Alex and Inessa Radin are a couple with a passion to serve the Lord, no matter where they are.
When they found themselves having to leave their home and ministry due to the war, they travelled to the city of Khmelnytskyi in Western Ukraine, and finding many displaced people like themselves, they began helping to share the Gospel.
“Naturally, they were more open to our witness,” says Alex, “since we shared their background from the same war-torn region and were ready to offer help.”
Local congregations gave their blessing and occasional support to continue ministry among those displaced, recognising that they were more willing to come to Alex and Inessa as ‘friends through suffering’.
Soon a church was established and now, just a year and half after their official opening, they have seen their congregation double to over 100 people meeting on a Sunday. Each week they have four Bible Study groups and a Sunday School for children.
Once a week, the women also meet for a Christian book club. These meetings provide a safe environment where women can open up, cry, rejoice, and grow spiritually together.
One of the most joyful events of the summer for the church was a baptism service. This was an especially joyful occasion for them because it was the first baptism in their new church. Five of those who were baptised are internally displaced people who initially became connected with the church through receiving material assistance. Over time, however, the Holy Spirit touched their hearts and gave them a desire to go deeper in their relationship with God.
Alex says, “For us, this event is also a testimony that we are moving in the right direction and fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ: to go, make disciples, and baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in what the Lord has done and continue serving Him with this same purpose.”
SGA is partnering with Alex through its Leadership Support Programme and both he and Inessa are grateful for the prayerful and financial support they receive that helps them in this Gospel ministry.