January 2024 Update on normal UEC Outreach
Our Kyiv director and family remain safely in the USA and are employed helping Ukrainian families who have come to the US as parolees. Our facility in Kyiv remains intact and is being used by a Christian group to serve youth and others and bring some light during these very dark times. We maintain a part-time employee there to help with the building and maintain our legal presence. Many thanks to our supporting churches Laurel Church of Christ and Highland Church of Christ for their continued support and the support of others who are helping us navigate these unprecedented times. Please read the updates above on how the facility is being used.
December 2022 Update on normal UEC Outreach
Dear Supporters of the Ukrainian Education Center,
We are writing to thank you for your support of the UEC. Your generosity has allowed us to make significant progress in our mission to provide ministry and Christian education to the Kyiv student as well as refugee communities in the past. We continue to pray for the war to end in Ukraine and are making plans for our return to ministry.
We are pleased to announce several updates:
First, we have recently decided to expand our board to include highly qualified and dedicated individuals who are committed to advancing the mission of the Ukrainian Education Center.
Second, Greg Hardeman and Bogdan Andriychenko have been elected to serve as secretary and chair of the board in 2023.
The UEC has extended support of the Samodin family in the first quarter of 2023. Vitaly Samodin has served as the UEC Outreach Director for the past 15 years and is temporarily staying in Nashville area. Your support and contributions have allowed us to support Lera and Vitaly during their transition to the US and make their family’s move from Ukraine possible.
In addition, UEC Relief Fund continues its operation helping Christians affected by the war in Ukraine to not only weather these hard times but multiply the blessings – supporting local preachers, relief efforts, and the elderly who are often unable to relocate. Since February 24, 2022, UEC Relief Fund raised $201,000 and impacted 1,058 people who have been impacted by the Russian invasion. We are grateful for your continued trust, and we hope that you will continue to partner with us as we work towards our common goal of advancing God's Kingdom in Ukraine.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Mike Buckley
Ukrainian Education Center Board Chair
NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE UEC IN KYIV WERE SUSPENDED WHEN THE WAY BEGAN AND ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED.
Our Vision
Sharing God’s love.
Welcome to the Ukrainian Education Center!
Many years ago, I came to Kyiv, Ukraine, to study at a university. What happened to me in the first year completely turned my life around. An atheist became a believer, finding more and more reasons to believe and commit my life to the Living Christ. Christ came into my life in many shapes and ways. He was the person who gave me food when I was hungry. He treated my wounds and was my faithful doctor when I was aching. He listened to me when I was lonely, laying his arm around my shoulder. Jesus showed me his love in tangible ways through His people.
A believer later becomes a Christian fueled by the passion to serve the likes of myself so that they too can find unshaking hope in the Rock of Ages. The UEC was born to welcome students into God’s Kingdom. Here they can hear and even more importantly experience God’s love in the same way I did when I was their age. The UEC is a place where their stories are heard, and their lives are turned around in a safe and loving environment.
Enjoy reading the stories of young people whose lives were touched. We hope you too can be a part of our story, sharing God’s love with students in Kyiv, Ukraine.
In Him,
Vitaly Samodin
Executive Director
