Thursday, July 19, 2012

It's official!


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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