L y o n / K i e v (EBPS) – Within three years, a young Baptist pastor in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev has planted a new congregation now numbering 120 visitors. It is the most successful church plant within the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) Indigenous Missionary Project (IMP). Church planter Vladimir Omelshuk (33) introduced his “Mercy Church” at the EBF Council sessions convening in Lyon, France from 26 to 30 September.

Omelshuk, a former tailor, was ordained a Baptist minister two years ago. He began his mission work when still a student. He stated in an interview with the European Baptist Press Service (EBPS) that he does not regard the growth of the congregation as his personal achievement. He rather feels himself simply “used by God” as with Joseph in the Old Testament. Strategic missionary planning had led to the founding of the effort. That district of Kiev had 600.000 inhabitants, yet it had only a single Baptist congregation numbering 25 members. “There was obviously sufficient space for an additional congregation,” Omelshuk notes. The congregation grew out of a house group meeting in the flat of his parents-in-law. When the house group became too large, they rented a school building on Sundays in order to jointly celebrate a worship service. During the week the members also meet in five different house groups.

Omelshuk attributes his interest in the Word of God to the fact that there are few other serious options for leading a meaningful life. Neither materialism, alcohol nor sexuality can meet the challenge. Seventy-percent of all Ukrainian men are threatened by alcoholism. Approximately one million of its citizens are HIV-positive. Omelshuk concludes: „Only Jesus Christ can give one’s life true meaning.” The congregation also does more than just deal with itself – it has also launched a number of charitable projects. Nine orphans are being watched over, 10 church members have been freed from drug addiction through faith in Jesus Christ, yet they need continuing support. Church members are holding classes in public schools on the topic of Aids. This began in a very timid fashion, but the classes have been accepted so widely, that many other schools in the region are showing interest. By now the congregation has 56 baptised, mostly youthful members, 120 persons attend worship services. Omelshuk reports that two further church plants are planned for Kiev.

Following his sister’s death from cancer, Omelshuk himself had also become addicted to drugs and alkohol. But faith in Jesus Christ helped him overcome his addiction.

The IMP-programme is supporting 60 church planters active between the Arctic Circle and the Black Sea as well as several in the Mid-East. Since its beginnings in Moldova 2003 with four missionaries, the programme has grown consistently. The Polish IMP-Coordinator Daniel Trusiewicz (Wroclaw) states: “Local Christians can more easily win their fellow citizens for the Gospel of Jesus Christ than can foreign missionaries.” This work is done in close cooperation with national Baptist unions and local congregations. After five years, church planters need to have made sufficient progress in order to exist independent of any programme support. After the first two-and-a-half years, financial support is decreased by 25% every six months.