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​Serving with Ukraine for Christ 

(Pictured above are some of the 140 Ukrainian staff)

Growing up in Ukraine during the Soviet Union, Oleg knew nothing about God until he was a 4th year college student living a life that was spiraling out of control. He was introduced to Christ by a missionary couple and God dramatically changed him. Knowing that God had saved him out of a pit gives him a special burden for college students.

After graduation, Oleg spent time working in the United States. Feeling pulled between joining his friends in business or serving God in full time ministry, he spent most of that year praying for Gods direction regarding his future. Through prayers and scripture reading God made it clear that Oleg should return to Ukraine to help reach college students for Christ. Oleg was excited to begin this new adventure because what he was called to do would count for eternity.

God captured Audra's heart for missions early on in her life. After college and then two years teaching school, she was presented with the opportunity to go to Donetsk, Ukraine to work with school teachers interested in implementing a curriculum based on the morals and ethics of the Bible. God so dramatically opened the way for her to go that as soon as she arrived in Ukraine in 1994 she was ready to stay there her whole life if God willed. The ministry to teachers grew into outreach to their children who were often students. She then signed up to serve long term in Ukraine.

The ministry in Ukraine began with 3 American families reaching out to college students in 1992. Their goal was to replace themselves with Ukrainians. Now there are 140 Ukrainians serving on staff with "Ukraine for Christ". Our ministries include Campus, Global Church Movement, Leader Impact (outreach to young professionals), Family Life, Athletes in Action, Military Ministry, Teacher Movement, International School Project, Humanitarian, Crescendo and outreach to Ukrainian Refugees in Budapest.

After years of being a part of student ministry in Ukraine, Oleg was asked to use his gifting in administration and fill the role of team leader of operations. Audra writes for the ministry on the fund development team.

February 24, 2022 is a day we will never forget, all of Ukraine was bombed and Russian forces invaded from three sides. Audra, and our children had already left Ukraine. Oleg, in our house outside Kyiv, was soon joined by two other families and in 24 hours they made the decision to flee west. Now our family is located in the US while we wait to return to Ukraine and Oleg continues to serve as team leader of operations and crisis manager. We appreciate your prayers for Ukraine.