Aid for Ukraine

Photo courtesy of AFP via Getty Images

Virginia Baptists Express an Outpouring of Support for Our European Family

In March 2022, BGAV met with other members of the global Baptist family to initiate a plan for helping refugees fleeing the crisis in Ukraine.

On Thursday, February 24, 2022, tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated into a military invasion of the Ukrainian nation by Russian troops. Within 24 hours of this attack, BGAV—working with the European Baptist Federation (EBF)— committed $20,000 in emergency aid to assist Ukrainian Baptists in serving those fleeing the conflict. These funds were used to purchase necessary items such as food, hygiene items, medicine, generators, gasoline, blankets, pillows, and necessary items for the internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees and the shelters set up for them.

Ukrainian refugees seek help during their country’s invasion in Spring 2022.

In April 2022, BGAV partnered with the global Baptist family to provide approximately 52,000 beds in 600 Ukrainian churches and 12 additional shelters in neighboring countries for those who are fleeing the conflict. In addition to a safe place to sleep, our brothers and sisters in Christ are providing hot meals, fresh water, warm showers, listening ears, and caring hearts as refugees find shelter in churches, schools, seminaries, shopping centers and individual homes.

A church in Kiev, Ukraine, performs a wedding for a young couple in March 2022.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to ravage the country these many months later, our brothers and sisters in neighboring countries and in Ukraine are still working tirelessly to make sure those who are fleeing the conflict experience the love and hope that can only be found in Christ.

As of August 2022, BGAV has received more than $450,000 from individuals and congregations, which will continue to provide direct aid to those in need. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters across Europe, that this conflict will end soon with a stable and peaceful outcome for Ukraine.

Visit EBF.org/Ukraine for the latest updates on EBF’s Ukraine response.

This church in Poland converted its sanctuary into a shelter for Ukrainians seeking safety.

Ways to Give

Anyone wishing may donate to BGAV’s ongoing response efforts with EBF and Ukrainian Baptists by designating your online gifts to “Aid for Ukraine.” Additionally, Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV), one of BGAV’s partners in ministry, is also seeking donations for its Project Ruth ministry in Romania that is currently assisting Ukrainian women and children along with other refugees during this period of unrest. Funds for WMUV’s Project Ruth should be designated as “Aid for Ukraine - WMUV Project Ruth” when giving online.

If you would prefer to make a donation by check, please make checks payable to BGAV (“Aid for Ukraine” in the memo line) and mail to BGAV, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Henrico, VA 23294.

For more information, visit BGAV.org/Ukraine-Response.