BEING HUMAN

Introduction: Gratitude for Partnerships in Relief Ministry

Dear friends, it is with a heavy heart yet unwavering hope that we share with you this comprehensive report on the relief ministry carried out by our seminary-based refugee hubs in Ukraine and Moldova during the ongoing Russian war. Over the past 790 days, from March 2022 to March 2024, these hubs have been a beacon of the light of the Gospel amidst the darkness of the ongoing war, providing vital support and assistance to countless individuals affected by the war. Through the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners like you, we have offered a holistic range of services, including evacuation, shelter, food assistance, spiritual support, counseling, and support for IDPs with disabilities. This report offers a detailed look at the scale and impact of our relief efforts, highlighting the challenges we have faced and the resilience we have shown only through and by the grace of God and your prayerful and spiritual support in the face of adversity.

1. Chernivtsi Bible Seminary
2. Dialogue in Action (Peacebuilding Group)
3. Divitiae Gratiae University (Chisinau, Moldova)
4. Eastern European Institute of Theology (Lviv), in collaboration with
   • Bethany Pentecostal Church (Lviv)
   • Central Baptist Church (Lviv)
5. Evangelical Theological University (Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia)
6. Kremenchuk Evangelical Seminary (Kremenchuk)
7. Lviv Theological Seminary (Lviv)
8. MH-Care (Counselors Group)
9. Odesa Theological Seminary (Odesa)
10. Tavriskii Christian Institute (moved from Kherson to Ivano-Frankivsk)
11. Transcarpathian Christian Institute (Khust)
12. Ukrainian Bible Society (Kyiv), in collaboration with formerly NGO “Hope from Heart to Heart,” now the Institute for Trauma Healing
13. Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (Pushcha Voditsa)
14. Zaporizhzhia Bible Seminary (Zaporizhzhia)

Notably, the 14 hubs featured in this report represent only a portion of the seminaries in Ukraine and Moldova. These particular hubs are partners of the Overseas Council-United World Mission, Scholar Leaders, and Langham. However, it is crucial to recognize that more than 20 other seminaries throughout Ukraine and Moldova also serve those in need, providing essential relief and support to people affected by the war. These seminaries (most of them are members of the newly founded International Evangelical Theological Alliance) equally deserve our admiration and support as they work tirelessly to bring hope and healing to their communities, often in partnership with their networks and organizations.

Behind these staggering figures, which represent hundreds of thousands of lives touched by the relief ministry of our seminary-based refugee hubs, lie countless individual faces and stories. Each number represents a unique person, a family, or a community that has been profoundly affected by the ongoing Russian war. These are not mere statistics; they are mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, siblings, and friends who have experienced unimaginable tragedies, losses, and hardships. They have seen their homes destroyed, their loved ones killed or injured, and their lives turned upside down in an instant. Millions have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they have ever known in search of safety and a glimmer of hope. Others have endured the horrors of occupation, witnessing firsthand the atrocities committed by Russian forces.

Yet, amidst the darkness and despair, these individuals have also shown courage and determination. They have clung to their faith, families, and communities, finding strength in the support and compassion offered by our refugee hubs. Through the tireless efforts of our staff, volunteers, and partners, we have sought to restore a sense of dignity and purpose to their lives, offering not only physical assistance but also emotional, spiritual, and psychological support. We recognize that behind each face lies a story of pain, suffering but also one of hope, and the unbreakable human spirit.

The figures presented in this report also testify to the tireless efforts of our partners, such as the Overseas Council-United World Mission and the Scholar Leaders, who have made this relief ministry possible. Many other individuals and partners, like Langham, Connect Int, Overseas Council Europe, Read Ministry, Keys Connection, Send Int, Open Eyes, and others, have supported and contributed to the ministry of our seminary-based refugee hubs, “People of the Bridge” during this ongoing inhuman full-scale war.

As we continue our Bridge Work, we remain committed to honoring these individual stories, to seeing the humanity behind the numbers, and to walking alongside these brave individuals on their journey toward healing, restoration, and the light of the Gospel.

Volunteers’ Engagement in Relief Ministry

Our volunteers have dedicated their time and effort to supporting the relief ministry at the seminary-based refugee hubs. They are crucial in ensuring the hubs’ smooth operation and assisting those in need. Throughout the two years, the number of volunteers has fluctuated, with the highest number recorded in January-March 2024 (548 volunteers) and the lowest in June 2022 (261 volunteers). Despite the challenges, volunteer participation has remained relatively stable, with an average of around 140 volunteers per month. This consistent involvement of volunteers highlights the community’s ongoing commitment to supporting those affected by the war.

• March-April 2022 (50 days) – 310
• May 2022 (90 days) – 512
• June 2022 (120 days) – 261
• July-August 2022 (180 days) – 275
• September-October 2022 (240 days) – 354
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 307
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 277
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 484
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 333
• January-March 2024 (790 days) – 548

Evacuating War-Affected Populations

Our hub teams evacuated 11,556 people from the war-affected areas, ensuring the safety and well-being of those in dangerous situations. The evacuation process is complex and risky, requiring careful planning, coordination, and resources. Challenges include:

• Navigating through active conflict zones;
• Ensuring the security of evacuation routes and teams;
• Providing adequate transportation and support for evacuees.

