As he sheltered with his young family through waves of attacks, he faced the inevitable truth: their family, and most of their congregation, had no choice but to flee the Russian army advancing upon their eastern Ukrainian city. Grabbing the few belongings they could carry, Nikolai’s family began the long, dangerous journey to western Ukraine. The decision saved their lives: the intense bombardments have since nearly leveled their city.
Nikolai and his wife resigned themselves to establishing a new life in western Ukraine, even as they felt weighed down with overwhelming discouragement after losing not only their hard-earned possessions but their close relationships and beloved ministry as church planters.
In early 2024, the church they attended hosted an evangelistic medical clinic. A team of professionals from the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMAU), including ABWE missionary and nurse practitioner Holly F., traveled to their new city to offer medical care to patients who otherwise would not have access to it. Many in that region, like Nikolai, have been displaced from areas devastated by heavy fighting.
Over the course of several days, the team treated chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, while an optometrist evaluated patients for glasses, distributed free of charge. Many patients also arrived seeking help with anxiety, depression, and insomnia due to the constant stress of enduring several years of war.
The compassionate, high-quality care offered for physical and emotional needs breaks down barriers for people to discuss their spiritual needs.
“We always offer opportunities for patients to meet with a counselor or pastor for prayer, and we invite them to services at the local church,” explained Holly. “We share the hope of the gospel with all those willing to listen.”
Nikolai volunteered to serve as one of the clinic chaplains. After several patients expressed interest in learning more about the Bible, he gathered a group from the side of town in which he lived and began meeting with them regularly. Those who trusted Christ were soon joined by other believers, and, in 2025, Nikolai had the foundation for a new church plant.
After the pain of losing his previous church, Nikolai found God restoring his passion and vision for ministry.
“Once church planting is in your veins, you can’t stop!” he said.
By the time the CMAU team returned to Nikolai’s city in 2025, the church plant had developed to the point that they were able to host several days of medical clinics in their newly rented facility. Nikolai energetically met with as many patients as possible, inviting each to attend the church for follow-up ministry.
“Nikolai’s church has already had their first baptism, and the majority of those who attend have been previously displaced by the war,” shared Holly. “It is such a blessing to see how God is using him and his wife to minister to those who have suffered like they have and to plant a church in the place to which they were forced to flee.”
In addition to ABWE missionaries’ on-the-ground ministry through medical clinics, the generosity of ABWE partners through the Ukraine Crisis Fund continues to provide supplies and medications used to share the good news of the gospel with Ukrainians. Only the hope of Christ can overcome the loss of war, restore the lives of the hurting, and reignite passion in his people.
Learn More About Medical Missions
If you are a medical professional passionate about using medicine to reach others around the world, join us at the Global Missions Health Conference (GMHC), November 6-8, 2025.
GMHC offers a wonderful venue for connecting with others interested in medical missions, whether through short-term trips or long-term ministry. GMHC also provides opportunities for international continuing education related to missions topics in underserved and needy populations around the world.
ABWE providers from our hospitals in Togo and Bangladesh, along with medical personnel from several of our other facilities around the world—including Ukraine—would love to talk with you about opportunities to use your skills to advance the gospel through medicine. Come begin a conversation with us at booths 1207-1209, 1307-1309. Register today.
Editor’s Note: Nikolai’s name has been changed for security.
