Ukraine Relief Update
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. Some of our global family fled the country for safety, but many were not able to leave due to their health or life situations. We knew immediately that we needed to spring into action to support the Ukrainian pastors and churches within our global movement.
Watch our full video where Dan and Gwen Slade who have been leading our relief efforts in Ukraine, where they unpack what we’ve been doing, and how we can all do more!
Our initial goal was to raise $50,000, but our Catch The Fire movement heard the call, and we successfully raised over $270,000. We have been amazed and blessed by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support for the Ukrainian people through prayers and financial gifts. We want to share just a few of the many stories from our teams on the ground in Ukraine.
Many of our Catch The Fire leaders stayed behind not only to care for scared and hurting people but to be spiritual leaders within their community. Pastor Nina is one of those pastors. Based in Kramatorsk, she initially fled the region but felt the prompting of the Lord to go back and serve injured and displaced people after a bombing destroyed a local train station. We have provided her with funds to care for these people and their physical needs.
Pastors Volodya & Alina’s church in Verkhnodniprovsk has been serving as a refugee center in their region. They have been preparing packets of food for those who have lost everything. They had 300 unbelievers in their center a few weeks ago and were able to give the gospel message to everyone there. Even more important than food and clothing, they are giving people the eternal hope and certainty of their heavenly home through Jesus Christ.
The city of Mykolaiv is considered one of the ‘hot zones’ in Ukraine, meaning there is continuous war activity. There, Pastor Stass uses his car to evacuate people out of the hot zone to find safety in Western Ukraine. We have been able to help this pastor keep his car full of gas and his vehicle properly maintained so he can continue to serve people in this capacity.
At the beginning of the war, Pastors Miroslav & Tonya were taking food & supplies into the war zone in Kyiv - even items like bulletproof vests that are literally saving people’s lives!
We have also had the opportunity to partner with some other ministries like Christ for All Nations (CFAN) and Solid Rock Missions to take food aid packages and Bibles into villages and surrounding areas that have not been reached in some time. These teams have seen incredible miracles including healings and the multiplication of food packages. They are seeing young Ukrainian evangelists set on fire for the gospel. With over 10,000 decisions for Christ, they have connected these new believers with local bishops and church leaders.
Our Catch The Fire Church in Plovdiv has a refugee center that has seen over 8,000 people come through its doors this year. We have been able to stock their shelves with food, medicine, clothes, and household items.
We have accomplished so much through the giving of our Catch The Fire family. However, the reality is that they are facing even more difficult times in the coming months. Winter is coming, and we have seen the Russian army bomb Ukrainian power centers to limit Ukrainians' ability to heat their homes. One of our newer priorities has been to start buying generators and heaters for families. We are also starting to see food shortages. With the growing uncertainty of life in Ukraine, most people do not have a way to earn an income anymore. Many businesses and companies have closed, and most of the cities in Ukraine are at an 80-90% unemployment rate. This leaves many wondering how they will find or even afford food this winter. Pastors Volodya & Alina have been putting together grocery sets that will enable one person to eat for one month. Each set costs approximately $25-30, and we want to provide further financial support to help purchase food, generators, and heaters.
The truth is, we need your help. We have been able to help so many people in so many places, but the reality is that the need is not over. We ask you to consider giving a financial gift today to help these precious people survive the next season. Your gift will go a long way in Ukraine to ensure that our friends get the food, warmth, and necessities to survive. Follow the instructions below to see how you can help.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible generosity and heart for the nation of Ukraine. May you be truly blessed.
God Bless!
The Catch The Fire Global Leaders Team
For giving in Canada:
If you would like to contribute and receive a tax receipt, please give below using: https://ppay.co/RQ1FcmcBfAw You can also send an e-transfer to etransfer.world@catchthefire.com Please include a message that reads Ukraine Fund or something similar. A cheque can also be sent and made payable to:
Catch The Fire World
272 Attwell Dr,
Toronto, ON M9W 6M3
For giving in USA and Internationally:
You can give by credit card here: https://ctfusa.churchcenter.com/giving/to/ukraine All funds will go directly to supporting our friends and families on the ground.
Wiring Instructions to Catch The Fire USA
First Citizens Bank
4400 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
ABA/Routing: 053100300
Swift Code: FCBTUS33
Account: 000863161547
Beneficiary: Catch the Fire United States Inc.
Beneficiary’s Address: 2304 Page Road Durham NC 27703
