Report on the Work of Humanitarian Hubs "People of the Bridge" for January-June 2025
With both heavy hearts and steadfast hope, we present yet another comprehensive report documenting our relief ministry of the seminary-based refugee hubs "People of the Bridge" throughout 1200 days of Russia's full-scale war.
Since February 2022, these hubs – with your financial and prayerful support – have served as beacons of the Light of the Gospel amid the darkness of the ongoing war (that gets more and more intense), providing critical support to countless individuals affected by this devastating aggression.
Through our dedicated staff, volunteers, and faithful partners, we have delivered comprehensive services including evacuation assistance, shelter, food aid, spiritual care, faith-based counseling, and specialized support for internally displaced persons with disabilities.
This report details the scope and impact of our efforts, documenting both the immense challenges that we continue to face and the resilience demonstrated by our Community of Hope through God's grace and your unwavering support.
Behind every statistic in this report lies a human story – mothers, fathers, children, siblings, and grandparents whose lives have been shattered by the Russian war. Millions have fled their homes, leaving everything behind, while others have endured occupation and witnessed unspeakable Russian atrocities. Yet amid this darkness, we have witnessed extraordinary courage and faith as people cling to Hope through the compassion offered by our seminary-based refugee hubs.
The following statistics demonstrate the comprehensive scope of our seminary-based refugee hub ministry during the first half of 2025. Note: figures marked as "total" represent cumulative impact since February 24, 2022.
- 224 volunteers dedicated their time and energy to support refugees and war-affected populations, persevering despite significant personal challenges and death threats from Russian FPV drones.
- 241 people were safely evacuated from high-risk areas amid ongoing shelling and damaged infrastructure (total: 12 349).
- 187 refugees received temporary shelter while transitioning from war zones to safer locations within Ukraine or abroad (total: 11 987).
- 230 refugees received long-term accommodation on seminary campuses, including meals, clothing, healthcare assistance, legal aid, and resettlement support (total: 55 596).
- 30 370 vulnerable people and IDPs – including children, single women, widows, and the elderly – received food assistance (total: 696 057 individual food boxes and packages).
- 532 tons of food and critical supplies were delivered to those in need (total: 7 135).
- 249 090 Bibles and New Testaments were distributed to war-affected individuals (total: 1 481 066).
- 12 915 civilians and military personnel accessed faith-based psychological and emotional counseling to address war trauma and stress (total: 109 358).
- 2 539 people with disabilities – including evacuees, civilians, wounded military personnel, and those with traumatic injuries – received essential care and support (total: 12 970).
- Over 4 000 internally displaced people have found new hope and life in their Communities of Hope by accepting Jesus as their Savior and joining local churches through baptism, thanks to the ministry of the seminary-based refugee hubs.
Our partner hubs currently include: Chernivtsi Bible Seminary, Dialogue in Action, Eastern European Institute of Theology (Lviv), Evangelical Theological University (Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia), Kremenchuk Evangelical Seminary, Lviv Theological Seminary, Odesa Theological Seminary, Tavriskii Christian Institute (relocated from Kherson to Ivano-Frankivsk, and then to Kyiv), Transcarpathian Christian Institute (Khust), Ukrainian Bible Society (Kyiv), Trauma Healing Institute (Kyiv, and different regions of Ukraine), and Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary.
These hubs represent our partnerships with Mesa Global (former Overseas Council-United World Mission), Scholar Leaders, Overseas Council Europe, Open Eyes, Send International, Langham, and others. However, over 20 additional seminaries across Ukraine (which are not a part of our network "People of the Bridge" but many members of the International Evangelical Theological Alliance) continue providing essential relief services and deserve equal recognition for their tireless work.
Your invaluable impact on the lives of those affected by the war and the Church in Ukraine cannot be overstated.
We are grateful for your partnership and commitment to the Mission of God that has not changed and will not change, despite the Russian war.
And we invite you, our esteemed friends and partners, to continue to support the ministry of our seminary-based refugee hubs as the war gets more and more intense.
- Ukraine: Refugees Assistance (through our 11 seminary hubs).
- Ukraine: Bibles for Refugees and Military (with Ukraine Bible Society).
- Ukraine Mental Health and Well-Being Care (with Trauma Healing Institute and seminaries that provide faith-based professional counseling).
Peace be with you and keep your children away from war.
Gratefully,
Taras Dyatlik
Project Manager for the "People of the Bridge" in Ukraine
On behalf of the Ukraine Coordination Group:
- Roman Soloviy (Langham, EEIT)
- Olga Marchak (Mesa Global)
- Ivan Rusyn (Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary)
- Oleksandr Geychenko (Odesa Theological Seminary)
- Kseniia Trofymchuk (EEIT)
- Kateryna Shutko (EEIT)
- Scott Cunnigham (Mesa Global)
- Evan Hunter (Scholar Leaders)
