Ukrainian Church Is Spreading...

Hello dear brothers, churches and families.

As you know, Ukraine is the only country in Europe, where God’s church is most influential. We eagerly accepted the sound doctrine, and churches in Ukraine were established and started spreading. There are church of Christ congregations in almost all towns and cities of Donetsk region. I think that we achieved these results with the help of 1. American missionaries, 2. Christian men and women from local congregations, 3. Graduates of the Bible Institute. The history of the church in Ukraine is not so long, about 20 years. Over this period of time, we’ve had experienced a sweet taste of victory and bitter taste of defeat. Some churches fell apart, but others grew stronger and continue preaching even now. I think that the most common reason why the church in Ukraine experienced defeat is because of unprepared leaders and preachers. While planting churches, missionaries would leave them soon and give the ministry to untrained newly converted leaders, who in their turn didn’t know how to act in the house of the Lord (1Tim.3:14-15). The situation is more stable now. Ukraine is writing its own history of the church. There was a time when we were in dire need of help from brethren; now we have our own teachers, and some local churches have their own buildings to gather for worship, and that fact encourages us greatly. This is our country, and we should be proud that God’s church exists and functions here.

Several years ago, the Bible institute was recruiting about 3-4 students a year, and those who came didn’t see themselves preaching in future. And now we have 16 students who are eager to serve the Lord. We have 7 students who will graduate this year. Some of them are already preaching the sound doctrine in the churches. Others help local congregations.

*Dmitriy Kuropyantikov – is actively starting his ministry in Proletarskaya church of Christ (Donetsk). 

*Maksim Gaykov – preaches at Mayskaya church of Christ (Gorlovka). 

*Bogdan Chigvintsev – wants to minister as a youth leader at the Central church of Christ (Gorlovka). 

*Victor Nakalyuzhniy – preaches at the Central church of Christ (Donetsk). 

*Eugene Tebel – might help the work of the institute in future. 

*Polina Berdu – teaches Bible classes for kids at church of Christ (Konstantinovka). 

*Julia Kudelina – teaches Bible classes for kids at Central church of Christ (Gorlovka). 

As you can see, we try not only to teach our student but also to give them an opportunity to use their knowledge in practice. And what is more important, the church in Ukraine has learned from its mistakes and is need of trained ministers. First-year students are already helping the churches that are in need of their ministry (Vladimir Didukh – in Ivano-Frankovsk, Sergey Slastyonov and Roman Rotan – in
Illovaysk). Most likely that in the next year they will be permanent preachers in these congregations. 

In April, I have visited and preached in many church of Christ congregations (Dnepropetrovsk, Nikolayev, Donetsk, Kiev). The Bible institute has a good reputation among Ukrainian brethren, and they express their gratitude for our work on every occasion. There was a 4-day conference in Kiev “After God’s heart”. I was one of the main speakers at this conference. On my opinion, this was one of the major events on the territory of Ukraine in this year (about 150 members-leaders from 40 CoC congregations). I was allowed to speak about the institute, and I saw that many people are respectful of this ministry.

Every time we gather for worship, we remember and pray for our sponsors. If it were not for the generous congregations, families and individuals, we wouldn’t be able to train preachers and ministers for the church of Christ in Ukraine. This is our joint achievement and victory. This year our institute is facing financial difficulties. I know that financial crisis has stricken many, and that Satan doesn’t want God’s Kingdom to grow stronger and spread. Just as we’ve started seeing successful results, he is trying to close the doors in front of us. I believe, that you won’t give up, just as we don’t give up in our ministry to the Lord. We have started looking for support from the local congregations, but they are not able to meet all of the needs. If you know anyone who would be ready to help us in this ministry or you want to contribute to it, we will be so grateful. For more detailed information please contact Howell Ferguson (email: hferguson@bvbid.org )

On May 18, we plan to have the conference for young people “Personal relationships with God”, and on May 25, we’ll celebrate graduation of class 2013.

Thank you for your support and prayers, we are grateful to those who don’t lose hearts and keep helping us. If you have any questions or comments, I’m always ready to talk to you.

