October 2019 Pastors Conference - Chernyakhiv, Ukraine


This year's pastors conference was a blessing from God as there were 18 men in attendance and the speakers brought out 3 very helpful subjects from God's Word.  The subjects were the doctrine of Christian Assurance, Original  and Actual Sin and Predestination.  The unique part of this pastors conference is that the speakers teach Reformed theology to the pastors and men in Ukraine and strive to provide important details from the. Confession of Faith so that they are equipped to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

 Financial aid is very important for the pastors and families of the churches of Ukraine as the poverty level is tragic.  But also, as we see in North America so many churches and pastors who either do not emphasize or encourage sound theological and doctrinal understanding in their pulpits, it is a blessing that the men who attend this conference are hungry for sound biblical doctrinal teaching.  The Reformed Confessions, God willing, will continue to have a central teaching role at this conference.

The Question and Answer sessions after each presentation were again excellent and lively.  It was clear that one pastor who has attended for several years was genuinely striving to understand whether or not a true believer can lose their salvation.  There are several  verses in God's Word that seem to teach that a believer can lose their salvation.  However, the overarching theme of Scripture teaches that the Triune God begins, carries on and completes this merciful work.  "Being confident of this very thing, that he which begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6)

Without a distinct theological view that is gathered from the overall scope of God's Word, one passage will lead in one direction and another will appear to lead in another direction!  So many pastors and churches are being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine because they have not adopted a sound Reformed Confession of Faith which states clearly and beautifully the leading doctrines which are taught in the Old and New Testament.  Congregations and believers deserve to have their pastors teach them the whole counsel fo God that they might grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

God willing, we are planning another pastors conference for May/June 2020.  It is our hope that a representative from. Come Over and Help (COAH) will be presenting a few sessions to the men.  

Again, let me thank all those who have faithfully given finances to help us continue this pastors conference year by year.  We look back on 5 years of God's faithfulness and look forward to what He may do in the days and years to come!

In our Savior Jesus Christ,

Ken Sanders

More Than Conquerers, by William Hendriksen (In Belarussian language) is distributed




Ken Sanders - Westmoreland, New Hampshire




Georgi Viazovsky - Minsk, Belarus




Chernyakhiv, Ukraine Church Building - Conference is held here















November 2018 Chernyakhiv, Ukraine Pastors Conference



It was a privilege to participate again in the pastors conference in Chernyakhiv Ukraine and to see the thankfulness and hunger of the pastors and men who faithfully gather year by year at this conference. 

The conference began in 2012 with 4 or 5 pastors meeting in one of the pastors apartments in Zhytomyr, Ukraine with one pastor giving a lesson from the the Reformed doctrine, followed by a time of prayer.

Today, by God’s providence, the conference has been meeting two times a year in a new church building in Chernyakhiv and our gatherings have been around 20 pastors, deacons and interested men. We normally have a few pastors from Belarus, others from the Zhytomyr region and some have attended from western Ukraine, Rivne region. Every conference we see a few new faces and it is our desire to invite a wider circle of men in the coming years!   The conference is now a two day conference with either one or two speakers, sometimes three.   During the two days, the men share three or four meals together, enjoy ample time for fellowship, listen to 5 or 6 teaching sessions, and have the opportunity to ask questions in a Q and A sessions following each teaching session.  From time to time, we provide a time for pastors to share prayer requests from their local congregations and have a time of prayer for each one. We have also provided rooms on the second floor for traveling pastors and men to stay in.

It has been our goal at each conference to place an emphasis on teaching from the Reformed Confessions - Westminster, Belgic, Heidelberg Catechism, 1689 London Baptist Confession.  The men are hungry for this Reformed teaching and practical application and as God wills, we desire to continue this emphasis at  these conferences in the years to come.  It is our conviction that the pastors, who often have little or no teaching in the Reformed faith, will grow strong in this area.  We also desire that the knowledge would not be merely intellectual but very practical in their churches and lives.   At this past conference in November 2018, Georgi Viazovsky taught 3 sessions on Creation/Evolution and  Ken Sanders taught on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.   Past subjects have included - Election, Worship, Sabbath Day, 500 year history of Ukrainian/Belarusian Bible, the doctrine of Good Works, Justification by Faith, and several others. It is our prayer that God will bring more men to this conference and that the love of the Reformed faith will grow in this region of Ukraine.  Other pastors have also participated in the teaching on the conference both from the USA and from Eastern Europe.  We look forward to having other men participate in this teaching part of the conference as God provides. 