The highest number of evacuations (9,500 people) occurred in March-April 2022, coinciding with the war’s early stages when the evacuation was most urgent. Evacuations decreased over time, with the lowest number recorded in September-December 2023 (40 people). As the war progressed, fewer people required evacuation services due to stabilizing specific areas and establishing alternative support systems.

• March-April 2022 (50 days)- 9,500
• May 2022 (90 days) – 395
• June 2022 (120 days) – 135
• July-August 2022 (180 days) – 452
• September-October 2022 (240 days) – 296
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 297
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 157
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 212
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 40
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 72

Accommodation of the IDPs and Refugees

The total number of IDPs and refugees who stayed from 2-3 weeks to a year or longer is 9,183. These people have sought shelter at the seminary-based refugee hubs for an extended period because they have lost their houses or apartments and been forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing war and occupation of their accommodations. Providing long-term accommodation and support for IDPs and refugees is very challenging, as it requires substantial financial resources, infrastructure, and ongoing care to meet their diverse needs, including food, healthcare, education, and spiritual-psychosocial support. The number of IDPs and refugees staying for extended periods has varied throughout the two years. The highest number was recorded from November 2022 to February 2023 (2,703 people), while the lowest was observed from January to March 2024 (254 people).

• March-April 2022 (50 days)- 1,120
• May 2022 (90 days) – 1,308
• June 2022 (120 days) – 773
• July-August 2022 (180 days) – 827
• September-October 2022 (240 days) – 461
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 2,703
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 1,004
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 457
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 276
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 254

The total number of IDPs and refugees who stayed from 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks is 46,467. These people may have been in transit, seeking temporary shelter before moving on to other locations in Ukraine or abroad. Providing short-term assistance is also challenging, as it requires a rapid response from thousands of people to meet their immediate needs, such as food, shelter, and medical care while ensuring their smooth transition to longer-term support in Ukraine or abroad. The number of short-term stays has been relatively high throughout the two years, with the highest number recorded in March-April 2022 (16,219 people) and the lowest in September-October 2022 (301 people). The number of short-term stays also highlights the critical role of our seminary hubs in providing immediate relief and support to those displaced by the war, even for a brief period.

• March-April 2022 (50 days) – 16,219
• May 2022 (90 days) – 11,047
• June 2022 (120 days) – 1,678
• July-August 2022 (180 days) – 10,521
• September-October 2022 (240 days) – 301
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 3,351
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 525
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 1,196
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 1,233
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 396

Addressing Food Insecurity

The total number of IDPs served with food boxes and packages is 595,028. Access to food is a basic necessity, and our hubs have played a vital role in ensuring that displaced individuals they have taken care of have enough to eat during these challenging times. Providing food assistance on a large scale is logistically complex, requiring efficient procurement, storage, distribution systems, and partnerships with local suppliers, organizations, and churches. The highest number was recorded in July-August 2022 (133,950 people), while the lowest was observed in June-August 2023 (32,254 people).

• March-April 2022 (50 days) – 63,200
• May 2022 (90 days) – 35,566
• June 2022 (120 days) – 57,900
• July-August 2022 (180 days) – 133,950
• September-October 2022 (240 days) – 54,405
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 60,977
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 63,096
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 32,254
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 48,641
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 45,039

Tons of Support

The hubs delivered 5,982 tons of supplies to the front lines and liberated territories. It is about 230 tonnes a month, or 8 tonnes daily, for 790 days of the ongoing full-scale war. These supplies include food, medical equipment, hygiene products, and other essential items needed in war-affected areas. Delivering supplies to the front lines and liberated territories is also highly challenging, as it involves navigating through active combat zones, dealing with damaged infrastructure, and ensuring the safety and security of the delivery volunteers and needy people. The highest amount was recorded in May 2022 (888 tons), while the lowest amount was observed in June 2022 (296 tons).

• March-April 2022 (50 days) – 560
• May 2022 (90 days) – 888
• June 2022 (120 days) – 296
• July-August 2022 (180 days) – 879
• September-October 2022 (240 days) – 424
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 862
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 719
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 376
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 527
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 451

Distributing Bibles

The total number of Bibles distributed among the IDPs, civilians and soldiers in the war zones, and Ukrainian refugees in several European Union countries is about 1,049,881. The distribution of Bibles is essential to the hubs’ spiritual support and ministry of spiritually starving people, providing hope and comfort, especially to those affected by the ongoing war. The highest number of Bibles distributed was recorded in November 2022-February 2023, and September-December 2023 (181,800 and 156,065 Bibles, respectively). Our seminary-based hubs are committed to meeting not only the physical needs of those we serve but also the spiritual needs of the IDPs, refugees, civilians, and soldiers, offering a source of strength and resilience during these dark times.

