What are we doing?
Church Leadership: The church in Rzshychiv, Ukraine is small in number and struggling to develop in a country ravaged by corruption in post soviet era. After communism, industry throughout the former breadbasket was brought to a standstill. Unemployment has tripled in the last year (2008-2009), and in smaller communities it’s even worse. Private business is extremely difficult to make profitable with over taxation and regulation. Men turn to drinking at a young age, and relinquish their desire to lead their homes, love their wives, and are passing these traits on to the next generation. The women run the schools, the hospitals, the city government departments, leaving children to be raised by a society without a moral compass. Some statistics show 40% of Ukrainians smoke (I’m convinced it’s higher), and begin smoking at an average age of 10yrs old. The average lifespan for males is a staggering 61yrs. Ukraine permits the selling of cigarettes and alcohol to minors. Unemployment leads to hopelessness, to drinking, to forms of abuse, the destruction of the family unit, and a country in desperate need for Christ.
Less than 3% of Ukraine is evangelical Christian in doctrine, they are culturally orthodox which carries more religious superstition than it does moral weight I find. Though there is a rich history of Christianity, and some Orthodox believers that are trying to make a difference, the overwhelming consensus among protestant believers is that the Orthodox church is more apathetic toward a spiritual awakening than it is a proponent of it. Fortunately, and unlike the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia, the Orthodox church has less of an authoritative role in religious freedom, and more of a symbolic and cultural reference to the Ukrainians past. In some cases, as is in our town, the church is not opposing the actions of the protestant believers, though we wouldn’t receive official approval. This has allowed missionaries in Ukraine, unparalleled freedom to interact and reach out to the Ukrainians during this season of east vs west struggle over Ukraine.
Deb and I serve in the church here, which is comprised of several other missionaries from Australia, America, New Zealand and Canada. Currently the church is made up of 30-40 believers, mostly young college-30yrs old. It is an independent, non-registered church, which allows us to work with any believing church and denomination. I am serving as an elder, with 2 other men. Together we meet regularly for prayer, and decision making as it relates to the spiritual growth and future of the body that God has brought together. I’m particularly involved in outreach, and have a heart to put legs to the testimony of Christ in every believer through service and acts of love in our community. I’m also burdened to help the local missionaries in our region continue to see God work in their areas of ministry. Through connections, and logistical support we meet and offer help with different ministries and opportunities outside of our local church as well.
Sister City Partnership: In 2008 we helped initiate a strategic relationship between Kilgore, Texas and our new home in Rzshyschiv, Ukraine. We host regular Webcast video conference meetings between the two Mayor’s and City leaders. Through this relationship the two communities have been able to learn about each others culture, government policies, business climate, but most importantly meet new friends across the ocean.
This partnership is meeting a practical need in Ukraine, by providing business concepts and economic development strategies that are still very new in the former Soviet state. The Soviet system is still very much in place, from the long lines, the stamps and over abundance of documents at every turn. Sharing of budget information, how American communities are set up, run meetings, involve business discussion, are interesting topics for Ukrainian government officials, especially on the local level in smaller communities that are left to fend for themselves.
As we have worked to build this practical bridge, and meet this felt need in our new community, God has worked wonders by opening doors for continued religious freedom and genuine trust among the local believers in the town. We are friends with the city officials, and greeted as such in public. Our church has been asked to help participate and organize several events for the city, especially in the area of children and family. The body of Christ is being recognized as asset to the community, a caring and genuine expression of hope for the future of our town. We give God glory and praise for this opportunity and the relationship that has been forged through the Sister City partnership.
Business Development: in 2009 we registered Business Development Network in Ukraine, for the purpose of training and aiding entrepreneurship in Ukraine. Ukraine is a place of open opportunity, shadowed by corruption and a me centered philosophy. We’ve begun hosting ‘Business Seminars’ in our community for the purpose of sharing ideas among government and private business. We’ve brought in fellow business owners/friends from America to share as objective observers and teach on such topics as, Customer Service; Economic Development; Entrepeneurship. As Christians, we’re able to share about the ethics and morals that govern business principles and every successful nation. The golden rule is not a common principle here in Ukraine, and by showcasing practical examples in business, with the leaders of our town, we’re able to share about Christ, the ultimate example of self sacrifice and greatness.
