Missionary Trips

Two young men from our church became part of the interchurch outreach team, and they were well-supported by all other members of the church while being on a journey to a place where there is people group, who do not have yet any Christian church. Recently, one of our ministers visited the non-Christian nation in Asia. And the Christian soccer team “Nadia” visited the Ukrainian military men, who are defending the borderline near the city of Mariupol. Also, our pastor and ministers visited brothers and sisters, who work in Armenia.

Baptized into One Body

The new school year for our church started off with the celebration of baptism. Four young people joined the family of God: one brother and three sisters. At the end of the baptism service, in relation to the new school year, the church traditionally uttered a benediction upon the teachers and all who are going to be engaged in study throughout the year.

Remembering the Saints

The Sovereign Lord has made the grooves of grief on the face of our church as He called for eternity all those whom He chose. Recently, two sisters from our church paid their last respect to their loved ones (husband and brother). And in October, the two souls – our two sisters have departed to heaven like two broken off “autumn leaves” one after another: October 7th – Raisa Andryivna Vasilieva, and October 8th – Sofia Mikhailovna Jolud.

In recent years, Raisa Andryivna was very sick and, at the same time she kept on glorifying God through her life. Sophia Mikhailovna was honored by the Lord to be the oldest resident in the city. She has lived exactly 100 years and 8 days. On September 30, on the Thanksgiving Day, it was her hundredth anniversary, and our sister Sophia was visited by our brothers and sisters. Surprisingly, despite the physical weakness, she relied upon Christ until the very last day, as well as clearly professed her beliefs, genuinely praising God for all blessings in her life.

Familial Joy

In the fall, we had the opportunity to celebrate lots of birthdays. Actually, some people celebrated their birthday for the first time. Thus, the Lord has gifted Vasil and Tanya Novachuks with two daughters, Sofiyuk, and Mariyka. The family has gone through a lot of trials in the first weeks following the premature delivery. However, this situation played a vital role in uniting the church, as the people willingly responded to the need and seen to a young family by taking turns. We continue to pray for the recovery and good development of the infants.

Daughter, Evelin, was born in the family of Valery and Natalka Prystupas.  Another two young families – Bakunets and Palchevskys, are expecting the birth of children, too.

In September, Andrey Kazmikuk and Katya Alyonova tied the knot, as well as Vanya Guranets and Anya Lotyuk, were announced in the church as an engaged couple.

Ministry

On many occasions, there were the extra meetings held, which have already become traditional. The parental class focused on the theme of “Debt Cancellation,” in the context of the general theme of family life as a life of forgiveness. The first family evening on “What Did You Expect?” took place.

Our sisters conducted monthly meetings for women that were united in one theme on management of time, which basically speaks about the ability to handle the time wisely. The season of youth meetings kicked off, as well as girl and boy’s evening parties are in the full force, being conducted on varies biblical topics.

Sunday school students have committed some of their time in the fall and at the beginning of the winter, not only to studying the Word, but also to the preparation of a children's Christmas program with songs and nativity plays.

Thanksgiving and the Holiday of the Great Commission

This year, Thanksgiving turned out to be especially vivid, thrilling, unobtrusive, and abundantly blessed by the Lord. Throughout the year, there was many who were willing to serve, as well as many ideas and gifts. The holiday program was not overwrought, or too complicated in design, but rather pithy and spectacular. The collective dinner smoothly evolved into a collective cleanup, so everyone was left excited and happy.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, the missionary committee started their preparations for the 24th annual missionary conference, which will take place in January. The key Bible verse for the conference is “that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe” Acts 15:7.

Bible Study for Adults

In the fall, after the long break, a new group of freshmen began studying at the Rivne Bible College Word of Grace. One brother from our church got into the college as well. Also, two small groups of our church members visited the last session at the Coram Deo Institute of Biblical Counseling. Some were in the classes of the Institute of inductive Bible Study.

Restarting the Heart and a Youth Camp in Carpathians

The team of youth spent most of their time in the fall, preparing for their favorite and spiritually-enlightening conference “Restarting the Heart.” And once this conference is over, the floor hockey Carpathian camp and youth winter camp LOST will be jointly heading to Zdeniyevo to enjoy their time there together. The primary amusement of the camp, as it was announced by the organizers in advance, will be the study of God's Word.

Tatyana Arterchuk, Anatoly Kitaykin