The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has created an unparalleled chain of events that has displaced millions of Ukrainian citizens and sent ripples of impact throughout the world. Indiscriminate bombing has left thousands dead, while entire towns and villages lie in ruins, resulting in an unprecedented number of homeless. An estimated 12 million people have fled via neighboring countries to seek new lives in Europe and beyond. And amidst the devastation, there is emerging evidence of war crimes and cruelty by Russian soldiers: the torture of civilians, forced deportations, the rape and abuse of women and children, and merciless killings.

Yet despite the trauma and devastation that millions of Ukrainians are experiencing, God is at work. At this unique moment in Ukraine’s history, many have become spiritually open and are coming to faith in Christ!

What is the Ukraine Crisis Fund?

The Ukraine Crisis Fund (UCF) is a gospel-centered humanitarian aid project that empowers the local evangelical Church to address the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of families displaced by the war. The UCF works through partnerships to combine gospel-centered humanitarian aid with relevant training that helps churches and believers to effectively share the gospel and make disciples.

When God called Horizons to start developing a network of churches in Ukraine in 2018, to train Ukrainian churches on how to reach Muslims, we did not realize He was positioning us to respond to this national crisis. In 2020, Horizons’ Lebanon Crisis Fund began growing in scale and impact, helping Lebanon recover by positioning evangelical churches to take the lead in crisis aid and discipleship.

The incredible fruitfulness of the Lebanon Crisis Fund has shown us how we can employ that same model in Ukraine. The LCF is serving as an effective model to support and build up the Ukrainian evangelical church to provide gospel-centered humanitarian aid—thousands of refugees and Ukrainian citizens have already proclaimed faith in Christ and entered into discipleship relationships.

The church Leads the response to the crisis

In April 2022, Horizons Founder and President Georges Houssney traveled to western Ukraine. He took tens of thousands of dollars worth of medications and financial gifts to churches who are housing and feeding overwhelming numbers of refugees that have fled conflict zones. Georges also witnessed firsthand how the Lord is working through the local churches, who have opened their doors to the masses.

One pastor hosted more than 3000 refugees in his small church, many of whom had never heard the gospel before. He joyfully reported that most of them had received Christ while living at the church. The love and care of the pastor and church family was a powerful demonstration of the love of God. As a result, many are now attending evangelical church services and Bible studies. In a seemingly hopeless situation, Jesus has become their only hope.

As the Ukraine crisis has unfolded, Horizons’ staff members Khalil and Julia, being themselves Lebanese and Ukrainian, have felt a burden from the Lord toward Ukraine, and are now moving there to establish Horizons in Ukraine.

According to Khalil, “Ukraine is in ruins, but people are turning to the Lord. The abundant harvest of salvation has opened new doors to the gospel, but the people need deeper discipleship and regular care. Churches are working hard, and they need our support, not only to meet practical needs, but to help thousands of new believers grow into strong leaders.”

Plans for a hope and a future

Just as the Lebanon Crisis Fund enabled Lebanon’s evangelical churches to thrive and take a leading role in the nations’s recovery, we want to see the same results in Ukraine. This is a powerful moment for the Church to rise up and bring Christ’s transformation to a broken and traumatized people.

Khalil and Julia Abdelahad are already developing a team of local staff members, who will look to serve in several initatives:

• Visiting refugees to build relationships and assess needs

• Discipling new believers, and leading Bible studies

• Working closely with ministry partners to provide shelter and support services,

• Partnering with a ministry to offer trauma therapy for victims including widows, orphans, and pregnant women.

• Establishing a permanent Horizons ministry center in the city of Lviv.

Join us in prayer for Ukraine. We have seen God transform tragedy into triumph—and we pray that the present devastation would result in a wave of new believers who will bring God’s grace and healing to their country.

If you would like to know more about how the Ukraine Crisis Fund is impacting churches and individuals in Ukraine, reach out to us at connect@horizonsinternational.org.