Ukraine Appeal: Small Churches on the Frontline of Relief

A typical day in Eastern Ukraine lately is marked by the sounds of artillery shelling, drones, and even ballistic missiles striking their targets. By the hundreds, civilians and military alike are wounded or killed each week. Adding to this the weather is not as forgiving as last year. Winter has just started to settle in and already temperatures are reaching low 20s. Snow and frozen ground are building where shelter is scarce in war-torn cities. Combined this has created a context of decreasing morale and an increasing sense of isolation. This is precisely where the Ukrainian Evangelical Church is showing up.

Israel/Lebanon/Palestine Emergency Relief Appeal — December 2023 Update

The Outreach Foundation has received a tremendous amount of support for the Israel/Lebanon/Palestine Emergency Relief Appeal. Here is the latest news received from two partners there — Nader Abou Amsha, Director of the Middle East Council of Churches Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), and the Rev. Joseph Kassab, long-time partner in Lebanon and moderator of the Synod of Syria and Lebanon:

Middle East Council of Churches
Unfortunately, we have lost another colleague to the war. She was killed along with her husband and child in an airstrike on their home. In a separate attack, we lost our Center in Al-Daraj — the entire building including the clinic, physiotherapy unit, pharmacy, and dentist clinic — just flattened to the ground.

We continue our work in Gaza. Here is a summary of that work, often conducted under fire:

Israel/Lebanon/Palestine Emergency Relief

In recent weeks, we have witnessed the intense suffering of people in the Middle East. We are shocked and deeply grieved by the horrific violence and loss of life in Israel on October 7, 2023. Our grief is only deepened by the continued suffering of an escalating war.

Many innocent people in Gaza have now endured countless days of tragedy with no water, food, or medical supplies. Attempts for people to leave Gaza have been thwarted. There appears to be no safe place to go.

In response to the war that is now expanding into parts of Lebanon, The Outreach Foundation is launching an Emergency Appeal. Our partners in the region will help aid the people in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon. All funds will be used to help the innocent victims of war.

Middle East Earthquake Relief — May 2023 Update

On February 6, 2023, the world woke to the news of a devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey. We all watched reports from the field indicating the region was in dire need of help. The Outreach Foundation responded quickly (within 24 hours) by establishing the Middle East Earthquake Relief Appeal which has generated widespread support from our donor base.

War Relief for the People of Ukraine — January 2023

Since February 2022, The Outreach Foundation has disbursed over 1.4 million dollars to partners providing integrated ministry to war-affected families in Ukraine and to many who have fled. This incredible show of support was made possible through the generous donations of congregations and donors across the U.S. The Outreach Foundation has fielded three teams to the region since war broke out in Ukraine. Our latest visit was in November, and we were able to reach the border between Poland and Ukraine.

Emergency Appeals, Europe, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 26, 2023Ukraine Appeal, Ukraine

Stories From the Front in Ukraine — January 2023

In November 2022, The Outreach Foundation fielded a team of six to meet Dr. Ivan Rusyn, President of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (Kyiv), and Father Oleh Kindii, a priest with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (Lviv). The team brought a few hundred pounds of relief supplies and shuttled them from Warsaw, Poland to the Medyka border with Ukraine.

Update from Ukraine – Gratitude

In early November, a team from The Outreach Foundation met with dear friend Father Oleh Kindii of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at the border between Ukraine and Poland. We handed over supplies designated specifically for the medical divisions working with the Ukrainian military. The picture here is from the 63 Separate Mechanized Brigade. The precise identity and location are hidden.

A Difficult Day in Kyiv, Ukraine

Dr. Ivan Rusyn, President of the Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kyiv, sent us this quote today : “Today (November 15) was a difficult day with rockets flying over our heads. We took a video of one rocket that was destroyed by a fighter jet just above the seminary.”

Emergency Appeals, Europe, Projects, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationNovember 16, 2022Ukraine Appeal, Ukraine

Pakistan Monsoon Relief — Important Update

The Outreach Foundation is following the relief efforts of PAK Mission Society closely and we are pleased to report that they have signed a Memo of Understanding with Rev. Reuben Qamar and Rev. Obaid Khokhar, Moderators of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. This brings Christians together to provide a holistic, Christian-based response to rural communities in Pakistan and places where there are many refugees from Afghanistan.

PAK Mission Society is present in 80 villages, providing 1,791 food packages, and over 3,700 hot meals.

An Urgent Appeal for Pakistan Relief

Pakistan is experiencing a monsoon flood disaster. Since mid-August heavy rains, nearly three times higher than the national 30-year average, have created a humanitarian disaster in Pakistan. The most impacted areas are near Afghanistan and south of Lahore. Travel out of the affected regions is not possible, even for those who own vehicles.

Hundreds of thousands of families have lost their means of income due to the destruction of livestock and crops. Many of the people who are affected by these floods are refugees from Afghanistan and Iran who cannot leave Pakistan. The Pakistani government does not recognize these refugees and will not support them.

Ukraine Appeal – News from the CRU Refugee Camp for Ukrainians in Romania

Outreach Associate Director Tom Boone recently received this wonderful video from partner Beni Husarciuc, a Cru staff person in Romania. Outreach is working with Beni to provide medical supplies to Ukraine as well as fund a housing unit Cru built at their refugee camp in Romania.

Emergency Appeals, Europe, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJuly 11, 2022Ukraine Appeal, Ukraine, Europe

Ukraine Appeal - Getting to Know Our Partners - Oleg and Lena

Before Putin’s massive invasion of Ukraine, I was pleased to know Oleg and Lena Vasilevsky. I have always been inspired by their passion for the Lord, the young people of Ukraine, and their commitment to transforming culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1994 they gave birth to Radooga Ministry which seeks to transform Ukraine from the grassroots, beginning with the next generation. Channel 5 in Nashville, TN featured their story as part of their series detailing The Outreach Foundation’s war relief effort.

From the Front Lines of the War in Lviv, Ukraine

February 28, 2022

When it’s darkest, that is when we can see the stars—a story from the front lines of the war in Lviv, Ukraine.

“It’s hard to imagine” Father Oleh reflects on what has become his daily routine. Oleh serves as a parish priest in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Lviv and is Professor of Philosophy at the Ukrainian Catholic University of Lviv. His story is one of many stories of faithful church leaders helping people experience God’s love in their darkest of nights.

Voices from Ukraine

February 25, 2022

The Outreach Foundation is listening to voices of our friends from Eastern Europe and we are sharing them with you.

While the bitter cold of war continues to escalate, we are grateful to share with you the voices of our friends in and around Ukraine. Friends such as Father Oleh Kindii, a professor of philosophy at Lviv University and a parish priest. Today he received hundreds of confessions from people. Today he wrote, “On this day when Russia has launched a vicious attack on the country of Ukraine, we pray that the Good Shepherd may bring strength and wisdom to leadership and protection for the most vulnerable now in this unjustified, premeditated aggression. Prayers for all.”

Partner Updates