Newfrontiers Ukraine Fund Update
In this week’s blog, I thought you'd like to see a recent update written for the Newfrontiers website about the progress of the Newfrontiers Ukraine Fund. I know many of you at King’s have contributed towards this, and it's encouraging to hear how the money is being used. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your generous response. Let’s continue to pray for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, and for all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
It is hard to believe that over a year has passed since the launch of the Newfrontiers Ukraine Fund (facilitated by our good friends in Catalyst), and I wanted to extend a personal heartfelt thanks for the astonishing generosity put on display by churches and individuals across our global family.
To date a staggering 1.5 million pounds has been raised!
Just under half the fund (£700,000) has now been allocated, helping to fund immediate relief efforts across Ukraine, administered by local churches and trusted partners on the ground, who have been quick to set up refugee housing, food programs, kids clubs, distribution centres and more.
The fund has strengthened refugee outreach and ongoing support being offered by local churches and charities in Poland, Romania, Bosnia, Croatia, Moldova and beyond. It has enabled tonnes of food, clothing and essential supplies to be delivered to those facing the most abject need, as well as fuel, batteries and generators, which have helped keep people warm over a cold winter.
In the short video below, Andrey Bondarenko, one of our Ukrainian leaders and a part of the Newfrontiers Together Team, shares about a refugee shelter set up in September, in the West of Ukraine, which has provided emergency accommodation for over 1000 individuals, and now provides ongoing support for 60 guests, including many elderly people, and those with disabilities.
It’s a story repeated in Uzhgorod (Ukraine), where a local hotel now shelters refugees, in Kraków (Poland) where a warehouse was adapted, at pace, for the same purpose, and in Brașov (Romania) where a church’s building project changed tack mid-build to create space to host sixty guests.
It is local churches, our brothers-and-sisters in Christ, that have initiated this outreach to the vulnerable, and they that have provided the backbone for these initiatives. What a privilege to partner with them, and strengthen the great work of churches and believers on the ground!
One of the unexpected joys of the past year has been seeing brand new bonds established between churches across our global family, and the strengthening of existing ones — the generous response to ongoing crises in Ukraine, and to earthquake relief in Southern Turkey/Northern Syria, strengthening our conviction that we can do more together.
Over the past year, church teams (from across the Newfrontiers spheres) have initiated the convoy of provisions, and these in-person journeys have forged lifelong friendships between churches and teams. Thank you to all who have reached out in this way!
The fund has enabled the purchase of multiple vehicles, allowing the onward journey of essential supplies into the hardest-hit areas, and the safe travel of refugees within, and across, borders.
What now?
The ripple-effects of this devastating war are now felt across the globe, and the level of need continues to climb. It was always our intention to spread spending so that, after an initial surge, we would be able to invest in longer-term support and rebuilding.
Our heart is to continue supporting those who have stayed, as they reach out in the context of ongoing risk and instability, as well as to invest in those who have left Ukraine and now face the arduous task of starting afresh.
Church planting is not easy at the best of times, yet over the past 12 months, 12 new church plants have been established by next-generation Ukrainian leaders (most in the West of Ukraine or in nearby European nations). These gospel communities want to be international in flavour, and aim to reach local communities, as well as those facing the pain of resettlement.
It is deeply humbling to work alongside leaders who, having lost their homes and livelihoods, are now refocussing their efforts on becoming a mighty blessing across the continent of Europe.
Join us in thanking God for the faithful witness of our friends and partners in the gospel, and do continue to pray for our dear friends.
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in all our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4
Please pray:
• For energy, encouragement and continued resources to strengthen those churches and believers reaching out to vulnerable communities within Ukraine.
• For next-generation leaders establishing church plants within Ukraine, and in neighbouring countries, that God would grant wisdom and favour as believers put down roots.
• For families separated by war, that God would preserve marriages and relationships and that families would be reunited.
• For an end to this devastating conflict, and the restoration of all impacted by it.
Once again, thank you for the generosity, prayer and support you continue to offer at this difficult time.
Steve Tibbert
Newfrontiers Together Team