God’s providence has faithfully provided excellent translators for our conference and this past conference we had a new translator whose father is a pastor in Zhytomyr region and she did an excellent job!  We are grateful for this provision, as our former translator moved out of the country and we were in great need of a new translator even two weeks before the beginning of the conference in November!  The Lord is faithful.

We were also able to deliver a full suitcase of medicine which was distributed to 3 churches in the Zhytomyr region.  This has become an annual practice and very much appreciated by the brethren, especially the mothers who really appreciate our over the counter cough and cold medicine for children!

We thank all who have supported us with prayer, love and support!  May God continue to do His work, for His glory in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine and beyond, as He guides and leads.

Photos from November 2018 

2018  November 1 and 2  - Pastors Conference

After more than 1 year, we praise and thank God from whom all blessings flow, that a Pastors Conference is planned for November 1 and 2, 2018 in Chernyakhiv, Ukraine.

Pastors Georgi Viazovsky, from Minsk,  Belarus, and Ken Sanders, from New Hampshire, USA, will be conducting 6 sessions on the subjects of Creation/Evolution and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, respectively.



Pastors from Ukraine and Belarus will be in attendance, as well as deacons and men from the churches. 

Support for this conference has been generously given from a church and a couple individuals.  We thank them for their love, prayers and support!

After the conference, stories and update will be posted here on this website! 


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August 2017 Pastors Conference - Chernyakhiv Church

  We give thanks to God for another pastors/mens conference which was held August 24-25, 2017.   A few of the pastors brought their sons to the entire conference and we had some other new men this session.  Others desired to attend but were not able.



Vadim Chepurny,  Kenneth Sanders and Georgi Viazovsky ministered to the men on three Reformed subjects:  Original Sin,  The Christian Sabbath Day and the 500 year history of the Belarussian/ Ukrainian Bible.






Georgi Viazovsky and Vladimir Bukanov again made the 500 kilometer drive from Minsk, Belarus to again participate in the conference!




The Reformed Church in Chernyakhiv gathered on the Lord's Day for worship and we give thanks to God for some recent additions to the membership of the church.




Thank you very much to all who graciously gave financially to support this pastors conference in Ukraine!  Your generous giving brings glory to God and helps our like minded brethren, encouraging them and meeting real financial needs.

If God wills, we want to continue our bi-anual pastors/mens conference in western Ukraine.    There is a true love of and commitment to the reformed understanding of Scripture among  many pastors and men who attend.  There are many temptations for them to compromise doctrinal views by other churches around them that emphasize charismatic views of worship, dispensational views of the Christian Sabbath Day and loose evangelical views of church membership and church discipline. Some minister in very small congregations and have been serving their sovereign Lord for over a decade, preaching  and serving the Lord year in and year out.  These gatherings of pastors are the only time they meet with fellow reformed pastors, and receive "live" teaching from the reformed confessions.

Please pray,  that if it is God's will, He will continue to send pastors from the USA and other places who are willing to sacrifice in order  to teach the men.

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February 2017 Pastors Conference - Chernyakhiv Church

We give thanks to God that the 2 day conference last week was a blessing to all who attended.  Pastor Georgi at the last minute was not able to attend and speak at the conference due to the flu.  His son, Pastor Slava, agreed to take on the extra session and led us in 3 excellent teachings on Christ: Prophet, Priest and King.  Pastor Ken continued bringing forth truths out of the Reformed Confessions, teaching the Doctrine of Good Works.  We welcomed some new men to the conference this time.  3 men travelled from western Ukraine and also we had a few new men from Zhytomyr, a near by city.  These men, many of whom have pastored for many years and  who labor in small churches, and who either love the Reformed faith or are coming to understand it, are clearly encouraged by these gatherings.  We have been able to hold pastors conferences twice a year and if God wills and finances are available, we will continue to serve our worthy Savior and God in this work.










