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Summer 2018 Update
Summer is coming to a close—much sooner than we would like! We enjoyed the season with a little more down time than usual and even got in some much-needed family vacation time. Nevertheless, there's still plenty the Lord has been doing over these months which we'll share with you below. We'll also share some prayer requests at the end of this letter. If you skip anything, please don't skip praying for us! We need it! We thank God for those of you who are part of the work here through your prayers, encouragements, and financial support. Know that we are blessed by your partnership.
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CC Svitlovodsk
During the summer months, we put all of our midweek church activities on pause. People tend to be in and out for vacation anyway. This also gives us a chance to plan more outreaches and prepare for the busier academic year coming up.
This summer we had a small group from CC Kiev come down for a few days of art outreach (pictured above). We set up a number of classic Renaissance paintings of Christ's life at various spots in our city over three days. The idea is that people stop to look at the art expo and are told about the painter and their work, as well as the story behind the painting. They stop to listen, not even realizing they're being told the Gospel! We had many people listen, most of whom were very open. In fact, we've since had a few young ladies who were at the outreaches (Liza, Lera and Nastya) come to service at our church!
Just this last weekend—also Ukraine's Independence Day—we closed out the summer with our customary church picnic and baptism. One girl, Dasha, got baptized this time (pictured below). We were also excited that the aforementioned girls from the outreach were there with us and got to see this witness of God's salvation as they continue their journey (we pray) to Christ.
We're looking forward to starting back up with all our midweek activities next month! We even started one early, going through a seven-week marriage class.
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City to City Ukraine
This June, City to City Ukraine held the first session of its church planter training program, Incubator (pictured above and below). We are honored to come along side this group of 16 church planters from many of the major cities of Ukraine. Our first orientation session gave everyone a chance to get acquainted with us as trainers, the program and with one another. We're looking forward to building lasting friendships with these guys and seeing God plant Gospel-centered churches through them!
We'd love it if you would also take the time to pray for these church planters. I'd like to take the opportunity in our newsletter to introduce one of them to you, and will introduce a new one in each newsletter. The first church planter is Kostya (pictured below with his wife Katya). He's been connected with us since City to City Ukraine held its first conference in 2016 (and he's been a friend of mine for longer than that). Kostya is planting a church in Kiev. They've already gathered a solid group of people and are holding "preview services" once a month at this point, though they will be transitioning to regular services soon. Here's what Kostya had to say about what City to City Ukraine has meant to him so far in his journey and a few prayer requests:
"The personal coaching and mentoring from C2C has helped me to analyze every step of development as we work towards launching public services. The constant emphasis on caring for  unbelievers has helped us avoid the trap of getting bogged down in "church stuff" and maintain an outward focus. I'm thankful that C2C has helped lay the right principles in the beginning stages of our church plant. The principles of contextualization and caring for our city have changed how we do outreach as well as our sermons."
A few prayer requests from Kostya:
- A larger facility for our services, especially for when we begin regular public services.
- For everyone in our group to be building Gospel relationships with unbelievers.
- For wisdom for the leadership in forming ministry teams.
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CCX Ukraine (IFES/InterVarsity)
Just as the college students are on break for the summer, so is CCX Ukraine and most of their ministries. However, I did have the honor of speaking at their  first ever staff/student board meeting in the beginning of June (pictured left) on God's call to join Him in mission and dealing with failure and success in the mission. But now the school year is starting back up and with it CCX activity. I'm slated to teach a couple conferences for them already, including their national conference for student leaders from all over Ukraine. Prayers for the upcoming travel and busy schedule are appreciated!
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Building Update
Things keep moving along with the building. Our fire and alarm system wiring is installed now and the windows are going in as I write this! God is faithful! After the windows are all in, we can begin finishing off the exterior and mudding the walls inside the building. We're getting closer!
We are so thankful for those of you who have partnered with us! As Paul wrote, "Your generosity results in thanksgiving to God." (2 Cor. 9:11)
We still need to raise around $20,000 to bring the building to the point where we can move in. Our desire and prayer is to move into the building by the end of this year, so please PRAY!
Also please prayerfully consider partnering together with us in this project and making a donation, whether that's $10, $100 or $1,000. Every bit helps! You can donate by using the button below. All donations go specifically to the building fund and are 100% tax-deductible.
Also, if you would like to send a short-term missions construction team from your church, please contact us! This is a great way to help and also give your people a heart for missions!
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Family
For the first time in far too long, we got a chance to get away as a family this summer and just enjoy some time together. It was much needed refreshment. The kids are getting ready to start up with homeschooling again this year. Of course, they would prefer that we extend summer break indefinitely (what kid wouldn't, right?).
Speaking of school, I'm continuing along with my seminary studies and about to begin my first written assignment. The material is stimulating and I'm truly enjoying it.
I suppose the big news is that our family has expanded with twins. NO, NOT OUR TWINS! :) The kids have been diligently hounding us for some form of a pet for a while now and we finally gave in and they each got a hamster—who are sisters. Isaac's is named Peach and Abby's is Lola (pictured above). It's not exactly a dog (something that will not happen as we live in an apartment), but the kids are happy.
Thanks for reading and keeping us in your prayers! Please consider becoming a partner with us and donating to our ministry here using the button below.
in our Papa,
Benjamin, Lena, Abby and Isaac
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Prayer Requests:
- For UKRAINE: for God’s peace and order to come, an end to bloodshed and war, an end to systemic corruption, people to turn to Jesus and for His kingdom to come, new churches to be planted in the conflict zone!
- For our church building: Pray that God provides the rest of the funds necessary to finish construction and move in by the end of 2018. We still need $20,000 to make that happen. If you feel led of God to donate to our building fund, you can do so at: http://bit.ly/ccbuilding
- For God to raise up more leaders in our church, especially teachers. Pray for Andrey and others as they step into more active roles.
- For God to water the seeds that were planted during the art outreach, especially for Liza, Lera and Nastya who all visited our church afterwards.
- For City to City Ukraine: that God would continue to draw church planters and pastors who have a desire for training in Gospel-centered ministry. Pray for the 16 urban church planters participating in the Incubator.
- For Kostya, one of the church planters we're training with City to City Ukraine. Pray for a facility, relationships with unbelievers and the formation of ministry teams.
- For God's provision for our family. We still need to raise another $800 in monthly support to reach our long-term goal. If you'd like to become a partner in giving, click the donation link: http://bit.ly/ccsvitlo-give
- For the name of Jesus to be glorified in our city and the lost to come to Jesus both here and across Ukraine!
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If you would prefer to donate via check, please make it out to:
“Horizon Ministries”
Leave the memo line on the check blank with a separate note enclosed: either “for the Morrisons”, or "Svitlovodsk Building Fund" depending on where you would like your donation to be directed.
Send to:
Horizon Ministries
7702 Indian Lake rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46236
All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of your donation goes to us!
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