early Summer Blessings
We are rejoicing in all God is accomplishing in Ukraine. We have had the
opportunity to witness His marvelous love and blessings many times. It’s
been a very busy Spring and a joy to serve the Lord in Ukraine!
Praises
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Ernie had a good medical checkup at the Heart Institute in Arizona. He is
still on some meds that slow him down a little – everyone tells him that
is good! Ernie and Anna returned to Ukraine April 15th.
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Bill and Oksana Brower were released from HMA and scheduled to return with
the Smiths in April. However, Bill was in a major car accident five days
prior to departure. God answered all of our prayers and he had a
miraculous healing and the doctors released them to return to Ukraine May
25th.
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We have $6,400.00 that people are praying in on their Faith
Promise for the Home of Hope Ministry Center. If you would
like to join our Faith Promise Team or want more info, please
contact me at ernie.smith@wmg.org
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Work continues on the Home of Hope Ministry Center.
Sidewalks are being poured, floor heating installed in the
main sanctuary, stairs, and balcony railings are being
installed.
Funds are still needed to complete the
construction. If you would like to help please send your
gift to WGM (PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952) and
designate Account #245-31475 – Home of Hope.
Ministry Opportunities
Ordination:
Arkadi Shl’achov is one of God’s miracles. He was
involved in the Mafia in Uzbekistan and fled to Ukraine when a hit
contract was put out on him – that’s where his mother was living.
He
was converted in the Revival Church in Primorsk and became an elder
serving the church. Through scholarships provided by many of you, he
was able to attend Wesley Bible College and has been pastoring
Revival Church for the past three years. Arkadi will be ordained July
19th.
If you would like to send a card or letter to have us translate for
you, please send the letter to us and we will present it to him at his
Ordination. If you would like to send a gift, he asks that you send a
gift to help with the construction of the Primorsk Church. Please send
your gift to WGM (PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952) and designate
Account #245-31478 (Primorsk Church Construction).
Youth Camps: Bethel (Berdyansk) and Revival (Primorsk) Churches are
preparing for their annual Summer
Youth Camps. This is a time when many children and youth come to know the
Lord and/or grow in Him.
We need your help to raise scholarships for 80 youth @ $80 each. Dates:
June 14-20, ages 8-14 (50 young
people), AND June 22-29, ages 15-20 (30 young people). Any gift you can
send will be appreciated. Please
send your gift to WGM (PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952) and designate Account
#245-21486.
Youth Center Outreach Programs: Bill and Oksana Brower returned to oversee
the youth programs and
will re-open the Youth Center in Berdyansk July 3rd (all construction is
completed, rooms are painted and
ready for kids). Funds are needed to help with games, furniture and
decorations. If interested in this
ministry, please send your gift to WGM (PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952) and
designate Account #245-21477.
Two Short-Term Volunteers (9 months to two years) are needed for teaching
English as a Second
Language, orphanage outreach, and youth ministries. These programs need to
start in September and there
is not enough personnel to meet these needs. If interested, please contact
me or World Gospel Mission:
ernie.smith@wgm.org or
wgm@wgm.org. Thanks.
Prayer Requests
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Bill Brower is still limited in what he is able to do and carry due to
the auto accident. Please continue to pray
for him and Oksana as they adjust back into living in Ukraine and
beginning new ministries and outreaches.
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Frank and Chris Dewey still need $1000.00 in monthly support prior to
their release to come to Ukraine to
help us with ministries at the Home of Hope Ministry Center as well as
assisting with the Lay Training
Institute. If you would like to partner with this couple, please send your
gift or monthly support to: WGM,
PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952 and be sure to mark it “Deweys - Ukraine”.
Home Ministry Assignment (HMA)
We will be returning to the States in August 2009 for our Home Ministry
Assignment (HMA).
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If you would like for us to visit you or your church, please contact us
and give us your preferred
dates. Write to us at ernie.smith@wgm.org
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If your church has a Mission Conference or Mission Weekend and would
like us to attend, we need
to know soon to help set up our schedule.
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We have a few open dates left in 2009 and are scheduling now for 2010:
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September 6, 2009 Indiana
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November 8 Ohio or PA area
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January – April 2010 West Coast
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May – June 2010 Central States
Thank you for partnering with us in reaching Ukrainians for Christ.
Ernie and Anna Smith
