She helped us learn Ukrainian phrases in preparation for our seven-week summer mission and now Olya is pursuing her own unique mission calling.
Her story will inspire you.
A guest post from Olya Dubyniul
The Journey Begins
Three years ago, I could never have imagined being where I am today. I had just fled the war in Ukraine after my hometown, Kharkiv, was bombed. With small, faith-filled steps, I followed what I believed was God’s call. And together with my friend Masha and her family, God brought me to Canada. Stephen and Patti Hertzog gave me incredible support (spoiler alert: they became my second family, and now I call them my Canadian Parents!). In September of 2022 I started my studies in Vanguard College in Edmonton, AB. I became rooted in His Word and equipped for the path He had already prepared.
One year ago, June of 2024 I was preparing to leave for my first two-month ministry trip to Israel. It didn’t feel like a mission, it felt like I had stepped into what God had been preparing me for all of my life. I got to serve alongside wonderful godly workers, had fallen in love with the land and people, and left with a dream and a prayer to return long-term.
A New Season
Fast forward to today—I’m so excited to share that I’ve officially stepped into a new season as a Global Worker with PAOC Mission Global! Just days before being approved, I graduated from Vanguard College with a degree in Pastoral Ministry. None of this would have been possible without the support and generosity of Canadian churches and individuals, thank you! On April 30th, just four days after graduation, I received the joyful news of my approval as a Global Worker, with Israel as my long-term destination. Visas and wars are current barriers to work through, but God’s timing is perfect, and this is just the beginning!
Right after being approved I headed straight to Ukraine, my homeland, for my first assignment. I had the joy of translating for my Regional Director, Stephen Hertzog (a.k.a. my Canadian dad!) as he taught at Lviv Theological Seminary.
Connected Youth
We met students who had escaped occupied territories in the East, and others living dangerously close to the Belarus border in the West. Yet, their faith is bold, their hearts are on fire and their lives are filled with a desire to serve. I can’t wait to share more stories in my first ministry update coming soon. One of my dreams is to see Ukrainian and Canadian youth more connected – because experiencing the global Church is one of the greatest blessings of following Jesus!
My heart longs to return to Israel long-term and serve the people there. I truly believe this is where God is calling me to plant roots and pour out my life. Last summer, I had the incredible opportunity to meet and work alongside two remarkable families of Global Workers, who are faithfully ministering among Russian-speaking Jewish communities and the broader international population.
Russian Speaking People in Israel
They are doing something very strategic: reaching a group that shares a common heart language – Russian. Many people don’t realize this, but Russian is the third most spoken language in Israel, after Hebrew and Arabic. That’s because nearly a million Jews from post-Soviet countries now call Israel home, and Russian remains a key part of their daily lives.
Despite the large Russian-speaking community, the evangelical presence in Israel is very small. Here’s a glimpse of the current reality:
- Only about 0.7% of Israel’s population identifies as evangelical Christian. That’s around 70,000 people in a nation of over 9 million.
- Christians overall make up between 1.3–1.9% of the population.
- Among Russian-speaking Jews (approximately 1,000,000+ people), only 3.5% identify as Christian (with the vast majority as traditional Orthodox), and about 10,000/15,000 are Messianic Jews — just 1% of that group.
Meeting with Olya and Vadim and Tanya and Nazar in St Albert.
Children’s Camps
Since the war began in Ukraine in 2022, many Ukrainian Jews fled to Israel, seeking refuge from violence. They faced with yet another war in Israel shortly after settling into a new life, . These families found themselves living through two traumatic conflicts, within just two years.
And yet, God wants to meet them in their pain through His Church. The families I mentioned above responded with radical love: distributing food and care packages, offering encouragement, listening ears, and the peace of Christ. They even organized a children’s camp in 2023, and in 2024. I had the joy and privilege of serving alongside them at their second camp.
That experience marked me deeply.
I watched children hear the Gospel, some for the very first time, the simple but life-changing truth that: God loves them. Jesus died for them. I’ve seen soul encounters for young hearts in desperate need of hope and security.
The Need
The number of Christian leaders – especially those who speak Russian – is very small. And these new believers need discipleship. They need someone to teach them, walk with them, and equip them for life in God’s Kingdom – right there, in the Land of Israel. I’m so grateful that God has equipped me to speak multiple languages—Ukrainian, Russian, and English. That’s why I believe God is calling me to go – to reach, to serve, to disciple, and to grow alongside the people He is drawing to Himself, using the tools He is already given me.
With Olya, Steve Hertzog, Vadim and Tanya at a prayer gathering in Edmonton.
Would you prayerfully consider joining my monthly support team or giving a one-time gift?
Your generosity makes it possible for me to:
- Minister to kids and youth
- Equip new believers
- Help bridge cultures and languages with the love of Christ
You may never meet these families face-to-face, but your support will touch their lives forever as it touches mine.
You can support Olya here.
Thank you.
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