God's blessings!

Director of the Bible institute
Dennis Sopelnik

U.S. Teachers Visit BVBIU...

Hello dear brothers, churches and families.

I hope my letter will find you in a good mood, and you will have time to learn about the latest news in the Bible Institute and some churches in Ukraine. 

As I have mentioned in my previous report, two American teachers-missionaries (Garth Hilton and Johnny Mack Young) visited us in the beginning of March. They taught Job, Wisdom Literature, Contemporary Religious Thought and Personal Evangelism. We are thankful for their ministry and participation in God's work in Ukraine. 

Also, Garth Hilton was the main speaker at the seminar dedicated to training elders within the churches. We have discussed this topic last year. In reality, there are only a few churches here in Ukraine where they have elders ministering. Other churches are being led by the business committees. I think we should start thinking about the elders now, praying, planning and training suitable men for this position. There were about 40 people who attended the seminar, and we even had a visitor - an elder from Russia (Syktyvkar). 

Third week of March was planned for the evangelizing campaigns. All students were divided into 4 teams and helped the work of local congregations. This time we helped Central Church of Christ in Gorlovka, Mayskaya Church of Christ in Gorlovka, Church of Christ in Illovaysk and Church of Christ in Dnepropetrosk. We are grateful for our students' ministry, and we keep praying for the Lord and the leaders of the churches to keep working with these people. There were no baptisms, but many of the students conducted personal Bible classes, and they have made contacts to work with these people in the future. 

During this time, I was able to visit and preach at the churches in Kramatorsk, Lugansk and Donetsk. It was a huge blessing to see that God's church exists in Ukraine, and there are people who love God. Right now we have several prospective students for the next school year, but it is very difficult to recruit many people. Many congregations are physically aging, and young people who have a job are afraid of losing it. In our country, as in any other place, people want stability, and it is difficult for them to accept changes in their lives. Please pray for us to meet men who are willing to sacrifice many things to study Bible full time and serve the Lord and His church in the future. 

In March we have organized several youth group meetings within the church. It was very interesting to see how our students plan, get ready and organize such events. Everybody knows that such projects are aimed at getting more people to recognize that they need to be saved. Also in the first week of March, we invited parents of those kids who attend our Bible school, The Gifted Child. There were 5 new mothers who gladly visited us. After the Sunday service, kids showed their talents reciting poems and performing in short plays. 

We are looking forward to seeing Denton Landon next month and pray for his safe travels. I want to thank all those people who keep helping and supporting the Bible institute and God's work here in Ukraine. In 1 Corinthians 13:8 it is said that love never fails; it's because you show it in your deeds continuously. Helping and supporting the Bible Institute in Ukraine, you give another chance to those people who want to preach the truth.

God's blessings.

Your brother and co-worker,
Dennis

To see Dennis' report with pictures, please click here.

A Full Schedule Of Activities In Ukraine...

Hello dear brothers, families and churches.

In Ukraine, spring gradually overcomes winter, and we are looking forward to the warmer weather. The temperature at the Institute is good for having classes and worship services.

February was a month full of events.

The Institute is doing well. First-year students had 1, 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles (taught by Victor Semikoz) and fist part of the Minor Prophets (taught by Dennis Sopelnik). Second-year students had Hebrews (taught by Albert Bagdasaryan) and 1, 2 Timothy and Titus (taught by Dennis Sopelnik). As you can see that in February we had only Ukrainian teachers, who shared their experience and knowledge, which they received studying the Bible and ministering at the local churches. 

In March, we have two American teachers: Garth Hilton and Johnny MacYoung. They have made it safely to Ukraine and have already started teaching their courses. We need the help of our brothers, and it’s a good opportunity to receive encouragement and support from them. 

We have other good news: in March, our first-year students Roman Rotan’ and Sergey Slastyonov started preaching in Illovaysk church of Christ. The church had experienced many troubles. We were praying and looking for those men who will be willing to serve there, and after long conversations with brethren from the US and the church in Illovaysk, we came to the common decision. We hope that our students will be God’s preachers, proclaiming His truth. 

