Planting the Gospel in Fertile Hearts

SGA-Sponsored Church Planters and Their Labors

Vladimir Grishko
SGA-Sponsored Church Planter in Ukraine

The country of Ukraine is known for many things, but agriculture is perhaps its best-known claim to fame, from fertile farms to family gardens teeming with produce. In fact, it’s long been called the “breadbasket” of Europe because of its vast, fruitful fields of rich black soil. Ukraine is still an agricultural powerhouse, but it also leads in another kind of harvest — a harvest of souls. Of all the former Soviet countries, Ukraine allows the most freedom for churches to worship and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Vladimir Grishko labors in several Ukrainian villages each week, both as pastor and missionary church planter. During the summer, regional Baptist leaders sent him out to preach in Sambor, Turets, Drogobichi, Borislav, Skhidnitsya and Lukavitsa, conducting services in the homes of believers. According to Vladimir, ministry to children is a major emphasis …

Peter and Oksana with Pastor Grishko

Every week, believers from the Borislav and Dobromil churches conduct Bible lessons at a boarding school in Dobromil. It was a real joy to us when two young people from this school trusted in Christ. Their names are Peter and Oksana, and they want to enter Bible college after they graduate from the boarding school. We are baptizing some other students from this school as well, for which we praise God!

In Voloshinovo, we have a prayer group and conduct ministry for children and adults. Two have repented, and about 20 people regularly come to our services and fellowship on Saturdays. My daughter, Olena, and my wife, Nadiya, help in this ministry. Nadiya is a nurse and she renders medical aid, with free medicines. People come for medical aid and listen to the Word of God. Please pray for our ministry in this village!

A group of children that participate in the ministry in Voloshinovo

Vladimir also studies at the SGA-sponsored Irpen Biblical Seminary, and at this year’s graduation was able to enjoy fellowship with visiting SGA missionaries Ruth Deyneka Erdel and Nick Leonovich, who accompanied him on visits to the churches in the region. At the end of June, SGA’s Sergei Gladishko accompanied Vladimir on even more ministry visits to Kharkov, Vinnitsa and Poltava. It’s a busy, busy ministry, but Vladimir is more than thankful …

Thank you very much for everything that you’re doing for us. We believe that our Heavenly Father has a special reward for you for your faithful, sacrificial ministry in Ukraine. I praise the Lord for His blessing on our ministry and family!