In a remote section of Ukraine, there is a church planter who was given responsibility to take a tiny church that was in danger of extinction and replant it. We’ll call him “E”. The church is off life-support and although small, like many village churches, it is vibrant. Pastor E has the ability to motivate others to love and good deeds. So when I heard that he was helping to lead an effort to get the local farmers to donate their potatoes for people who were more affected by the war than they were, I was not surprised. In fact, before I went to visit a church planter one Sunday in 2023, I stopped by E’s town so he could load up my car with potatoes to take to the church in Pokrovsk as pictured here.
Russia’s bombs turned this five-story apartment/condo building in Pokrovsk last year into a four-story condemned building. A friend’s church was previously on the first floor.
When I heard that E wanted to begin a bakery that would employ war refugees and also give them the ability to make bread for areas more affected by the war than they were, I gave E a call. My job description since the war started was enhanced to facilitating church planting and humanitarian outreach. This project checked both of these boxes.
However, there were more boxes that needed checking. Is the local church invested in this project materially? Is there a business plan? Is there a history of the church being involved with a similar ministry (or is this a ministry that the church wants to do only if a significant western sponsor is found)? Will the church be able to continue the ministry after it is set-up? What are the contingency plans? Evacuation plans? Is there a suitable location? In short, there were many questions that had to be answered satisfactorily before WorldVenture’s, Ukraine Relief Fund, would be able to contribute for equipment. Fortunately, the pastor had done his homework. They had even obtained generators to keep production going in the event of the all-too-frequent blackouts that have plagued Ukraine this year.
There was one thing unresolved when a last minute issue necessitated the change of location to a piece of land on the outskirts of town. A building had to be built to house the bakery. Using their own funds, a foundation was quickly dug and laid. When the foundation had cured sufficiently, a wood-frame building was quickly put up. “Send me some pictures,” I asked. When I saw the pictures, I realized our brother in Christ needed some help.
I am not a professional builder, but I have done a fair amount of it. I could see that E’s framing needed help. “Don’t put any walls on yet. I’ll be there Monday.” I went to the local “Home Depot” (not really Home Depot), and spent several hundred dollars on a cordless drill, bits, screws, and assorted metal brackets.
I spent two days reinforcing the framework until I felt like my arms were no longer attached to my body. Before leaving, I consulted with him about the areas that needed further reinforcing, and then drove the four hours back to Kyiv. This was very necessary and something that I could not have done to safeguard the WorldVenture Ukraine Relief Fund‘s investment if I was not in Ukraine. So I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve on site.
When the building was complete, we were able to get the bakery outfitted. Then they began to bake, and bake, and bake some more. They baked brown bread, and white bread. They baked rolls and croissants. Some of their bread was taken to stores and kiosks for sale, but at least twice a week they bake twice as much. On these days the bread is taken to villages closer to the front, where people hear the good news about the Bread of Life. These events are in partnership with local pastors who follow up on the recipients of this delicious and wholesome bread. The bread shown here is actually going to Ukrainians in need.
The WorldVenture Ukraine Relief Fund has been utilized not just to help Ukrainians in their hour of need, but to help Ukrainians help Ukrainians. Because of this project, both physical and spiritual needs are being met. Beth and I hope you enjoy the collage below! If you liked this project, and want to continue helping Ukraine, you may click any of the three mentions of the relief fund in this article to visit WorldVenture’s website.
Eric Yodis 