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.

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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...

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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...

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GET INVOLVED

Teacher for MK School

Church Planting Opportunities in Ukraine

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Crates 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.

The 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.

Light 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.

Fleeing Ukraine in Photos

MTW Ukraine missionary Bob Burnham snapped photos during his exodus from Odesa at the outbreak of the war, documenting his journey.

How 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.

Broken 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.

Ministry 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.

Lauren 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.

Meet 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.

One 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.

A 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.

Spontaneous 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.

They All Have First Names

As refugees flood into European countries where we minister, we are learning how to love them as Christ does.

Finding 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.

Goliath 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."

Forced 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.

The Crisis in Ukraine

The political situation unfolding across Ukraine is impacting the lives of missionaries and could have implications for future ministry.

"This is our 9/11"

Unrest in Ukraine ushers in a new season of spiritual openness.

When 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...

The Remarkable Influence of Believers in Ukraine

With much thanksgiving, I write to confirm that God is answering prayers for Ukraine in marvelous ways.

On 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.

Looking 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."

Seeking 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.

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.

UA Ukraine Crisis Church Fund

Help the church of Ukraine get relief during the war and rebuild in the future.