"The ARK" 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.
Mothers, fathers, wives of people dependent on alcohol and drugs
came to share their unquenchable anguish, and they have found support
and comfort here. They used programs such as the "12 Steps"
and "Uncompromising Love." Out of this effort, 8 people
received the Lord and joined the Church.
A support group for alcoholics and drug-addicts was formed in 2001.
Fifty people were taught there, and 12 of them became church members.
Those who are broken in the spirit, friendless, and captive to drugs,
alcohol, and tobacco have found deliverance at "The ARK"
rehab center. The words of the Psalm above express the call of the
Lord to freedom. Alcoholism and drug-addiction are sins that grow to
become diseases, so the work with substance abusers must be long,
patient and comprehensive. This work bears on all aspects of the
person's life, because there are no insignificant aspects in the
healing process. For this reason the need emerged to set up a rehab
center under the church's oversight. This center is a place where,
under the fatherly, kind, but also exacting, supervision of Christian
workers, people have been delivered from the power of Satan and led to
receive Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.
The average time for rehabilitation at the center is 3 months. Staying
for that long in the village of Avgustovka (a picturesque village near
Odessa), the patients learn to draw from the immeasurable treasury of
God’s Word. They get physical exercise in the open air, tilling the
field and caring for farm animals. They behold the beauty of God’s world
with new eyes of faith and are led to reconciliation with God and their
neighbor. And finally, they go through a program in social adaptation.
From then on, they are never alone. They are established in Christ, they
are part of the fellowship of the saints, God’s Church. They enjoy the
new quality of eternal life -- now and forever.
Those who are not indifferent to their neighbor’s sufferings are invited
to help "The ARK" rehab center with Prayer and financial support:
In Ukraine:
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Odessa,
#62 Pastera Street,
Odessa, Ukraine
In the USA:
(a 501.c.3 organization):
Mission to the World,
1600 N. Brown Rd.,
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(Acct #95981 -- Humanitarian Aid Ukraine)
If you or someone you love needs to come to "The ARK",
[Click HERE]
May the Lord who is merciful unto all of us sinners, bless you!