Report #7—April 6, 2019

The Above Photo: Spencer Ross, John, David Hamrick at the Ivano-Frankivsk Airport

Two years ago, we were faced with the question of how best to teach the gospel in western Ukraine and eventually reach into the nearby nations. There was no biblical institute teaching in Ukrainian (the language used is western Ukraine). Russian is spoken but, in the west, there has always been suspicion of Russian speakers and with Russia’s invasion and occupation of pockets of eastern Ukraine this suspicion has only intensified. Any successful outreach to the general population needs to be in Ukrainian.

Adding to this need for outreach was the fact that Ivan and the brethren in the Ivano-Frankivsk Church knew the congregation needed to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible. About this time I reconnected with David Hamrick and heard the wonderful training program that World Bible Institute (WBI) is developing in many nations (http://www.worldbibleinstitute.com/). The emphasis is not only on providing a critical in-depth Bible knowledge but also developing vocational skills by which the preacher graduates with a working skill as Paul, Aquilla and Priscilla did with their tent making vocations (Acts 18:3).

WBI is also the only Bible Institute affiliated with the Church that offers a valid educational diploma issued by the State of Georgia, USA (Others simply offer a “certificate”). The objective is very simple—train the preachers and give them workable skills so they are not dependent upon American money.

Prior to coming to Ukraine, David had visited the locations in the Philippines and was very excited about how the program’s objectives are being realized there.

We began the Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine extension two-years ago. As with all start-ups there have been some missteps but things are progressing very well. There is, and will always be room for improvement, but in May the first graduation class will be honored with diplomas.

During this week Spencer and David have been busy in teaching and meetings with Ivan who is the Director of the WBI/I-F extension. We have gone over the anticipated financial needs and added some and deleted some categories. The curriculum has been set. The schedule for visiting teachers is roughed in and Spencer is looking to fill in the names of those instructors. The work is encouraging and anticipation that through this school many will go out better prepared to explain God’s Holy Word not only in western Ukraine but in the other nations that are geographically close to Ivano-Frankivsk! Be sure to read of the extensions involved in this good work: http://www.worldbibleinstitute.com/index.php/extension-branches

It was really good to spend time with David and Spencer. It is really good to spend the hours of Bible study and fellowship with the congregation here. I am seeing new faces and that is always encouraging.

Ivan told me that he has been told by the landlord that the rent on the rooms which the Church uses will be increased by 10% beginning immediately. The storage/distribution center is full of commodities being distributed but even if the meeting room there was empty it would not be large enough for all to assemble. Thankfully the larger building had so much construction completed last year that it is possible to finish construction to the point where the Church can begin using that as its meeting place. Of course, this will depend upon funding because are building on a pay-go basis. I will send out more information on this soon.

We continue meeting and discussing the Kyiv Corruption issue. All through this week I have been in constant communication with a number of contacts inside the Ukrainian governing structure. I am delighted that more and more significant contacts and conversations are developing. I appreciate the sincere concern that these demonstrate and I appreciate their compassion for their fellow-citizens and their perspective regarding the Lord God Almighty. Hopefully we will soon hear some good news on these issues. I continue stressing that suspensions of shipping benevolent containers into Ukraine remains and we are redirecting commodities to other countries who eagerly receive and quickly release the commodities for distribution. BUT this suspension can be instantly removed once there is a firm demonstration that the TASK GROUP is no longer in control of and in any way connected to humanitarian aid that we ship into Ukraine. For those reading I want to post the following facts regarding this issue (these are facts that will not go away and must be answered):

I am eagerly looking forward to the Lord’s Day assembly tomorrow! Pray for our on-going efforts!

John L. Kachelman, Jr.

Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine