Newsletter – Community of the Good Shepherd #2, 2021
Training for Church Planters
This year, God gave our church the opportunity to join the new international project SALT that has been launched in Ukraine. From January through March, the ministers from McLean Bible Church were training our leaders on how to plant churches via Zoom. Over 200 brothers from different countries could simultaneously learn and receive practical inputs on how to effectively plant the new churches. The finale of the online training was a meeting of invited participants of the SALT project to our church in Rivne. The pastors and church planters had a very productive fellowship as they got together to reflect on this very important topic. We thank God for the sisters who spent their time serving the guests, lovingly caring for the saints.
Spiritual Formation
Our senior pastor, Taras Prystupa, began teaching a course on spiritual formation on Wednesdays as we have our night services. After being taught by Taras Prystupa on spiritual formation at the Word of Grace Bible College, the brothers greatly appreciated the course and asked him to repeat it for the whole church. This training will help the church members be on the same page, grow in unity, and understand where we, as a church, should direct our intentions, efforts, and time.
Family Events
In March, the church had an opportunity to pray over and bless the newborn, Veniamin Blyshchyk. On April 25, a son, named Yan, was born to the family of Vanya and Ani Guranets, and on May 14, the second daughter, Mia, was born to the family of Vitalik and Oli Bakunets. We praise the Lord for these kids!!!
On April 4, 2021, at the age of 50, Serhiy Melnychuk, went to be with the Lord. The brother suffered severe injuries due to a falling from a tree and was hospitalized for quite a long time. His young wife and the little daughter attend our church on a regular basis. A sister, Luda, is also a member of the church. The funeral service took place in the the church building of the Community of the Good Shepherd. Many people shared their good memories of this cheerful, frank and hard-working brother. Please pray for the salvation of Serhiy's unbelieving parents.
Evangelism through Sports
With the arrival of spring, the Lord provided an opportunity to hold three open-air tournaments for boys of different ages from the friendly teams of the Christian Soccer Union of Ukraine (CSUU) in Rivne. Our ministers also organized a coaching seminar in Zalissya for the leaders of Christian teams of Ukraine.
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The Christian floor hockey team SKY, that celebrated its 6th anniversary in March, visited the competitions in Lutsk and Ostroh three times with children of different ages. Thank God that children were able to hear the gospel every time they gathered for practice. The team under 12 studied the course “The Names of God,” while the category under 14 – the Gospel of John, and the category under 16 - a series of lessons on how to have a close relationship with God, as well as the girls' team studies a course on how to be free in Christ from fears.
Evangelism through Paintings
Connoisseurs of art in the city center were offered an exhibition of reproductions of works by world-famous artists on the theme “Savior of the World.” During the presentation, passers-by could hear a story about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the art works and the Bible.
Community of the Good Shepherd's Thirtieth Anniversary
God profusely blessed our church to celebrate the event in Zalissya. As we all gathered together for corporate worship, a family topic was touched on by speakers. Not only the sermon on the Church of Christ created a wonderful atmosphere, but also the testimony of the church members to the brightest memorable events connected in their lives with the church Community of the Good Shepherd. The rest of the day the church members and guests spent fellowshipping in the fresh air. We also congratulated our pastor, Taras Mykolayovych, and his wife on the 40th anniversary of their marriage.
Mother's Day
On May 9, the sisters of our church organized an event where we could celebrate a Mother's Day. In a warm setting, we talked about the motherhood according to God's designed. Our pastor was also invited to give talk on the topic. The young brothers had an opportunity to serve in organizing the room and after the gathering they have done the dishes, which moved some women to tears. Thank God that unbelieving friends and relatives could hear the Gospel on this holiday!
Easter
The celebratory service took place in the church Community of the Dear Shepherd on May 2, 2021. Sunday school and children's choir prepared a festive celebration: songs, poems, and a play. The family of Mazurs gave their salvation testimony to how the Risen Savior entered their lives.
How are we to properly understand the celebration of Easter? What are the reasons for the celebrations? How should Christians celebrate this day? All these topics were covered by our pastor, Taras Prystupa, in his message.
Visits
Our sisters, along with Natalka Platova, were visiting Lutsk every month, where they had get-togethers with friends - women and children we know from previous outreach camps for war widows and orphans. During their meetings, they always used the opportunity to elaborate on God's Word.
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Taras Prystupa traveled to Odessa for the ordination of ministers in one of the churches where graduates of Biblical School serve. He also met with our missionaries and some pastors.
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At the invitation of one of the school’s administration, Ruslana Kovalchuk visited Novovolynsk with an exhibition of reproductions of paintings by world-famous artists on the theme “The Life of Jesus Christ in Paintings,” which lasted all day for students of grades 3-10.
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Ruslana Kovalchuk and young church assistants conducted the final quest “Give Hope” at the Klevan school for visually impaired children, where she teaches Christian ethics. Please pray for these children!
Prayer Needs
A spiritual and labor project for teenagers “School of Noah” will run through the summer, where they will be able to learn how to work by hands to pick up some necessary life skills as well as have biblical classes.
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During the summer, the outreach trips are planned with reproductions of paintings by famous artists on the theme “Savior of the World” in various cities of Ukraine.
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The baptism classes are being held for the people who came to believe and want to get baptized in early fall. Please remember them in your prayers.
Nina Tomilko, Natalia Mazur, Tanya Arterchuk, Tolik Kitaykin