ANNOUNCEMENT:    Upcoming Pastors Conference February 23, 24, 2017

We are thankful to announce that God has opened the door for another pastors conference on February 23 and 24, 2017 in Chernyakhiv, Ukraine.

Pastors Georgi Viazovski (Minsk, Belarus), Slava Viazovski (Minsk, Belarus) and Ken Sanders (New Hampshire) are scheduled to speak at the conference.  The goal of the conference continues to be to teach doctrinal and practical lessons from the Reformed Confessions. Question and Answer times have been very productive and will  follow each presentation! 

Pastor Slava Viazovski will be teaching on the 3 offices of Christ.  His recent translation work includes Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology from English to Russian.

We have had the privilege of distributing Berkhof to most of the men attending the 2 conferences last year.

For more information, please email Pastor Ken Sanders   kenneth.rbc@gmail.com



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Pastors and Men from Conference on  September 20-21, 2016 

Dear Friends, 

Here is a brief report on the September 2016 Ukraine trip and pastors conference.  I returned two weeks ago from the pastors conference that could not have gone better!  Each pastor who spoke in the sessions gave a solid and thoughtful presentation and the question and answer periods after were very busy and popular.   They showed that the men are growing in their doctrinal knowledge of God’s Word and the confessions.  

Each pastor gave a brief description of their church and some relevant prayer requests.  It is truly amazing how these reformed pastors so faithfully preach and serve the Lord sometimes 

in very small and remote villages for decades and with such little finances.  It’s no wonder they love these pastors conferences as a source of encouragement and support!

We had a slightly better attendance at the conference of 22 men, coming from Belarus and Ukraine. A few men do not appear on the photo above.  About half were pastors and the other half deacons or interested men in the churches. 

The whole group is hungry for the teaching of God’s Word and the further understanding of the Reformed faith and the biblical practice of church government.

We rejoice that 5 more copies of L. Berkhof’s Systematic Theology in Russian were distributed and 10 copies of J.I. Packer’s Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God in Russian as well!

One man who has attended the last few conferences confessed to some of us that God has opened his eyes and understanding especially through the classes on the Doctrine of Election, to now embrace the Sovereignty of God in salvation!  This man lives in  a local village in the Zhytomyr region and attends a church without a pastor.  So, this man has been faithfully reading to the congregation week by week sections from J.C. Ryle's New Testament Commentaries which have been translated into the Russian!   May God open many more hearts and minds to this wonderful biblical truths!

Sincerely in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Ken Sanders

Pastor Anatoly Buynovsky spoke  about his 1 and 1/2  years serving in the Ukrainian army as they fought against the pro- Russian rebels.  Originally, they ordered him to be a tank driver, but through a kind providence of God, he was reassigned to be a petrol driver which kept him well back from the front lines.

He spoke about how his fellow soldiers were more open to the gospel when there was more intense fighting, and missiles and gun fire.  When calm returned, the men seemed less interested.  Though the Ukrainian army has no official evangelical chaplains, the men loved Pastor Anatoly and looked to him as their chaplain.  When it came time for him to return home, they did not want him to leave but felt they were safer with him in their ranks.   

Enjoying a delicious Ukrainian lunch together between sessions!


Pastor Nicolai (left) and Pastor Yuri (right) gave reports about their churches and prayer needs.



Pastor Georgi delivers 2 sessions on "Romans 8:28 and the Church"

Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, August 26, 2016

I am sending out this prayer letter for the upcoming Pastors Conference in Chernyakhiv, Ukraine.

God willing, a two day conference is planned for September 20 and 21.  The speakers will be Pastor Georgi Viazovsky(Belarus),   Pastor Anatoly Buynovsky (Ukraine)  and Pastor Ken Sanders (USA).  Pastor Georgi will be teaching on the Scriptural and Practical  Importance of Church Membership.  Pastor Anatoly will bring one session on his Christian and Pastoral Observations Regarding the War between Ukraine and Pro-Russian forces.  He recently returned home from a one year deployment.  Pastor Ken plans to teach on the Doctrine of Election from the Reformed Confessions.

This past January’s conference was well attended.   As new men are being invited to this conference,  we hope to have a broader reach into western Ukraine and Belarus and that like-minded men might be able to gather and find encouragement.

