Evangelicals in Ukraine have been accepted as members of the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) for the first time, following a three-year process. The Ukraine Council of Evangelical Protestant Churches of Ukraine (UCEPC) was formally welcomed into the fold following the EEA’s General Assembly.
The move came following a gradual increase in collaboration between the UCEPC and various European evangelical alliances following its initial involvement in a Hope for Europe event three years ago, according to Evangelical Focus.
The Ukrainian body, which represents around 10,000 churches from a range of backgrounds, including Pentecostal, Baptist, Lutheran and Reformed among others and is based in Kyiv, said in a Facebook post that this is “an important step in the development of international cooperation, shared witness and the protection of religious freedom in Europe and the world.”
UCEPC board member Ivan Rusyn told en that the drawn-out process of joining the EEA has taken place “under the extraordinary circumstances” of Russia’s war against Ukraine and expressed the council’s gratitude to them for their consistent and courageous stance in condemning Russia’s unprovoked aggression and for its comprehensive spiritual, humanitarian and advocacy support for the people of Ukraine.”
He said of joining the body more generally: “The UCEPC is deeply grateful and honored [sic] to join the European Evangelical Alliance. We believe that our deeper partnership will be mutually beneficial for the advancement of evangelical values in society, the defence of religious freedom, and the spreading of God’s word throughout Europe.”
