Members of the Slavic Baptist Church, Franklin, which is conducting a collection project for the Ukraine, include Victor Zadoyanchuk, left, and the Tkachuk family, from left, Nataliya, Olesya, Liliya, Taras, Pavlo, and Nazar.
By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Despite war, even Russians in Slavic Baptist Church are helping Ukrainians
FRANKLIN — Slavic Baptist Church here is a mixture of nationalities. The congregation includes people from Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Bulgaria. All of these countries except Bulgaria were a part of the Soviet Union and declared their independence after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990.
The mixture of Ukrainians and Russians specifically is interesting because many Ukrainians consider Russians as enemies because of the war occurring in Ukraine involving Russia.
But the groups are working together to ship a container of items and to send money for food to help Ukrainians in their war torn country.
Victor Zadoyanchuk of Slavic Baptist, explained, “We are Christians working together beyond the nationality barriers.”
From Ukraine himself, Zadoyanchuk explained, “The need is so dire. The United States is helping so many countries like Haiti and so many others. But Ukraine is dear and close to our heart. I know what is going on there and it is just tearing me up.”
Since April 2014 when the war in Ukraine began, about a million residents of Donetsk and eastern Ukraine have fled and about 5,600 people have been killed.
On the conflict, Zadoyanchuk said he is shocked that it is occurring. “We have been such brothers, Russia and Ukraine. We have been so close.”
All members of the Slavic Baptist Church, even those from Russia, have become supportive of the project though some of the Russians were hesitant at first, said Zadoyanchuk. Part of the reason for their support may be that they understand what people need when war and violence ensues in countries. About 90 percent of the members of Slavic Baptist are religious refugees. Zadoyanchuk and his wife immigrated to the U.S. after they received the status of religious refugee 12 years ago.
Most Ukrainians fleeing the current conflict don’t have cars because about 80 percent of the population doesn’t own cars, reported Zadoyanchuk and Pavlo and Nataliya Tkachuk, other members of the church from Ukraine.
So they have to flee carrying very little from their homes. Some sleep in parks or in churches. Some are shot and injured or killed as they try to escape, Zadoyanchuk added. For instance, as civilians riding in buses have tried to escape the fighting, fighters will shoot into the buses.
“There’s a lot of evil, a lot of evil in that place,” observed Zadoyanchuk. “It’s very disturbing and shocking.”
Other residents have been killed or injured in their homes, Nataliya Tkachuk said. The Ukrainians explained that residents in the areas of conflict also aren’t supposed to leave for various reasons. Other problems are the lack of food, lack of government assistance, and the cold climate.
“Try to imagine. Just try to imagine this situation,” she said. Nataliya talks regularly with her mother there.
Zadoyanchuk is in contact with leaders of Baptist churches in Vinnytsya, Ukraine, from whom he learns these facts and that the churches are helping many people. The container will be shipped to one of the churches.
“We were Baptist. We are Baptist here. That is who we are.”
Slavic Baptist, which worships mainly in the Russian language, draws about 250 people to Sunday afternoon services meeting at The People’s Church (First Baptist Church), Franklin. They also meet at an area non-denominational church on Friday nights.
To get the word out about the project, Zadoyanchuk has sent out an e-mail to friends.
The word has spread rapidly. The collection trailer sits on the property of the Conduit Church, Franklin, whose members also are assisting with the project. Conduit formerly was Hillview Baptist Church.
Items needed are sleeping bags, warm clothing, water filters, blankets, and personal care items. Also funds for food are needed. People, some he knew and many he didn’t, have given between $5 and $800, reported Zadoyanchuk.
Amazingly, as of March 9, the church had received $4,550 toward the $5,000 shipping costs and $1,000 toward food. Slavic Baptist will ship the container soon and send funds for food with an individual who will travel there. Then it hopes to send a container of non-perishable food followed by another container of clothing.
Volunteers will be needed when the container arrives in Franklin. Transferring the items must be completed in a limited time frame to keep down costs.
“Sometimes I don’t know why we’re here — where there aren’t a lot of Ukrainian refugees. But maybe for this time,” said Zadoyanchuk.
For more information, contact Zadoyanchuk at slavikusa@yahoo.com or 615-497-5515.