At the January 2016 conference, the men showed a hunger for God’s Word and Reformed doctrine and the Q & A sessions were filled with many questions and good discussions!  Many men received a copy of the recent translation into Russian of Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology.   We hope to have a book table at the conference provided by the pastors who serve God in Minsk, Belarus.  

We are thankful to God for supplying finances to sponsor this upcoming conference and would request your sincere prayers for God’s blessing upon those who teach, on all the travel involved and on the genuine spiritual and doctrinal growth of the men and the churches they represent.

We look forward to sending out an update on the results of the conference in October!

Sincerely in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Ken Sanders

(Questions about the conference, Accommodations, Information - kenneth.rbc@gmail.com)

Pastor Anatoly Is Home From The War!

We rejoice with Pastor Anatoly, his family and church as our brother returned home from his service in the Ukrainian army this past week(July 13, 2016)!  Yes, he is home for good having served over a year in the Ukrainian army as it has sought to defend Ukraine against the pro Russian rebels.  Please pray for him as he seeks to adjust again to "normal" life and that this  time spent serving in the army and evangelizing many soldiers will reap fruit unto eternal life in many lives.

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September -  2016 Pastors Conference

Chernyakhiv Pastors Conference - January 8, 9 2016

Pastors Conference Update - January 2016

The pastors conference in Chernyakhiv Ukraine on January 8 and 9 was not only well attended by 20 men but the 6 sessions were a blessing to the men who came from Ukraine and Belarus.   Pastor John Price taught from Acts 20 and he spoke on the  encouragements and warnings which the apostle Paul gave to the Ephesian elders.  Pastor Ken Sanders taught the Reformed doctrine of Justification by faith, using the Reformed confessions and Louis Berkof’s Systematic Theology.  The sessions were a good balance between practical and theological.   Louis Berkhof’s  Systematic Theology has recently been translated into the Russian language and 6 men signed up for a copy.  A gift from a sister in Christ in the USA paid for these books and they are being sent from Belarus to Chernyakhiv by mail service as I write this update.   The men who attended strongly desire another conference this year and there are hopes of inviting a wider group of pastors and men in the Ukraine to the next meeting.  God has very graciously opened this door of ministry to build up Reformed churches and pastors in western Ukraine and we would invite you to pray for and support this work.

Summer Team Trip

 God willing, we hope to have a team trip this summer in late June/early July and another two day pastors conference at that same time.  We especially would like many young people to attend the summer team trip.   It’s an important and unique experience to work along side a Reformed church in the former Soviet Union. They will also get to know brothers and sisters who live in poor conditions and have the opportunity to minister the love of Christ.  Also, those who attend will acquire a life changing perspective on Western culture. Those who desire to attend are welcome to contact us to find out more details.

Donation of Shoes

We also had the privilege of bringing 85 pairs of good used winter shoes for the families of the church. This was such a great idea and met a basic need that we plan to bring shoes over again this summer. The families of the church had a wonderful time trying on the shoes and finding pairs for their children. The shoes available in Ukraine are either very expensive or of such poor quality that they fall apart before long.  Someone said to me, “Thank you for bringing us American shoes! We know that they will last for generations!”  Everyone went away with either one or two pairs of shoes and there were  21 pairs left over.   These became gifts for visitors or neighbors!

Sincerely,

Pastor Ken Sanders

For more information on the summer team trip, please email Ken Sanders at Kenneth.rbc@gmail.com  or call  603-313-9408

Pastor John Price - teaching a session

The ladies of the church provided wonderful lunches


Gifts of shoes

I returned to the United States two weeks ago from a very encouraging visit with the brethren in the Zhitomyr region of the Ukraine.  There are three reformed churches whose pastors I regularly visit - Pastor Yuri, Pastor Nicolai and Pastor Anatoly.   They have been preaching and teaching the doctrines of grace and the reformed faith for over ten years in their respective churches in the villages of Vilsk, Gorodische and Chernyakhiv.    These pastors and churches need our prayers and financial support.   The churches in Vilsk and Gorodische are both located in very small villages and though the pastors have been faithfully preaching, serving the Lord's Supper and overseeing the churches, there has been little growth and many discouragements.  As we have not been able to have a pastor's class for about a half a year, Pastor  Yuri and Pastor Nicolai both asked me when another class will be taught.  God willing, in January or February, another pastor's class can be held. Perhaps, God will supply another reformed pastor to join me on that winter trip to help teach the men.  Our last class , held in March 2015, was attended by 7 pastors and a total of 13 men, including two pastors from Minsk Belarus.  


