How You Can Shape the Future

The future is created by sacrifice, generosity and faith in God. You can shape the future of Ukraine.

In April 2024, I was invited to teach a modular course at Lviv Theological seminary in Ukraine. I taught most of the students described in the following profiles. Each one explained how God can use their lives to bring hope to Ukraine during the war. And especially after the war.

Seminary students April 2024; the translator is to my right; Ivan is back row on my left and Diana is the young lady in black on the left end of the front row.

You’ll see that all of them are involved with churches, orphan ministry, seniors, refugee compassion, or worship ministry while they study. They also share a common need.

Ivan Lipovoy

I’m 20 years old, from Vesele in the Zaporizhzhia region. Sadly, my village is currently under Russian occupation. In February of 2022 the Russian army occupied our homes and took our happy childhood. We escaped to Lviv and my family lived in Lviv theological seminary for two years as refugees.

I gave my heart to Jesus at a Christian camp. My first ministry role at church was simple: I helped my pastor with repairs around the church building. Later, when the church began hosting children’s camps, I jumped at the chance to help, especially since it was in the same camp where I was saved. I worked in the kitchen, happy to serve. Today, I preach at different churches, serve in a ministry for orphans, and assist with media ministry at a local church.

Due to the war my mother is unable to pay for my tuition. I also have four younger siblings, and my stepfather has left our family. Despite these challenges, I dream of becoming a faithful and effective minister of God. Lviv Seminary is the best place for me to pursue this calling.

Vlad Lysiak

I’m 23 years old and currently in my third year at seminary. I come from the Khmelnytskyi region in Western Ukraine. Throughout school and college, I studied economics. I was a good student, but I eventually felt called to change my life’s direction toward social ministry and theology. My parents cannot pay for my education because it is war in Ukraine and many factories are closed.

I’ve had a passion for the Bible ever since I learned to read at age five, and I’ve always loved God’s Word. I began preaching when I was 17, and I actively look forward to a revival in Christianity, when the Gospel will reach the farthest corners of the earth. My dream is to be an evangelical preacher. I know this is my call from Lord.

This summer, we went on a two-week mission trip to a small church, and I ended up staying for the entire summer. It was a wonderful and I gained a lot of valuable experience.

Diana Kiliychuck

I’m 18 years old. I live in the Transkarpattia region with my parents and two brothers. I have been a Christian since childhood and regularly attended church with my mom. Unfortunately, my father does not share our faith, but I hold onto the hope that he will come to know Jesus one day. It is not easy to be evangelical Christian when just mom in family accept my beliefs. My mother does not have a job and I cannot pay my study fees in seminary. I’m currently in my second year at the seminary.

In my church, I assist with the children’s ministry and help clean the church building. I have a good singing voice and hope to develop my musical talents further.

I chose to attend the seminary because I want to grow spiritually among fellow young Christians like myself  and I hope to discover my calling here. There’s nothing I desire more than to serve God and the people of Ukraine!

David Hryhoryev

20 years old from Odesa. I come from a family of six children. Sadly, my father passed away, leaving my mother to care for my younger siblings on her own. Due to war time, she had to flee the country as a refugee with my siblings, and they are now in other country.

I gave my life to Jesus when I was 15. At my church, I’m actively involved—I help manage the sound system, preach, and play the guitar. In the summer of 2023, I began feeling called to start a ministry for teenagers. After discussing it with my pastor, he encouraged me to pursue formal theological education at Lviv Theological Seminary.

This is my second year at the seminary. I have received so much practical experience here over the past year. My favourite part is music ministry and visiting orphans, bringing them Jesus and His love. After completing my studies, I plan to return to my church and dedicate myself to the teenagers’ ministry. My long-term goal is to become a deacon and eventually a pastor.

Vitaliy Ihnatushko

21 years old. I live in Poltava region, East of Ukraine where Russian missiles often strike. I lost my father, when I was a little child, and most of my life, my mother raised us, her 6 children, alone. It was tough financially, but we were loved and cared for. It is not easy to live without of finances. I had mini stroke but withour of medicine is hard. I have high blood pressure and seminary helped me to buy medicine.

In my childhood, I met Christians and participated in Christian summer camps. I liked being around them. When I was a teenager, I was asked to help in a summer camp, and that was when I felt change happening in my heart.

