ODESA, UKRAINE
Odesa, located on the Black Sea, is Ukraine’s third largest city, a regional vacation destination, and a hub for shipping and education. When the MTW Odesa team first arrived here in the 90s, people were hungry for spiritual truth. But as western culture has gained influence during the last decade, the Ukrainian people are increasingly less open to the gospel. Yet, comparatively, Ukraine is still far more open than the rest of Europe. We still have a window of opportunity to reach this generation.
The Odesa team works with Ukrainian churches to develop leaders and help congregations, mostly comprised of first-generation believers, to mature. We also aim to reach future leaders through our English and university outreaches, and to help train the next generation of American missionaries who will help work with Ukrainian believers to advance the Church and the gospel throughout the former Soviet Union.
MEET THE TEAM
Burnham, Bob & Andrea
The Burnhams assist Ukrainian believers in organizing congregations that honor God in both word and deed.
The Burnhams assist Ukrainian believers in organizing congregations that honor God in both word and deed.
Hart, Rachel
Rachel is a member of the Odesa, Ukraine team, serving as women’s ministry coordinator, which includes caring for those dealing with grief and trauma.
Rachel is a member of the Odesa, Ukraine team, serving as women’s ministry coordinator, which includes caring for...
Martin, David & Jill
David and Jill operate the MTW Anchor School where they strive to meet the unique educational needs of the children of missionaries.
David and Jill operate the MTW Anchor School where they strive to meet the unique educational needs of the children...
Stovall, Lauren
Lauren serves the people of Odessa through teaching at a school for missionary kids, ministering to university students, and mentoring Ukrainian women.
Lauren serves the people of Odessa through teaching at a school for missionary kids, ministering to university...
GET INVOLVED
Lauren Stovall: Pandemic, War, & a Surprise (VIDEO)
Missionary life in Ukraine has not gone as expected for Lauren: lockdowns, isolation, exodus to Romania, and an unanticipated romance.
SEE MOREWe're In This Together: A Crates for Ukraine Update
Over 250 churches came together to pack and send more than 1,200 relief crates to Ukrainians in need.
SEE MOREAn Opportunity For the Ukrainian Church (VIDEO)
The Church has this unique moment to minister right where people are broken and vulnerable, offering them a stable hope that cannot change.
SEE MOREThe Ukraine Crisis Has Been an Opportunity for the Church to Act as One (VIDEO)
"Brothers and sisters, it was incredible. This is one of the strongest testimonies throughout this time. I have seen the Church act as one."
SEE MOREThank You for Helping Ukraine! (VIDEO)
The church has been so generous to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. Thank you for all you've made possible.
SEE MOREDasha: A Life Transformed and Faith Renewed in Ukraine (VIDEO)
After two months sheltering in a school, Dasha yearned to hear silence, to see friends, to walk—not run—on the street, to read the Bible.
SEE MOREMTW Ukraine Team and Church Leaders Care for the Community in Crisis (VIDEO)
From the start of the war, MTW Ukraine missionaries and church leaders stepped into action to respond and care for those around them.
SEE MORECrates for Ukraine: Meeting Needs in a Meaningful Way
MTW missionaries hope a new initiative for churches to fill crates and fly them to Poland will solve several challenges and streamline aid.
SEE MOREThe Stakes Are High for Ukrainians Praying for Peace
These are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must stand with them. They are looking at the prospect of losing their freedom to worship.
SEE MORELight Shines in the Darkness in Ukraine
Churches and believers in Ukraine and in neighboring countries have been able to show extraordinary hospitality amid the darkness of war.
SEE MOREFleeing Ukraine in Photos
MTW Ukraine missionary Bob Burnham snapped photos during his exodus from Odesa at the outbreak of the war, documenting his journey.
SEE MOREHow Pastors Are Ministering in Ukrainian Cities Under Attack
We spoke with two Ukrainian pastors who minister to churches in two cities where there has been intense bombing.
SEE MOREBroken Reeds and Smoldering Wicks: Isaiah Provides a Perspective on the War in Ukraine
Isaiah reminds us how God gets His will done in dark places, and offers wisdom for believers ministering in the Ukraine crisis.
SEE MOREMinistry in a Time of War: How Missionaries and Pastors Are Coping With the Unimaginable
The crisis has forced many Ukrainian Christians to make heart-wrenching decisions while trying to come to grips with their new reality.
SEE MORELauren Stovall: Meeting Prayer Partners and Supporters (VIDEO)
In this second video highlighting Lauren's missionary journey to Ukraine, we follow along as Lauren raises financial and prayer support.
SEE MOREMeet Lauren Stovall (VIDEO)
As an elementary and middle school art teacher, Lauren never imagined God would call her overseas, let alone to Ukraine. But He did.
