I just wanted to thank all of you for reading our posts,
praying for us, and financially supporting us as we were in Ukraine the last
month. Just looking back over all our blog posts, all I can do is praise God
and thank Him for His faithfulness and the faithfulness of all of you, our
brothers and sisters in Christ. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord!
So as you know, this last month was a time for Emily and I
to travel in Ukraine, visiting ministries, churches, and missionaries. We were
calling this our “scouting trip” as we sought after the Lord’s will concerning
our future in Ukraine. God’s timing and faithfulness was so perfect. He brought
us into contact with the people and churches that He wanted us to see. God has
confirmed in our hearts that it is His will for us to move to Ukraine and
become full-time missionaries!
So here are the details:
Where: Ternopil,
Ukraine
Ternopil is a city in Western Ukraine, population 218,000.
Ternopil is 75 miles east of the cultural capital of Ukraine, Lviv. Ternopil is
about 150 miles from the Polish border.
When: Mid-September
to October
We are aiming to make the move sometime this fall. Earliest
being mid-September and for sure before the end of October. The timing of our
move depends on Visas and funding.
What: Ministering
alongside Calvary Chapel Ternopil (http://ternopil.golgofa.com.ua/)
We will be working closely alongside Calvary Chapel
Ternopil. At the start of things, our main focus of ministry will be student
ministry and learning the language. This will include elementary through university
students, including orphans. We hope to use the English language, sports, and
music as a primary way to reach out to the students. Our goals and vision for student ministry in Ternopil
include:
·
Bible studies for the university students in the
dorms
·
Weekly teaching and worship for youth (I have a
vision to start a youth group at the church)
·
Children’s ministry on Sundays
·
Orphanage outreaches (sports, camps, music, etc)
·
Local sports/park outreach
·
English clubs/schools
As well as student ministry we are planning to simply plug
into the church and serve with evangelism, worship, support of other Calvary’s
in Western Ukraine, and any other needs that arise.
We really feel called to Ternopil and to come alongside the
church there because their vision is also the vision we have. Ultimately, they
are a sending church and there is a huge need for Protestant, Evangelical,
Bible-teaching churches in Western Ukraine. Emily and I have always had the
idea of church planting on our hearts as we have pursed moving to Ukraine.
Depending on how the Lord leads, we have the vision of planting a church in
Ukraine after a few years of ministering in Ternopil, and once we have the language
learned.
Needs: Prayer and
finances
Since there are currently no opportunities for employment in
Ukraine at this point, we have to raise 100% of our financial needs. Our
projected monthly budget is $2500. This includes:
·
Rent
·
Utilities
·
Food
·
Healthcare/insurance
·
Transportation
·
Ministry expenses
·
Furlough every 12-18 months
We continue to ask you for your faithful prayer and support
of us and the ministry in Ukraine.
"How
then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe
in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15
If the Lord leads you to financially support us, please give
through Shepherd's Staff Missions Facilitators at http://www.shepsstaff.org/Johnson.aspx (Please note that you can
make a onetime gift or give monthly. Your gift is tax deductible).
Emily and I are so excited to see how the Lord is moving in Ukraine.
We feel so blessed to be a part of it and we hope you are blessed as well as
you hear how the Lord is moving, ministering, and saving people all across the
globe.
Blessings,
Byron and Emily
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