• March – October 2022 (240 days) – about 400,000
• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 181,800
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 103,378
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 125,900
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 126,065
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 112,738

Short-Term Counseling and Emotional Support

The total number of people who have sought short-term counseling and psychological-emotional support (at least one hour of conversation with a counselor, pastor, volunteer, or church minister) from the seminary-based refugee hubs is 71,690. It includes those soldiers and civilians who were in Russian captivity and children, teenagers, and women raped by the Russian soldiers. The level of trauma and stress experienced by those affected by the war has a significant long-term impact on their (and our) mental health. The hubs have recognized the importance of providing this type of support, although it requires trained Christian professionals, appropriate facilities, and culturally sensitive approaches to address the diverse needs of the affected population. The highest number was recorded in September-December 2023 (21,208 people). Unfortunately, we did not track these figures from March through October 2022. The consistent need for this type of support (at least 100 people every single day from the beginning of the full-scale war) underscores the war’s profound impact on the mental well-being of those affected and the critical role of the hubs in addressing these needs.

• November 2022 – February 2023 (365 days) – 9,279
• March-May 2023 (460 days) – 14,835
• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 18,226
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 21,208
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 8,142

From Hubs to Churches

The number of people and IDPs who have become members of local evangelical churches through their interaction with the seminary-based refugee hubs is 3,877 (about 400 people a month, or about ten people a day). The hubs’ ministry not only provides physical and emotional support but also offers an opportunity for spiritual growth and connection with local evangelical churches. Integrating IDPs and refugees into local churches is challenging, as it requires overcoming cultural (West and East of Ukraine), linguistic (Russian and Ukrainian languages), and social (more entrepreneur in the West, and more industrial in the East) barriers, as well as ensuring that the churches and pastors are equipped to meet the specific needs of these new members. The growth in church membership suggests that the hubs have effectively introduced individuals to local churches, providing a sense of belonging and support during these challenging times. The highest number was recorded in June-August 2023 (1,513 people). Unfortunately, we did not track these figures from March 2022 through May 2023.

• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 1,513
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 1,212
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 1,152

Supporting IDPs with Disabilities

The number of IDPs with disabilities who have received support from the seminary-based refugee hubs is 5,041. Since people with disabilities are often among the most vulnerable during armed conflicts, our hubs have recognized the importance of providing specialized assistance to meet their various specific needs. This requires accessible facilities, trained staff, and tailored services to address their specific physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments and ensure their full participation and inclusion in the relief efforts. The highest number was recorded in June-August 2023 (2,235 people). Unfortunately, we did not track these figures from March 2022 through May 2023.

• June-August 2023 (550 days) – 2,235
• September-December 2023 (700 days) – 734
• January-March 2024 (800 days) – 2,072

Conclusion: Recognition of God’s Faithfulness

As we reflect on the extensive relief efforts undertaken by our seminary-based refugee hubs, we want to emphasize that our intention is not to boast about our accomplishments. Rather, we humbly acknowledge that this work is a service carried out by the Body of Christ as a whole. Every individual who has contributed to this ministry, whether through financial donations, volunteering their time and skills, or risking their lives daily to serve those in need, is a vital part of this collective effort.

We firmly believe that all glory and praise should be directed to the Lord, who has guided, strengthened, and sustained us throughout this challenging journey. It is through His grace and provision that we have been able to make a difference in the lives of so many. If we are to boast about anything, let it be this: that through our experiences and interactions with those we serve, we have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Father’s heart. We have witnessed His compassion, love, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of His children, even in the darkest of times. This profound realization has transformed our perspective and has motivated us to continue our work with renewed faith, humility, and dedication. As the “People of the Bridge,” we stand united in our desire to be instruments of God’s love and healing in a world torn apart by conflict and suffering.

As we conclude this report, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our partners for your unwavering support through prayer and financial contributions. Your generosity has enabled our theological seminaries in Ukraine and Moldova to continue their vital work during these challenging times. We are incredibly thankful for your solidarity and commitment to walking alongside the Church in Ukraine as we navigate the complexities of this ongoing full-scale war, fulfilling the Mission that has not changed. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support have been a lifeline, enabling us to continue our Mission of serving the most vulnerable and bringing the love and light of Christ to those who need it most. As we press on in our work, we draw strength from your partnership and the knowledge that, together, we can make a meaningful Kingdom difference in the lives of those affected by this inhuman, terrible war and be united as the Body of Christ.

We also invite you to watch our events “Evangelical Voices from Ukraine” (https://bit.ly/Voices4Ukraine):

1. The Russia-Ukraine War: Evangelical Voices (March 17, 2022)
2. The Russia-Ukraine War: Women Voices (March 31, 2022)
3. The Russia-Ukraine War: Evangelical Voices – 300 Days of War (December 22, 2022)
4. The Russia-Ukraine War: Moral Leadership in Times of Crisis (February 23, 2024)

We want to invite you to consider supporting the ministry of the seminary-based refugee hubs in Ukraine through “Ukraine Refugees Assistance”: https://uwm.org/projects/48505.

Taras M. Dyatlik, Ukraine
(local coordinator of the PURE)