In February, I preached in Nikolayev, Maysakaya church of Christ (Gorlovka), and also visited Central church of Christ in Donetsk. They all welcomed me, and I didn’t miss the opportunity to tell about the Institute and to look for prospective students.  

I hope you like holidays and surprises, because we (men) were surprised by the event our ladies had organized for us. On February 23, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Defender of the Motherland. And our sisters prepared greetings and a festive program for us, defenders of the gospel. It was really very interesting and fun. We are so grateful for their work. 

At the beginning of last month, a brother-missionary from the US David Binkley contacted me with a request to help the church during their absence. He and his wife Galina live in Nikolayev and preach the gospel there for several years. This time he had the scheduled 3-month business trip to the US, and he needed the help of the brethren who could substitute for him. We were able to provide such help, and our students travel to Nikolayev, and they preach there every Sunday. It really shows how important the work of the Institute is in the life of the church in Ukraine. We love this missionary and are looking forward to his return to Ukraine. 

My wife and I keep visiting the orphanage, and we have good connection with those kids. Also the director of the orphanage is not opposed to cooperating with us and provided us an opportunity to work with those kids on a permanent basis. Praise to the Lord for these opened doors. 

On March 9, we have planned a one-day lectureship on the topic of preparing the future elders in the church. Garth Hilton will be our guest speaker. We hope that there will be many representatives from local churches present here.   

Thank you brothers, sisters and churches for your help and ministry. We pray for you during our chapels and thank God for you love and devotion. I want to thank all of the American and Ukrainian teachers, who are dedicated to this ministry and help us to train preachers.

God bless you!

Your co-worker,
Dennis

To see Dennis’ report with pictures, please click here.

A Quiet Beginning To The New Year...

Dear brothers, families and churches.

I’m glad that I have an opportunity to share with you the news and events that took place at the Institute and some churches of Christ in Ukraine.

If I were to describe briefly the beginning of the year, 2013, I would say just one word, “quiet.” In Ukraine as in other post-soviet countries, the beginning of January is often called a “two-week vacation.” People are in no hurry; most offices are closed, and this idleness also influences the spiritual area. 

On January 8, the classes in our school resumed. Now we have 16 students in our program: 9 first-year students and 7 second-year students. In January, the former had Joshua, Judges and Ruth, and the latter had Homiletics II and World Religions.  

In the middle of January, we were visited by Howell Ferguson, the coordinator of the Ukrainian extension school. He taught Homiletics II, preached at the Sunday service and gave us wise advices about how to develop into a full-grown sound church. We are grateful for his work and ministry here in Ukraine.  

Some students have started preaching at the local congregations. Many of them do not have any financial support for this ministry, but their hearts are willing to spread the gospel. Last Sunday, four first-year students (Sergey Slastyonov, Roman Rotan, Vlad Borisenko and Pavel Tuznichenko) went to Illovaysk to participate in Sunday service there. I think it is a good starting point for them. We keep praying for each of them to use their full potential to serve the Lord. 

Also our students have an opportunity to preach in Dokuchayevsk (a small town in Donetsk region). There have been a church of Christ congregation there for 10 years, and they don’t have a full-time preacher at the moment. It is just as Jesus said: “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). 

There is sad and joyous news in the Central church of Christ in Gorlovka, an elderly lady Lidiya Andreyevna passed away. She was a faithful Christian, and we know that she went to the Lord. Yet since the church consists of about 30 people, the loss of one of the church members really affects them all. Apostle Paul in 1 Thess.4:13 gives us a joyful reminder that we hope to be with the Lord. And in verse 18 he writes, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 

We continue visiting the orphanage, and we thank you for your prayers.  Kids are looking forward to our visits. They are unexpectedly receptive of God’s Word, and many of them study the Bible by themselves. It encourages us a lot. 

At the beginning of May, there will be a Christian conference for churches of Christ in Ukraine. It will take place in Kiev, and I was invited as one of their speakers. I hope it will be a good opportunity to tell about our Bible institute and the sound doctrine that should be in God’s church. Please pray for this opportunity and for me. 