Sunday morning worship service at Chernyakhiv Reformed Church.   
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  The church in Chernyakhiv is growing and recently there was the addition of 5 new members.   There are also some new families and singles attending on the Lord's Day.   There is sincerity, earnestnesss, joy  and unity in the church.  The congregation is very thankful for all the support and prayer and financial assistance which have been been given by some brothers and sisters in Christ. Two deacons of the church - Sasha and Andre - are leading the preaching while Pastor Anatoly is away serving his country in the Ukrainian army.  Pastor Anatoly was able to come home while I was visiting two weeks ago.  He needed to travel 1000 kilometers from Mariupol in a 40 year old Russia car which was literally falling apart.  It took him and two other soldiers 24 hours to reach home. He was able to spend three days at home, preaching once on the Lord's Day morning and spending time with the congregation and his family.  He has 6 months more to serve.  He is also serving unofficially as an evangelical chaplain  witnessing to soldiers and seeking to comfort them in their fears, while repairing tanks and trucks and driving a petrol truck all over South Eastern Ukraine. 


Pastor Anatoly, Masha, Angelina, Pasha and Natasha - Anatoly is home for three days visiting with his family and church


Thursday night Bible Study held at the church building. Sasha leads the study.


Work is progressing on the exterior of the building. The men of the church who have done all the work, including the welding of this beautiful fence by Pastor Anatoly, devote a great amount of time to building the church building. 


40 year old Russian car Pastor Anatoly borrowed to drive home 1000 kilometers to visit family

English Class sings "Amazing Grace" on the Lord's Day

Pastor Anatoly reads Scripture on the Lord's Day 


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Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ,

The events of Ukraine are no longer making headline news in the United States but the tensions continue with pro – Russian rebels in the eastern part of Ukraine.  This has had a direct effect upon the Reformed Church in Chernyakhov.   Pastor Anatoly had been called up to serve in the military and earlier this year, we were uncertain if his deployment would happen.  However, only a month ago he was  deployed and has been training  to serve in the Ukrainian army.  He left for central Ukraine to receive tank training and  he will be deployed to serve his country in the eastern war torn region.

He was recently home for one day visiting his family and  will then return to his unit near Kiev.  Due to his previous service and his training as a tank mechanic, he was included in the recent waves of army reservists.  Pastor Anatoly goes to serve willingly.  He not only desires to support his country in this war for freedom but he believes he has a special role as the Lord has put it on his heart to preach to the soldiers and give counsel as often as he has opportunity.   He has already been able to speak to dozens of men and some already consider him to be a chaplain.  In a predominantly Orthodox country, it is rare to have an evangelical pastor  and especially a reformed pastor serving alongside the rank and file soldiers.

I was able to speak to Pastor Anatoly by way of Skype and a translator  on his one day visit home and when he is deployed to the eastern region all communication will be limited with his family and church due to security.  He requests prayer for safety – for a soon return to his family and church – but also for many opportunities to preach the gospel and to minister to fellow soldiers.  He hopes to bring comfort and the message of Christ’s death and repentance of sin to any one who will listen.  He has already been able bring about 30 small New Testaments and distribute them. 

God willing, I will be traveling to Ukraine in early June to preach at the morning worship service, meet with the deacons,  examine the needs of the church and to work a couple days on the exterior of the church building w  ith the brethren.   As there was not enough interest to form a team trip this summer, I hope  with God’s blessing to bring a team the summer of 2016.

Sincerely in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Ken Sanders

Please pray for …

1.  The reformed church in Chernyakhov as the two deacons, Andrie and Sasha, carry on the work. Pray for the men who preach week by week.

       2. The family of Pastor Anatoly – his wife  and their children  – they miss their husband and
           father and have now said goodbye to him again for an uncertain future in eastern region of Donetsk,  Ukraine.