SEE MOREOne Day with Robin Price: Prayer Walking in Berlin (VIDEO)
Follow along on a prayer journey vision trip as an MTW missionary learns how she can take the ministry of prayer walking back to Ukraine.
SEE MOREA Summer Internship Reveals a Surprise Call to Missions
What did I know about Ukraine? I knew it's near Russia and it’s cold. Still I found myself emailing the team leader for more information.
SEE MORESpontaneous Love: Ukrainian Church Plant Reaches Out to Refugees
When disabled and elderly refugees from eastern Ukraine were forced to flee, a local Presbyterian church embraced them like family.
SEE MOREThey All Have First Names
As refugees flood into European countries where we minister, we are learning how to love them as Christ does.
SEE MOREFinding Jesus in Ukraine: My Journey from Atheist to Missionary
I grew up in a typical Soviet atheist family, not thinking about God and faith. Then one summer I met real Christians for the first time.
SEE MOREGoliath Must Fall: Two Gospel Stories
In a hard-to-reach, largely atheistic European city, these stories declare the gospel to be "the power of God unto salvation."
SEE MOREForced to Flee: Refugees in Ukraine
More than a million people have been displaced by the fighting, mostly from east Ukraine, and many of them have come to the Odessa region.
SEE MOREThe Crisis in Ukraine
The political situation unfolding across Ukraine is impacting the lives of missionaries and could have implications for future ministry.
SEE MOREWhen Loneliness Hits
It was a tough month for me—the hardest I've had since I arrived in Ukraine. They say that all missionaries "hit a wall" somewhere...
SEE MOREThe Remarkable Influence of Believers in Ukraine
With much thanksgiving, I write to confirm that God is answering prayers for Ukraine in marvelous ways.
SEE MOREOn the Road to Faith
“I think most people here don’t believe I’m a Christian. What do you think?” asked Kostya, a young man attending summer English camp.
SEE MORELooking After Souls
Robin teared up as she shared her frustrations. Alyona reached out her hand and said, "But you have talent. You look after souls."
SEE MORESeeking Positive Role Models in Ukraine
Coming from a broken home and an abusive father, Vasilisa is terrified she’ll fall into the same situation with whomever she marries.
SEE MORE
Pray against rape, murder, and capture of men, women, and children in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Pray for protection for the vulnerable.
Give thanks for and pray for the Krakow crisis team, the distribution of aid, and the shelter ministry as the team cares for displaced Ukrainians.
Pray for courage for Christ’s followers in and around Ukraine. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for families who have evacuated, leaving behind the only place they have ever known. Pray for transition and provision.
Pray for pastors who have stayed behind in Ukraine as they minister to their congregations and the surrounding communities in a time of war.
Pray for the health, rest, and ability to continue for those who are working with and making arrangements for refugees. It can feel like the future of each one of them is in your hands. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray that our brothers and sisters who have lost everything will cling to the community of believers and ultimate hope in Christ, and for the massive movement of people and the refugee work our teams are involved in focusing on Lviv and Krakow. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for Ukraine to trust what is not changeable and to hope in what cannot be lost. May the Church in Ukraine be strengthened through this war. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis
Pray for MTW Ukraine's publishing ministry, translating and publishing Reformed materials in Ukrainian to equip pastors and laypeople in the Church.
Pray for Ukrainian refugees who are being welcomed by the church in Belgorod to be drawn to Christ.
Pray for MTW's ministry to refugees in Greece, Germany, Ukraine, Uganda, Panama, and the U.S.
Pray for teams teaching English (ESL) as a part of their ministry and for the students who attend English classes/camp.
Thank God for bringing Ukrainians to faith in Him and giving them the vision to reach their own country for Christ. Pray for many more to be transformed.
Pray for two women, Monika and Andrea, who have recently come to faith against the odds in a hard-to-reach, largely atheistic European city.
Pray for Monika, that God would continue to heal her, give her a new purpose, and protect her life from physical harm, and for Andrea, that she would grow deep roots of faith and be a witness to those like her—unlikely subjects—of the reality of the grace of God.
Pray for Ukraine refugees who have had to abandon their homes due to the fighting. Pray for God to use their displacement to draw them to Himself.
Pray for the safety of believers in Ukraine. Pray for God to use the crisis to strengthen their faith and bring more Ukrainians to Christ.
Pray for believers in Ukraine during a time of political uncertainty.
Pray for missionaries on the field who struggle with loneliness.
Give thanks to God for believers in Ukraine who are standing strong and joining together across denominations for prayer.
Help the church of Ukraine get relief during the war and rebuild in the future.
1600 North Brown Rd
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
United States
1-678-823-0004
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