The pastor of a Ukrainian church burned by Russian separatists is spending a week in Jefferson City and the summer in the United States.
Elisey Pronin and his family - wife Oksana and children Viola and David - hope to meet as many people and churches in Mid-Missouri as possible to share his story.
Pronin was the senior pastor of Revival Church, one of the largest churches in the Lugansk region of Ukraine in January 2014. He also served as regional pastor on Pervomaysk region and interim senior pastor for the Lugansk region.
He attended the Center for Christian Life of Ukraine in Kiev and the Lugansk Regional Bible College. He graduated from Lviv Theological Seminary.
Pronin is the author of several books and a member of the Union of Ukrainian Christian Writers. He has been a traveling speaker in the United States, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, France and Romania.
When he became senior pastor in 2007, his vision focused on youth, social outreach and small group ministry. Before the summer of 2014, Revival Church was thriving with nearly 400 members.
By June 2014, tensions were mounting in the Lugansk region, due to increased Russian separatist activity. Oksana and the children left for the safety of a refugee camp. Pronin and a few church deacons stayed in Pervomaysk to assist with evacuation of the war-torn area.
For 12 days, the area was without electricity, gas and water. Bombing and shelling was a daily event.
Revival Church was burned by the Russian separatists in August. The church members have dispersed to various areas of the Ukraine.
But ministry continues through assistance to refugees. About 90 percent of Pervomaysk has been damaged by the war.
Pronin and his family came to the United States to seek prayer and direction. He continues to work with refugee organizations. And he is seeking a publisher for his recently-completed book about the current crisis in Ukraine.
He will preach at Belle Baptist Church on Sunday and at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at First Baptist Church on May 31.
His visit is in partnership with the Future Leadership Foundation.
Call 634-3603, email to [email protected] or visit flfmissions.org for more information.