'Together, we have helped sustain hope' 

European Baptist Federation’s ‘Hope Heats Ukraine’ appeal help local Baptist churches provide warmth and support to almost half a million Ukrainians  

The ​European Baptist Federation (EBF) has reported its appeal to help Ukrainian Baptist churches and other Christian institutions support local communities raised €800,000 (£683,000) and supported around 480,000 people during a bitterly cold winter. 

The ‘Hope Heats Ukraine’ appeal represented ‘an extraordinary response’ from Baptist unions, churches, organisations, and individual supporters across Europe and beyond, the EBF said in a recent statement. 

As attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continued throughout the winter, churches became places of refuge where people could find warmth, charge phones, access hot drinks, receive practical support, and connect with others. 

The winters of Ukraine can average a daily temperature of less than -5°C, whilst the coldest days can drop down to -30°C.  

The appeal, which had been running since November, helped more than 400 churches and Christian establishments support to serve their local communities during the winter months. Churches established warm aid points, provided practical assistance during power outages, distributed humanitarian aid, and offer psychological, spiritual and physical support. In this way 480,000 people were supported.  

One family mentioned that the power could sometimes be out 'for 19 hours a day', and that 'it was only 13 degrees at home, we couldn't keep the children warm.' They added the church soon became a powerful, practical, alternative: 'After school, we would come here - drink warm tea, warm up, do our homework, and charge lamps, phones, and batteries.'  

Bible studies and pastoral care ministries were also provided by the project, alongside support groups for the many who had been affected throughout the four-year-long war. 

Beyond financial support, the campaign also built meaningful relationships across borders. Eighty-five Ukrainian churches were paired with supporting churches and individuals committed to praying for them and standing with them in solidarity. 

The EBF also mentioned that the project overall had been a 'shared effort—from larger organisations and unions to local churches and individuals. Every gift, every prayer, and every act of encouragement has made a difference.' 

The project also took time to interview a few of those who have made use of these churches and their facilities, such as Iryna, who was displaced from the east of Ukraine. When the full-scale invasion began, she fled her home with her children and arrived in Poltava as an internally displaced citizen.  

Through a local Baptist church, she found practical support, community, and spiritual encouragement, saying, 'We came to the church for our daily bread, and we also found spiritual bread. We were accepted as family.'

Later losing her husband in the war, Iryna found comfort through church-run support groups, and now continues helping others who have experienced similar loss. 

Ruslan is another Ukrainian heavily affected by the war, who sought support in the appeal. He still directs a sports school for children with disabilities in the Kherson region, but his home has been destroyed three times by shelling, now he and his wife now live with neighbours while rebuilding what remains.

'We have the opportunity to be in a warm room of the church, where there is a generator and you can charge phones or lanterns and collect boiling water. We feel that we are not left alone with our problems.'

Despite the challenges, Ruslan continues serving children and his local community. 

Similarly, Valentyna, a 71-year-old widow, was also forced to leave her home due to the war. Since arriving in Transcarpathia, she has been living in accommodation provided by a local church. 'Thanks to the help of the church, I have a place to live, warmth, and all the necessary conditions for a decent life. I also receive food and spiritual support' she reflected. Her story reflects the experience of thousands of vulnerable people who found care, dignity, and community through local churches this winter. 

The point of the project was not just to 'winterize' existing support within Ukraine; it was an 'opportunity to demonstrate God's love in practical ways and strengthen communities fractured by war.'  

Over the past four years of war, the EBF reports that many people have come to Christ through experiences with the churches and via hearing the Gospel, perhaps for the very first time. Some have even become part of the local churches, and have endeavoured to help others in their positions.  

'The European Baptist Federation expresses its sincere gratitude to every union, church, organisation and individual who contributed financially, prayed faithfully, and stood alongside Ukraine in this challenging season,' its article stated. 'Together, we have not only provided warmth through another winter – we have helped sustain hope.'


Words by Abraham Jones