90% of people in Ukraine consider them-selves Orthodox Christians, but they mostly go to church only at Easter and Christmas. Less than 2% are evangelicals. Many people are suspicious of evangelical churches as they have been told that it is a dangerous cult. Evangelical churches on the eastern border face serious persecution, too.
Ukrainians are desperate to learn English and running English language courses in churches has been very strategic. For people to cross the door of an evangelical church is a huge deal, but with these classes they are coming in, and they need Christ more than they need English.
Using Life Explored in English with Ukrainian subtitles works well because people learn the language and learn about Christianity simultaneously. Life Explored is excellent because non-Christians – and especially the younger generation – find it easy to relate to the good news of Jesus through it. The high-quality films are another major hook.
Although many who come are Orthodox and have a rudimentary belief in God, they find the idea one can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ mind boggling. They are so surprised. Some local churches haven’t felt equipped to follow up the many people who have signed up with church courses. The plan is to train church members themselves to use Life Explored with them.
But the encouragements are real. There is work taking place in every region in Ukraine and there is an established network of leaders who are now providing resources and training to their local churches. The Ukrainian translation of Life Explored, which can be used as a follow-up programme for people who do not know any English, is nearly complete. This will make it even easier to reach the nation with the desperately-needed gospel of Jesus.
