Village Church

Resurrection Church in Lubotin, a 650-yearold village about 40 miles outside of Kharkov. This was the church which initially invited us to work in Kharkov in 1999.

New Building

Resurrection Church was able to build a nice building. We were told that they solicited many different Stateside churches, organizations, groups and denominations to supply the needed funding.

"Give me power, o Lord"

Bro John prayerfully meditating before the preaching service. Having left this small work over 3 years earlier due to a multitude of doctrinal/practice reasons, Bro John accepted an invite to preach.

Practice, practice

Brittaini & Noelle practicing the piano for a music special. There was no heat in the building, and it was about 20 degrees outside.

"Thus saith the Lord God"

Bro John preaching while Miss Luda translates into her native Ukrainian. Most churches in our vast area allow Bro John to preach in Russian, but some smaller remote works like Lubotin require Ukrainian. Miss Luda graciously translates for these services.

"Yes, I'm redeemed!"

"If you're saved - tell your face!" - Pastor Blackburn in Farmington, NM always says. The joy of the Lord is a truly foreign concept to these people, especially those dead in religion.

Joyful Luda

Luda sometimes has to giggle at remarks Bro John makes during preaching. Her heavy overcoat isn't indicative of the freezing inside temperatures. :-)

Preach, brother

Pouring forth the words of life often is very challenging, especially when the recipient audience has virtually no biblical knowledge whatsoever. Biblical character illustrations & events are practically useless because they have no scriptural foundation.

Lubotin Youth Group

This village ministry has a half dozen youth faithfully attending. Alek here plays guitar.

Many generations

Most of these folks have never traveled more than 50 miles in their entire lives. Definitely a small, narrow world view. This hinders greatly the acceptance of the Gospel and renders most of Ukraine no different than hidden jungle tribes.

Jesus loves everyone

Bro John's animated preaching keeps his frozen audience captive. "Hold 'em down if they wanna run!"

Brother Alexi

One of the 3 "pastors" of Resurrection church, Bro Alexi concludes the service, spending most of his time putting their Russian Baptist Union doctrinal "spin" on what was preached.