      3.Pastor Anatoly -  he (most likely) will be driving a tank and will also be responsible for repairing the tank -  I asked him if I   
     can bring him anything from the USA when I come next month  and to my surprise he asked for  metric wrenches to repair the
     tank.  The army has a very short supply.

      4.Pray for my visit in June– that  I may be able to encourage the church – as I meet with the deacons – as I have an
      opportunity to preach on the Lord’s Day (June 14) – as I hope to distribute much needed finances -  and as I assist the men with
      the continuing work on the outside of the church building.


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MARCH 2015 UPDATE

Chernyakhov , UA Building Project

CHURCH BUILDLING    The work on the building project has continued.  There is more work on the outside of the building which is planned for this summer.  If a team from the USA visits this summer, part of their work will be on the outside walls of the church building.  There have been a good number of visitors to the church services on the Lord's Day. Also, a youth meeting on Saturday nights at the building has drawn a number of young people from the village.    The church in Chernyakov, Ukraine prays that God will begin a work of grace in the hearts of those who see this beautiful building and out of curiosity come and visit.   Recently, the church ordained two deacons, Sasha and Andrei.   Pastor Anatoly is still scheduled to serve in the army but presently he is still waiting and has not received news.  There is a fragile peace in the East at the present and the hope and prayers of many is that the fighting and loss of life will be over.   The economy is suffering greatly.  The currency UAH has lost 70% of its value over the past year and the prices of food and other goods are soaring.    Please remember these brethren in your prayers and donations.






PASTORS CLASS     The pastors class was a blessing. Pastors, deacons, and interested men attended.  The Reformed Confessions were opened up and explained.  This time we considered the article on the Providence of God.   There was significant response including positive questions from one visiting pastor and one man of the church expressed great interest in studying the rest of the Reformed confessions.   It is our hope and prayer that this quarterly meeting can continue and grow, if it is God's will.







MEDICINE:  The medical needs of Ukrainians is great.  Ukraine has one of the worst health systems in Europe and many people are afraid to go to the doctor or the hospital as misdiagnosis is common due to poorly trained professionals in the government institutions.  Private doctors and hospitals are available in some regions but are expensive.  Common cough medicines, antibiotic creams, vitamins and other helps that can be easily purchased in USA are greatly appreciated by the churches and pastors! 

AMERICAN DOCTOR NEEDED!  We are praying that God will put it on the heart of a doctor in one of the churches in the  USA to travel this summer on our next trip and conduct a one week clinic at the church building.  So many of the health problems which our brethren face and become insurmountable could be helped by early diagnosis!  If you are a physician or know of a physician who would desire to travel this summer to do this work, please contact  Ken Sanders 603-313-9408  or email  :   kenneth.rbc@gmail.com











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Pastor Nicolai and his wife Luda




Pastor Nicolai and Luda  - NEW UPDATE  - January 2015

   After repeated testing, and a biopsy of the thyroid,  the results found several 
growths.  The doctors which are caring for Luda are split in their advice. Some 
say that she should immediately have surgery.  Others think that further testing
is needed.  Either way, please pray for this pastor and his wife and family as
they deal with this added stress.  Also, the health care system available to
most Ukrainians is poor compared to the West.

  Nicolai and Luda stand in need of financial assistance if they are to go forward 
with surgery.

 
 
Pastor Nicolai has been preaching
the gospel in a small reformed church in Goradische, a small
Chernobyl-relocation village, for 10 years.

Also,  Luda suffers from both Kidney stones and Gallbladder stones. 
Treatment for her Gallbladder is planned.  After  receiving back
diagnosis for Thyroid, they hope to seek medical treatment.  Finances
will be needed to help them.

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JANUARY 2015   -  UPDATE ON CHERNYAKHOV BUILDING PROJECT

        The church members and pastor continue to work on many areas of the building project as finances for the project have continued to be given generously by supporters!     The cold weather has not stopped the brethren from finishing up a few things outside and turning their efforts to the inside work.  Worship services continue to be held each Lord's Day and visitors from the village have been coming to hear about the grace of God to sinners freely offered through the merits of Jesus Christ.