I pray and seek the Lord’s presence all the time. I just start to understand what Christianity is. At the seminary, I want to learn more about Christianity and find my calling for ministry. I think that I would like to be missionary.

Christina Maniakina

18 years old. I lived in Donetsk region (Eastern Ukraine) with my parents and brother, but since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we were forced to move to a safer place. Entering the seminary, I also found a new home, because I have nowhere else to go now. My parents live in one of the Lviv churches.

I was 8, when the war first began in Donbas in 2014, so I know very little about a peaceful life.

The seminary is where I can study and practice ministry. Because I know that I am called to serve people. In the first days of the full-scale invasion so many people left our town, but so many stayed. The children needed at least a little bit of happiness in their lives so, we started serving them by organizing day-time camps. Sometimes we had to hide in the bomb shelter, sometimes we heard explosions all around, but we kept serving.

And this is what I want to do – serve people.

Pavlo Donchenko

20 years old from Poltava region, Eastern Ukraine. It is not far from the war zone. We often are under attack.

My childhood was not a happy one, for my parents were alcoholics. They often beat me and my siblings. Social workers wanted to take us away from them to the orphanage, so then my grandmother adopted us. My grandmother was the one who brought me to Jesus.

I am a responsible person. In my church, I help with children’s ministry, but I feel that God is calling me to be a pastor. This is why I need the seminary. I want to know more about God, His Word, people and ministry. I am so glad to have this opportunity to study here.

My grandparents cannot afford paying for my education.

Ruslan Myakota

I’m from the Donetsk region in Eastern Ukraine. My hometown, Hirnyk, has recently been occupied by Russian forces. We do not have a home now, everything is destroyed. My parents are unbelievers, and I have one brother.

I have been a believer since childhood and was baptized before the war.

It was my uncle who informed me about the seminary. Since I have a desire to preach, I decided to enroll here. I realized that to become an effective preacher, I needed a solid foundation of knowledge. I’m currently in my second year at the seminary, and I can honestly say this is one of the best times of my life. I’m learning so many new things that I can practice in churches and local orphanages while serving children.

Tymofiy Samoylovskikh

20 years old from the Poltava region, Eastern Ukraine. I’m now in my third year at Lviv Theological Seminary. I’ve played soccer professionally, but after finishing school, I felt called to pursue theological education instead.

Unfortunately, I’m unable to afford my tuition due to my family’s financial difficulties. For several years, we’ve faced significant hardships. One of my sisters struggled as a mother, and to prevent her son from going into an orphanage, my parents adopted him. This added to our financial strain. Then, my father suffered a stroke and is now bedridden, so my mother has to care for him and my younger siblings, leaving her unable to work.

At church, I’m involved in children’s and youth ministries, and I also preach and participate in street evangelism. This past summer, I dedicated all my time to helping at Christian summer camps.

Veronika Holoviy

20 years old and have 11 siblings. We live in a small village close to the Belarus border. With the war, the situation became even worse. We live in a constant danger of invasion from Belarus.

My personal encounter with Jesus happened 3 years ago. In my church, I am involved in several ministries. I bake bread for soldiers, sing in a choir, and visit the sick with our youth group. When my older sister studied at Lviv Theological Seminary, she told me a lot about it. So, I felt a great desire to go there too. I feel that I need more knowledge in Bible studies, and I want to have closer relationship with God.

And I hope that I will find my calling here as well.

Help Create The Future

Did one of these stories stand out to you? Each one of these students shares a common need: assistance to pay their tuition fees. The cost of tuition is $750 CAN. That amount covers housing, meals, books, and tuition for a year. That’s about 1/20th of what tuition would be in Canada. Generous Canadians are investing in their future.

Jocelyn and I are covering Ivan’s tuition this year. And on behalf of the women in our family, Jocelyn is investing in opportunity for women by covering Diana’s tuition.

You can support a young leader this December by donating at AMIGO RELIEF MISSIONS operated by our friend Dennis Scraba. Dennis and I were at the seminary in April 2024. 100% of your donation will go to support one of these students. Indicate the name of the student on your donation.

You can give a portion of a student’s tuition. Designate the student’s name with your donation. Thank you. Thank you.