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Evangelical Reformed
Presbyterian
Church of Odessa, Ukraine
(Russian)
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CURRENT CHURCH NEWS!
(last updated on June 28, 2008)
June 28, 2008:
It ain't over yet! Although the one case is finished, our case to
evict the squatters for non-payment of rent (after 9 years of occupation
without paying any rent!) continues without resolution. The courts of
Ukraine decided three times in our favor, and three times the local
officials have ignored the decisions of the higher courts! This is a
DENIAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS, and this fact was recognized by the higher
court. The church is therefore appealing to the EUROPEAN COURT.
We badly need this space for the activities of the church.
So please continue to PRAY for Ukraine and for our church.
July 17, 2007:
VICTORY AGAIN!!! Just when we thought all was over in the court
battle, the Actors appealed to the regional appellate court. So we
continued to pray and work. But in June, the Judge threw the case out of
court!! So we rejoice that one more attack was foiled, and our hopes
were renewed for Justice in Ukraine.
PRAY to THANK our God -- Again!!
February 26, 2007:
VICTORY!!! Hallelujah! Today,over 60 people from our church stood
in the snow in front of the court building. We sang hymns and prayed
for justice. Our preachers preached, and then they went in the building
to meet the judge. We continued to sing and pray, as two local TV
stations filmed us. After 1/2 hour, they returned and announced that
JUSTICE was done! The judge threw out the ridiculous case against us, so
he thereby reconfirmed our rights of ownership to the historic Reformed
building downtown.
HALLELUJAH!!!
PRAY to THANK our God!! Read more HERE
February 24, 2007:
BANDITS!!! A court case has been filed in Odessa, contesting the
church's ownership of their building -- only AFTER the church raised
$1,000,000 and saved it from destruction! Who brings the case? The
squatters who have refused to leave the ground floor of the building.
But Justice is compromised, because the Judge has been meeting with
these pretenders for four months without even sending a Summons to the
church!! Pray for Justice!
Your PRAYER is urgent!! Read more HERE
February 2, 2005:
The site of Young Adult Ministry is available now
October, 2004:
The "ARK" Rehabilitation Center (for alcoholics and drug-addicts)
was opened in April, 2004 by the Presbyterian church in Odessa. Despite its young
age, the leaders of the center have a rich experience in healing human souls.
Sergey and Tatyana Baranova have seen fruit in this field since 1998, when they
began ministering to relatives of alcoholics and drug-addicts through the
Evangelical Presbyterian Church...
August 8, 2003:
The CROSS is UP!!! The cross was hoisted high above Odessa on June 7, 2003,
after 70 years of absence. Praise the Lord!
May, 2003
The scaffolding is finally gone and our sanctuary is done! Work
is beginning to complete the parquet floor and entryway. It's beautiful!
February 12, 2003
Plans are underway for a new church ORGAN.
The Walker Technical Organ Company of Philadelphia is finalizing plans in
hope of installation next year. The church must be free of dust, so work
is beginning again in the sanctuary, to complete the floor and decorative
moldings and remove the scaffolding.
December 13, 2002:
The facade is finished! The scaffolding is gone from out front. And just
in time for CHRISTMAS! A special celebration of French Christmas carols
will ring in the season next Saturday. Work has begun on the steeple, and
the activity draws new people weekly to hear the Good News -- Christ is
Born! "This day is born unto you a Savior, which is Christ the LORD."
December 9, 2001:
PARTICULARIZATION! In Presbyterian circles, this means a church now has is own leadership,
and can stand fully on its own. On December 2nd, the church members elected their leaders
(elders and deacons). Representatives from the Presbytery of Ukraine came on the 9th to
ordain and install them. Then they declared our church a fully organized church in every way,
with our own pastors, elders, and deacons. Rejoice with us!
July 22, 2001:
OPENING DAY! On this day, the church began worship in its own home, after an absence of 80
years. The 100-year-old building again heard the sounds of Gospel music and preaching. GLORY
TO GOD!
June, 2001:
Work groups from American churches visited to do construction and lead seminars. They repaired
the SS Classroom and had 100 children in the Vacation Bible school, reaching a number of new
families. Even before it is open, the new building is attracting attention! We also hosted a
national seminar for Christian women in June, featuring author Susan Hunt of Georgia. Doug &
Masha Shepherd are back again from seminary with the Odessa Project, training American and
Ukrainian University students in 2 months of intensive discipleship.
May 10, 2001:
Seven Presbyterian churches from across Ukraine held Presbytery meeting in Belgorod-Dnestrovsky.
PTL for fellowship and unity.
March, 2001:
Odessa church hosted a series of seminars on cults and religions.
January 7, 2001:
Eastern Tradition Christmas is today, and we will be in this larger place of worship until we
can occupy our building. Work was resumed on the building. The Dedication is planned for July
22nd. Committees of members have formed to plan our future: Outreach, Decorations, Building Usage,
Worship, and Special Ceremonies.
December 2, 2000:
Work was stopped on our building while we waited for funds, but the church members themselves had
work days called Subbotniki. Our present meeting hall is filled with dust and rubble. People are
literally standing in the aisles for worship.