Landscaping and preparation of church building grounds








Building and Installation of Fence







Work continues on bathrooms/ kitchen



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August/September  2014

Chernyakhov Reformed Church Meets In New Building

The recent trip to Zhytomyr region of Ukraine was a blessing.  I was privileged to be a part of the first worship service in the new building of the Chernyakhov Reformed Church.  Many visitors came on the first service and some brought greetings from other churches.  Two sermons were preached.  The first focused on "Serving Christ" and the second on "Three Things the Bible says about War".  

 Also,   it was good to visit Pastor Yuri and Pastor Nicolai in their homes and to find out their needs and the state of their churches.  Pastor Nicolai and his wife Luda have an important medical need at this time as Luda has developed a serious lump in her Thyroid area.    Finances were given to her to have a comprehensive series of tests and we are waiting now to hear the results.   If the tests prove positive, finances and support will need to be given to help the pastor and his wife pay for surgery and necessary treatments.  They are praying and trusting in God for His mercy and help.  

One of the most important prayer requests that the brethren shared was for the Ukraine as a country in light of the invasion of Russian army to support the rebellion in the East.  Several of the young men of the churches as well as Pastor Anatoly could potentially be called up to serve in the army if the cease fire fails and the conflict again begins.

We praise God for the generous giving of brethren to this point in the building project.  As the war has come into the country, prices of goods have risen and the currency has dropped.  In light of these economic factors,  additional finances will be needed.   The sanctuary, fellowship room, kitchen cabinets, staircases, second floor rooms and Sunday School room, outhouse and veranda have all been completed.  Also, chairs and tables have been purchased. 

 Pastor Anatoly and I are requesting additional support for:  1. The completion of the fence around the property  2.  The completion of the outside walls of the church building  3.  The purchase of some kitchen appliances  4.  The finishing of the indoor bathroom facility on the second floor. 

We give thanks to God that the reformed church in Chernyakhov , Ukraine is now meeting in their new building each Lord's Day, and that the gospel preaching now has a visible place in the center of this village of 30,000 people.  May God be worshiped, and glorified there and may God continue to put it in the hearts of many in the United States as well as other countries to come along side our  brethren with fellowship, love and finances.

Sincerely,   Pastor Ken Sanders     September 20, 2014




Please enjoy the video tour of the first floor sanctuary and other new pictures!

Touring Inside Of First Floor

Pastor Buynovsky        Pastor Sanders            Translator  Iryna




   Veranda Entrance Staircase To Second Floor




Fellowship Room - Kitchen View Of Sanctuary

(07-13-14)


Sanctuary







Sunday School Classroom





Staircase to second floor

Pastors Class - Chernyakhov, Ukraine

Pastor’s Meeting

Two pastors from Belarus and two pastors from Ukraine and I met for our quarterly pastors meeting. Pastor Anatoly was also on his way to the meeting but his van broke down.   Pastor Vladimir from Belarus brought a message from Corinthians  on the urgency of serving Christ.  His main point was that now is the time of salvation but also that now is the time to serve Christ with all our resources, hearts, energy and love.  Pastor Georgi from Belarus also presented to the men the finished copy of Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology which has been recently translated into Russian. This 3 year project is now producing fruit as it is being distributed to pastors and other interested Christians in Eastern Europe for the bargain price of $35 USD.  We hope to hold our next pastors meeting in April  in one of the rooms at the Chernyakhov church building.

Nova Buwrosa Special Needs Orphanage

Pastor Anatoly and I along with a few others visited a special needs orphanage about 30 kilometers north of Chernyakhov, Ukraine.   This orphanage has over 100 children, ages 6 -35.  We were privileged to deliver 15 large boxes of clothing which some brethren from Rochester, NY had sent for the children. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with the children and young adults. Even though the whole orphanage was under a chicken pox quarantine, we exchanged many hugs, and the children were so eager to show us their rooms and their art work.   The government seems to adequately supply this orphanage with bare necessities.  When I asked the children, “ What would you like us to bring you next time we come?”  They said, “Candy! ”  and “Fruit!”   Speaking with one of the staff members, they mentioned they had a great need for more craft supplies.  This is evidently a very helpful activity for these special needs children but supplies are difficult to obtain in Ukraine.  We hope to visit them again this Spring.

