Answers to Prayer

1 Praise the Lord for the rich Christian heritage of Ukraine

2 Praise God for the emergence of many dynamic and visionary Ukrainian mission agencies who minister both at home and all over the former Soviet Union

Challenges for Prayer

1 The aftermaths of both independence and the Chernobyl disaster still have tragic impact on Ukrainians

2 Ukraine is a key state, a spiritual bridge between east and west, Orthodox and Catholic

3 Ukraine has a strong Christian heritage, but suffering under Communism was severe

a) The need for full restoration and reconciliation

b) Lack of unity

c) The lack of resources for maximising the present harvest

d) Religious freedom is somewhat threatened by the entrenched religious hierarchy and by government actions taken to limit the expansion of cults and sects

4 Good, spiritual, theological training is a great need

Geography

click to enlarge

Area 603,700 sq.km. A flat, fertile, forested plain with few natural boundaries.

Population (2000) 50,455,980 -0.38%AGR

Capital Kyiv (Kiev) 3.35 mill.

Peoples

Indo-European 97.7%.

Turkic/Altaic 1.2%.

Other 1.1%.

Literacy 99%. Official language Ukrainian, but Russian widely spoken. All languages 8. Languages with Scripture 3Bi 1NT 1por 1wip.

Economy

Rich in natural resources. HDI 0.721; 91^st/174. Public debt 13% of GNP. Income/person $1,040 (3.3% of USA).

Politics

For centuries Ukraine was dominated and fought over by a succession of powers.

Religion

The Church was severely persecuted under Communism.

Churches in Ukraine

Missionaries from Ukraine

906 in 16 agencies to 10 countries

Missionaries to Ukraine

463 in 70 agencies from 22 countries

click for legend

Internet Links