Pray for Us Ways to Give Book A Speaker Why?
The teams News & Updates IMJP Vision Contact

At a time of crisis and gospel opportunity
Ukrainian Jewish people need Jesus

As the world has watched on in horror at the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the escalating war has been very close to our hearts and remained in our prayers because we have five missionaries who were born in Ukraine.

Our three missionaries based in Israel – Igal Vender, Aviel Sela and Misha Vayshengolts – all originally emigrated from Ukraine and have active ministries among Ukrainian immigrants to Israel. However, two of our missionaries from Odessa, Ukraine – Igor and Galyna Barbanel – have had to flee to Moldova as refugees…

 

Faithful missionaries in a foreign land

Following a perilous journey, when the Barbanels arrived in Moldova they secured temporary accommodation in Kishinev, Moldova’s capital city, and connected with a fellowship at which Igor had previously preached.

Praise God, this connection has opened the door to a new area of ministry for the Barbanels. They have continued reaching out to their Jewish contacts who remain in Odessa via voice and video while also now seeking new Jewish contacts in Kishinev.

Although they have had to leave everything behind for now, the Barbanels have faithfully continued their ministry and God is blessing their work with new Jewish contacts already coming to know Jesus.

 

Your support will help our refugee missionaries, The Barbanels, continue to reach out to Jewish people in Moldova and Ukraine

 
 
 

Your gift will help Jewish people - like Leonid and Raisa (centre) - hear the gospel and be saved

 
 

Salvation in the midst of calamity

In the weeks that the Barbanels have been in Moldova, they have already seen three of their new contacts coming to faith in Jesus:

Svetlana – a local Jewish Moldovan woman who was clearly very open to the Good News but struggling with her health.

After Igor prayed for her physical needs, he went on to share the gospel message with her. As he did so, Svetlana responded, admitting that she now believed Jesus was the Messiah. She then went on to pray with Igor, professing faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Leonid and Raisa – a mother and son profess faith together

Leonid had previously attended a Jewish festival outreach at the fellowship so Igor invited him and his mother, who was also on the database, to a Sabbath outreach meeting.

During the event, a clear gospel message was preached and those attending were challenged to put their trust in Jesus for salvation. After the meeting, Igor asked Leonid and Raisa whether they saw themselves as sinners. Both said they did and when he went on to ask them if they believed that Jesus was the Messiah, they both responded positively. Igor was overjoyed as both went on to confess their sin and prayed, putting their trust in Jesus for their salvation. Praise God!

While these blessings in this new chapter of ministry have been of great encouragement to Igor and Galyna, they have stayed in touch with their existing Ukrainian contacts, many of whom have become increasingly open to the gospel because of the war.

 
light+grey+bg%403x.jpg
 

You can help Jewish people in Eastern Europe know Jesus

Jewish people who have remained in Ukraine, and those who have become refugees, have had their world shaken and are seeking spiritual answers to searching questions about life and death.

While the current situation is challenging, we take heart from the fact that God is bringing good out of this situation and Jewish people – faced with difficult and unsettling circumstances – are being drawn to him. As Igor says: ‘God is good and turns evil into good, as we can see through all that has happened to us.’

There is no shortage of Jewish people – just like Svetlana, Leonid and Raisa – who need to hear about Jesus urgently right now. The current troubles are understandably making Jewish people consider their future, not only in the midst of the present turmoil but also eternally.

Please send a gift to support our urgent gospel work among Ukrainian Jewish people, both in Ukraine and as refugees in other countries like Moldova at this critical time.

 

Your gift will ensure that more Eastern European and Ukrainian Jewish people are given the opportunity to hear about Jesus at this critical time

 
 
imjp+biue+bg%403x.jpg