As the country of Ukraine is engulfed in a serious fight for freedom, two hours west of Kyiv, the Reformed Church in Chernyakhov is making rapid progress on their church building.     Using all the funds they receive for materials, the pastor and congregation have been very busy.  Using a small electric mixer,  concrete floors have been poured on the first floor.    A new door has been installed leading into the main sanctuary.  Much work has been done on ceilings, insulation and interior door ways.  The two interior doorways were a huge challenge as they each took more than a week to break through two foot granite walls using a pry bar and sledge hammer.



Walls are going up on the second floor for either Sunday School classes or rooms for future teams to stay in. 

Pastor Anatoly and the congregation are very grateful for all the support for this work and are trusting in God's providence that donations and support will come in to complete the work.


Some of the things the building still requires:  roof insulation - electrical wires  -  lighting  -  wall boards for interior walls and ceiling  - two interior staircases -  plumbing  -  bathroom fixtures  - exterior facade

Donations for this work should be made out to:  "Ukraine Building Project - RBC"
Please send all correspondence to:  Pastor Ken Sanders  33 Capron Road,  Westmoreland, NH 03467



February 2014

Congregation Meets In Pastors Home




                                    Congregation of  Chernyakhov Reformed Baptist Church, Ukraine



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December 2013

The Birthpangs Of A Free Ukraine -  


The Ukrainian people are longing for freedom from corruption in government and for closer ties with the West.  They are a strong people as has been seen in their protests in Independence Square in the center of Kiev for a month.    It is not just a bad decision of government, an unwelcome taxation, or a political party that they are opposed to.   Rather they yearn to be free from years of entrenched and severe corruption which has exploded out of the seedbed of a Soviet dictatorship.   The protests in Kiev are not a new revolution but a continuation of a generational  spirit of the Ukrainian people longing to be free from oppression, manipulation and injustice.
 







December 2013

The Reformed Church Continues To Build -


Amid the understandable birthpangs of the Ukrainian nation, two hours west of Kiev in a relatively small village called Chernyakhov, Pastor Anatoly and his congregation continue to labor tiredlessly on a new church building.  The month of December has been a busy month as a new furnace and heating system was added.  A concrete floor now covers the radiant heat in the room where the worship services will be conducted.  All windows, doors and insulation are in place.  

The congregation is Ukrainian.  They speak Ukrainian.  They also with all their heart yearn for improved circumstances in their nation and village.    They would all rejoice if a government with integrity came to power.  Yet, the pastor and congregation know that Christ's kingdom is not of this world.   They know that there is a more urgent need for peace with God through the propitiation of Christ.  They believe that it is true saving faith in Jesus Christ that overcomes the world.   The small reformed church in Chernyakhov quietly but persistently works to turn an old Soviet grain mill into a place of worship.    They hope it will be a place for sinners to hear the gospel of life and peace. They pray that God will change the hearts of those whom He pleases.  They desire that it will be eventually a place to feed the poor and if God wills, provide orphanage care.


The project has received to date about 1/3 of projected finances to complete the building and work.   For more information visit the contact page or email kcsrbc@hotmail.com 





Congregation cuts and prepares wood for heating





Sergei "feeds" the new furnace




A new concrete floor in the sanctuary   




New siding added by means of "home made" scaffolding

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November 2013 

Chernyakhov, Ukraine






 Installation  of radiant heat in the floor of the future sanctuary - Mid November 2013


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November 2013

Ukraine Mission Update - Building Project - Chernyakhov, UA


The church building project for the Reformed Baptist congregation in Chernyakhov, Ukraine under the
leadership of Pastor Anatoly Buynovsky is progressing well.   Through the hard work of the congregation and
pastor and through the financial donations of brethren from around the world, the  inside of the building has been
completely cleaned and prepared for concrete floors, walls and new doorways.  Also, the roof rafters have been entirely replaced and a beautiful new red metal roof has been installed.  Windows have been ordered as well as a furnace and heating system.  With new windows and heat, the congregation will be able to continue to work on the inside throughout the cold winter months and God willing, they hope to have their inaugural worship service in the Spring 2014.  The pastor and church want to express their most sincere and loving thanks to all who are praying, and financially supporting this work.


      New roof on future church building                                          A member of Pastor Anatoly's congregation


Pastor Anatoly welding scaffolding together                    New roof, reverse side




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