Orphanage Ministry: In 2009 we started meeting with 2 other couples in our local church that share a burden to work with orphans. We’ve begun educating ourselves on the Ukrainian system of orphan care, as well meeting directors in our town and region. Through partnerships with other churches and friends, we are working to start a weekly outreach in a local orphanage as a local body.
The orphans in Ukraine (25k officially registered) are generally cared for (food and clothing), however the larger the orphange, the less hands on attention and care. We have the opportunity to build bridges into more orphanages by providing shoes. I have registered www.shoesfororphans.com and believing God to raise up this ministry. The website will allow for businesses and churches around the world to simply donate and help sponsor a pair of shoes for an orphaned child. We are investigating currently the best methods of bulk shoe purchasing/importing, as the shoes in Ukraine are very poor in quality (or very expensive if imported). By caring for practical needs such as this, we believe that important relationships with directors and ministry opportunities within the orphanages will help local churches in their effort to reach souls for Christ.
Building a Network: In 1995, God laid a burden on my heart. I heard the voice of the Lord in my spirit say, “Missions Network, I want you to put wings on my church.” After years of contemplation, frustration over God’s seemingly poor timing, I’m watching many of these things start to unravel in my eyes. Many ‘potential’ missionaries are sitting right now in their churches, frustrated as I was over the lack of concern, or emphasis for foreign missions. Christians are tired, as was I, at the over abundance of short term ‘trips’, which seem to exists in most cases for our own pleasure and benefit than they do long term Kingdom impact. 5 people going on a short term trip pay for 1 family full time on the mission field… FOR A YEAR. Tell me, which do you think has more of an opportunity to exemplify Christ and influence the heart of a common person?
God has placed in our lives some wonderful friends, and contacts. Pastors of churches, missions organizations, business owners that love Christ. We consider this part of God’s plan for our lives, and reason we lived 14yrs longer in the US than we wanted. Through strategic friendships, and trusted alliances, we are beginning to partner, and pull in God’s gift of people, talents, wisdom and finances into Ukraine and eventually Russia. God, in HIS wisdom has allowed us to have such great contacts.. you! Together, through a network of missions minded believers, we can expedite the Lords return and influence nations for Jesus. We’ve started a website www.missionsnetwork.com , which is still in it’s infancy, and I believe it will be a while longer before we truly use it efficiently… but the desire is to be a hub of Christian missions activity, connecting the church to it’s mission, putting wings on the abundantly blessed western church, funneling it’s resources wisely into areas of need.
Cypress Interactive: In 2003 God led me to start a web development business, www.cypressinteractive.com and www.edsuite.com. This was indeed not part of my plan as it relates to missions, but I once again ascribe wisdom to our God, and gratefulness for allowing me to do this. The business has been blessed with great clients, and wonderful Christian brothers who work in design, programming and project management. Through the internet, I’m able to continue a role, though lessened in Ukraine, of management and general oversight. The funds generated by the company allow my family to live in Ukraine without concerns of monthly support. They also allow us to give and help toward needy projects as a family and support missions collectively as a business. What I originally heralded as God not being ‘fair’ to keep us longer in the US, and accusing Him of not caring about our burden for the former USSR, God kindly showed mercy and has allowed us to continue in business even while in Ukraine, and use the experience hopefully to help others starting their own businesses.
Raising a Family: our greatest disciples are our children. With 5 boys and 1 daughter, Deb and I consider them to be our most prized ministry, a gift directly from the Lord. By God’s grace we are praying and working in their lives to help them see the harvest, to care about others, and to know the kindness of of our great God! While we are busy with many other things in life, nothing burdens us more than to see our children follow our Savior, and we pray, their pursuit would include extending and doing greater things then that of their parents.
This is a snapshot of our life and ministry. We share it to encourage you, God can use anyone willing to trust and obey His calling. We’re not special, we’re sinners like you, saved by gift of God’s grace. We share it to challenge you if you are finding yourself settling in for a quiet uneventful life, get off your couch and find out what God is doing, or wants to do in your town! We share it in hope that you might take a moment to pray for us, and for Ukraine at this time in history, that God would move on this nation, on His church, for His fame in the earth.