Ministering to
Ukrainian Pastors
By Amanda Buck , OMS Europe / Middle East Communications
A few days after Russia invaded Ukraine , OMS missionaries were among the first to cross the Hungary – Ukraine border to provide relief and support to Ukrainians . A small OMS team first entered Ukraine on February 27 , 2022 , carrying a van filled with basic , non-perishable food to be shared with the lines of people waiting at the border to flee from Ukraine . What we didn ’ t know at the time was that this would be the first of many trips . Thanks to our generous OMS supporters , partners , and missionaries , OMS has provided more than 500,000 pounds of food to Ukraine since the war began .
After seeing the great need on our initial trip , our team kicked into high gear , creating a multipronged approach . OMS missionaries from the Europe / Middle East region traveled to the Hungary border to help . At first , the biggest need was helping people safely evacuate Ukraine and navigate their next steps . Translators from the OMS team in Israel , where there is a large Russian and Ukrainian population , were invaluable as they cared for people at the border , offering them assistance and hope in their native tongues . Our missionaries transformed the OMS Ministry Center in Budapest into temporary housing with multiple sleeping cots , a shower , laundry facilities , and even toys and stuffed animals to comfort little ones .
After the initial waves of refugees , Ukraine still desperately needed supplies . We worked alongside national partners in Hungary to create a food order and delivery schedule for six days a week from March to July . After delivering food to our partners in Ukraine , they shared the food , pictured to the right , with cities in need , including
Kharkiv , Bucha , and Mariupol . As the war continues , the need remains great . Several OMS missionaries have returned to Kyiv to minister to their communities by providing physical help , spiritual support , and prayer during this difficult time .
Our focus has narrowed to specifically supporting the network of pastors our OMS Ukraine team works with . Most of these pastors are absolutely worn out . They have been giving everything to their communities for nearly a year , often leaving themselves and their families with nothing . Because they didn ’ t evacuate their homes , choosing instead to stay and serve their communities in the midst of war , they do not qualify for Ukrainian governmental relief and often go without necessities . To fill this gap , OMS has created pastor relief pallets of food and supplies to sustain our network of 320 pastors and their families for a month at a time .
We value your prayers and donations as this war continues . Together , we are the hands and feet of Jesus for those in desperate need .
photo , page 13 : OMS teams work alongside national partners in Hungary to create a food order and delivery system .
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