Thank you for your support both financial and spiritual of our ministry in Ukraine. God is accomplishing a lot through His servants. We are grateful for every soul who cares about preaching the gospel and keeps us in their prayers. 

BVBIU students and staff and God’s churches in Ukraine send you their greetings.  

God bless you abundantly for every good work. 

Your brother and coworker,
Dennis Sopelnik

To see Dennis' report with pictures, please click here.

New Opportunities, Ideas and Plans In Ukraine...

Dear brothers, families and churches.

Every New Year is associated for us with new opportunities, ideas and plans. We want to wish everybody wisdom and patience in fulfilling God’s will. We still have many ideas that weren’t implemented before, and we hope to complete most of what we have planned with the help of your prayers and support of God’s work in Ukraine.

The passing year was very successful for the institute and God’s church. We had 5 graduates. One of the graduates is working as a secretary at the institute, and two others help local churches in their work. Also we had a very successful recruitment. We have 10 freshmen, who actively joined God’s work and student’s life. Sponsors continue supporting the institute despite the difficult economic situation. We thank our Creator for this all. This year was fruitful for us. We don’t know what is waiting for us in the year 2013, but we fully rely on His mercy. 

In December, I had an opportunity to make several important trips to recruit new students for the next school year. I visited Dnipropetrovsk and Dniprodzerzhynsk (these two cities are situated in Central Ukraine). Our graduate, Alexander Rodichev is preaching in one of these cities. He finished our program two years ago. God is really taking care of His work in Ukraine. Alexander and his wife Helen (also BVBIU graduate) has been coming to Dnipropetrovsk for more than a year now. He is preaching there, and Lena is teaching Bible classes for kids. They both are willing to move there permanently. 

At the end of December, we had some fellowship time with our students to summarize and celebrate the passing year 2012; it was interesting and fun. Some of the students participated in preparing this celebration. I think that such events help to create friendly atmosphere among our students. Right now the institute is on the Winter Break, and classes will resume on January 8. We are looking forward to Howell Ferguson’s arrival; he will teach Homiletics 2.

In January, another student from Smela (Cherkassy region), Sergey, will join our program. He wanted to become our student, but his family situation didn’t allow him to do that. In February, we expect the arrival of another student from Kramatorsk, Arthur. Please pray for these men because they are future leaders for God’s church. 

Right now the weather in Ukraine is good: -5C at night and +2C during day. We have managed to put three new windows in two classrooms, and we have to print new advertising flyers for the institute. As you can see, Solomon wisely said that “money answereth all things” (Eccl. 10:19). Living in this material world, we really depend on it. Some say that money rules the world, but our Lord is even greater than that. We have to be thankful for everything that we have, and He will always give to His children what they need. 

Also we have some sad news. We had to say goodbye to one of our students, Julia. She is kind but very reserved young lady, who started our program in September. From the very beginning, it was difficult for her to study. She showed low results on final tests and memory work tests, didn’t do her homework on time and often missed classes without the valid reasons. We talked about that with the teachers, and after several conversations with Julia, we decided that she has to leave the program. Please pray for her and her future. 

In the Central Church of Christ in Gorlovka, we had a baptism. A lady Galina (she is sight impaired) decided to be baptized again. She was previously baptized in Artyomovsk Church of Christ, but then she went to the church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons), and after that she returned to us. After several conversations with the preacher, Andrew Zhuravlyov, she decided to be baptized again. We hope that she will become a faithful Christian. 

My wife and I continue visiting the orphanage. Even though our visits are rare (only 2-3 times in a month), we got used to those kids, and they also love us. 

Our students send you their greetings and the best wishes. We want to thank everyone who participates in the work of this institute: American and Ukrainian teachers, sponsors and those who continuously support us in prayers. We need all of you.

Your brother and co-worker for the Lord’s cause,

Dennis Sopelnik

If you would like to see Dennis’ report with pictures, please click here.