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Partnering with
Great Change Church, Ukraine
Hope in the Midst of Conflict
At St Luke’s Church, Thurnby, we are committed to sharing the love of Jesus both locally and globally.
One of the ways we live this out is through our mission partnerships
standing alongside churches and communities who are bringing light into some of the darkest places.
We are privileged to partner with Great Change Church in Izmail, Ukraine, led by Pastor Eduard and his wife Ala.
Our Connection: From Relief to Relationship
What began in March 2022 as an emergency response at the Romanian border has grown into a deep and lasting relationship rooted in shared faith.
Over the past four years, members of the St Luke’s church family have visited Izmail, standing side-by-side with this remarkable community. Together, we have seen God at work in powerful ways:
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Youth Camps – Offering children and young people (ages 5–25) a safe place to rest, have fun, and encounter Jesus.
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Refugee Centre – Supporting over 1,200 people displaced by war.
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Mothers’ Courses – Equipping parents with faith and practical tools in incredibly challenging circumstances.
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Widow Support Groups– Creating community and offering comfort to those who have lost loved ones.
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Youth Groups – Full of energy, passion, and a deep hunger for the Gospel.
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Community Outreach – Providing food, essentials, and hope to the most vulnerable each week.
This is not just a project—it is a partnership, a friendship, and a shared calling.
The Vision: Beyond Survival
Great Change Church is not simply enduring the crisis—they are building for the future. Their heart is to share the love of Jesus with everyone they meet: refugees, widows, and even injured soldiers.
As a church, we want to stand with them in this mission.
Our current focus includes:
A Season of Rest for Eduard & Ala
We hope to bring them to the UK for a time of rest and restoration—away from the constant threat of air raids—and to strengthen our partnership by hearing their story in person.
A Summer of Joy
Supporting and serving at youth camps so that children do not lose another summer to fear.
Building for Peace
Raising £15,000 to create a permanent meeting space—a sanctuary for worship, community, and support at the refugee centre.
Ongoing Support
Providing regular financial support for essentials such as food, medical supplies, and generator fuel.
How You Can Be Involved
Pray with Purpose
Pray for Edward, Ala, and the leadership team. Pray that their weariness would be met with God’s strength, and that their righteous anger at injustice would be transformed into renewed energy and hope. Pray that even amid sirens, they would know God’s deep peace—and that light would overcome darkness in every life they touch.
Give with Faith
Your generosity is a powerful response to a broken world. Whether through a one-off gift or ongoing support, you are helping bring hope where it is needed most—funding camps, sustaining outreach, and building a place of peace.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5
DONATE VIA BANK TRANSFER REF: GCCU