2023 UBI Graduation in Kyiv
Our first graduation in two years included many new partners we have developed since the beginning of the war
Dear friends,
I know many of you have heard about the recent increase in attacks on Kyiv. Over the last month there have been 17 air raids on the capital. We thank God that Kyiv's missile defense system has been holding strong, but unfortunately falling debris has caused some damage, injuries and, in a few cases, even death.
These attacks started after a relative lull in Kyiv, and they began just two weeks or so before our long-awaited UBI graduation ceremony. We discussed what it would take for us to cancel the celebration, and the decision was made that until "normal life" in Kyiv was disrupted (due to new restrictions or curfews or failures in the defense systems), then we would move forward with our plan.
We praise God that we did because on May 20, we enjoyed a very blessed and important day together.
New Partnerships, New Opportunities
Due to several students stepping away after the war began, we only had three graduates this year—and only two could be with us in person. But we wanted graduation to be an extra special event, and so we invited UBI's many new partners we have made through the humanitarian aid work we have helped sponsor over the last year and a half.
As a reminder, UBI helps coordinate the monthly delivery of grocery packages which are able to feed a family of three for about one month. There are 2200 grocery packages delivered to ministry partners around Ukraine, and from there these local preachers choose how to best distribute them to those in need in their areas.
Over fifty people gathered together from all over Ukraine to mark the occasion, and the partners who were able to make it shared their thanksgiving and stories about how the humanitarian aid provided has been a blessing to their ministries.
"Thanks to this partnership, we have been able to see our congregation in Irpin be reborn and multiplied." (Sergei Shupishov, Irpen)
"...today, thanks to your work, we have people attending on Sundays who are in need of physical help. Praise God because the church is doing what it should be doing – it is giving spiritual help and it is giving real food." (Igor Olefyra, Kharkiv)
"These grocery packages are not just for the refugees. They have also touched our prison ministry—people there are also getting these groceries...People see how God loves them, that He hasn't forgotten about them during this difficult time, and that He helps them as much as possible. And this help is a result of the coordinated work of many people. I always tell people that these food packages don’t just fall from the sky. It’s thanks to the work of many people. It’s thanks to someone else's sacrifice. And I am grateful to Jesus. Amen!" (Victor Shuka, Kyiv)
"...when people come to church to receive physical help, they get an opportunity to receive spiritual help as well. And many people who received help from us–both locals and refugees–continue to attend our church...So, people are listening to sermons and they are beginning to worship God...In truth, for our congregation, this has given us life. It's given us air to breathe...It all became possible thanks to this ministry." (Nazar Semikos, Brovary)
Our theme for the day came from Isaiah 42:16: "...I will turn their darkness before them into light." As each minister shared about their work, we could see the light that was being made in the dark.
We praised God for all He has done during these dark times through his church. We spent time praying for Ukraine, for our graduates, and we had a wonderful time of sharing food and fellowship afterward. It was a blessing for all who attended, and a few commented that it was one of the best graduations UBI has had. In a word, it was a very unifying day.
The Graduates
Because of the war, it's taken our graduates three years to finish their studies at UBI (instead of the normal two). I am so proud of them for remaining dedicated despite the many trials and distractions.
Oleksander
Ivan
Alina
Staff Meeting
My week in Kyiv was the first time I'd been back since my family left in February 2022. It was also the first time the majority of our staff had been in the same place since the war began. Whiles several of us were sitting in our offices, and with others working around the school preparing for graduation, it almost felt like we'd never left.
We got together to share a meal and catch up before we all, once again, scatter across Ukraine and Central Europe. Our lunch included the humanitarian aid delivery team from the Poznyaki congregation—our extended UBI staff. (This team is directed by Natasha Maliuga and mostly includes UBI alumni.)
We spent time catching up and sharing about our lives and families (many of whom are separated because of the conflict). Several shared how their faith has been changed by the war. It was a special afternoon.
The Future of UBI
We also used graduation to talk about the future of UBI as we plan to finally return to a full-time schedule with our students beginning in September (we will still be online, however).
After several years of prayer and discussions, we are ready to make some changes to UBI that will make it a stronger program than ever before. To keep things focused, I will share all those plans in a separate email and send that out on Monday.
Until then…
Thank you all for your fervent prayers for the school and especially our graduation ceremony. We are thankful for a unifying and safe time together. We are thankful for your dedication to the Ukrainian Bible Institute during such a challenging period. Praise God for the family we have in Christ!
—Brandon Price