In February 2022 Joshua Seale requested that the HBC congregation should pray for the developing situation in Ukraine (link). At that time, hostilities were still a threat; now, nine months later, the threat has become a devastating reality. Joshua is one of the trustees of the Dnipro Hope Mission (DHM) which is bringing relief to areas in the east of Ukraine. Here he offers an update on DHM’s recent activities.
Our vision at DHM is to help make the Kingdom of God a visible reality in Ukraine. Aiming to respond to the suffering we witnessed in Eastern Ukraine and to empower faithful Christian people in Ukraine, a group of friends from the UK came together to establish Dnipro Hope Mission, which was registered as a UK charity in early 2018.
Since that time, our mission has developed as our relationships have deepened and expanded across several locations. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Dnipro Hope Mission (DHM) has been involved directly in supporting the ministry of our partner churches to suffering people in Eastern Ukraine.
Our mission is to support and empower local churches in Eastern Ukraine and empower local Christians by working in partnership with them to bring real, life-saving, life-enhancing, life-dignifying transformation to their communities. We work this way because it is through local and long-term relationships that trust is built and good lasting change is enabled.
Our partners in the local communities in Eastern Ukraine know the people and their needs. By equipping local churches with whom were are in close relationship, we are able to limit administrative overhead expenses and ensure that the aid and financial support we give go directly to each partnership project.
Our partners include a Baptist pastor who drives to the frontline to supply Ukrainian troops with fresh food and water, as well as medical supplies and first aid kits. We also support one of our partners who works as a doctor in Dnipro State Hospital, who works long tiring shifts on a ward treating wounded soldiers and civilians. We have active ministry partners who are providing life-saving aid to people in Zaporizhe, Dnipro, Donetsk and Kherson.
Since the start of the war, DHM has raised and sent over £200,000 to support the work of our partners on the frontline in Ukraine. If you or your church would be interested in exploring the possibilities of partnering with a church in Ukraine, please get in touch with the Chair of Trustees, Mark Allchorn. He can be contacted at mark@dniprohopemission.org
Contributed by Joshua Searle; © the Author
