Groundbreaking Ministry World MAP in Ukraine and Eastern Europe 2011 By Frank R. Parrish It had long been a desire for Wendy and me to visit Eastern Europe and to investigate what World MAP might do to assist church leaders there. In April of this year, through a recent series of contacts and open doors, World MAP was able to conduct its first-ever Spiritual Renewal and Equipping conference in Ukraine! Prior to the conference, we had received reports that God was at work in Ukraine and surrounding countries, drawing many into His Kingdom. So we were excited to witness first-hand what the Lord was doing. God is indeed stirring the spiritual waters in Eastern Europe, so there is reason for much rejoicing and hope. But as in any move of God, there are also numerous challenges to overcome. Obstacles To Outreach The ministry team consisted of Wendy and me, and Vic & Dee Torres, who pastor Reach Out Church in Hyde Park, New York. Dr. Torres is also on the World MAP Board of Directors. On this particular ministry trip, we visited Ukraine, Romania and Hungary. In each of these countries, as well as throughout Eastern Europe, there exist very real obstacles to the growth of the Church. In particular, there is deep separation and even outright opposition between the various religious groups. There is the longtime presence of a variety of Eastern Orthodox churches. The Catholic church (Western Orthodox) has also had an historic presence in most of these countries. Both sects often combine an unusual blend of rituals, beliefs and traditions. And both are proprietary and exclusive, not open to any other affiliations or association with other churches or their leadership. Among the larger denominational churches are the Baptists and Pentecostals. The Baptists are well represented in Eastern Europe; yet they are clearly opposed to anything Charismatic and do not associate with believers from any other groups. The Pentecostals are very different than those in the West. Pentecostals in Eastern Europe were described to us as non-Charismatic, hyper-legalistic and intensely judgmental toward any other churches or believers that do not adhere to their strict religious rules. They also do not associate with other religious groups or their leadership. This preponderance of churches throughout Eastern Europe can give the impression that these nations are Christian. However, their beliefs and church membership are based on cultural or historic inheritance, rather than a genuine and personal faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ. The final group consists of independent, Charismatic churches. The pastors of these churches are in loose association with one another, and of course open to the work and moving of the Holy Spirit. They are also the most aggressively evangelistic, but face the challenge of witnessing to many people who think they are already Christian due to their cultural or religious affiliations. We were told that the pastors of the independent churches do try repeatedly to reach out to the leadership of other church groups, but have little success forming relationships or partnering in ministry events. Bias And Skepticism In addition to the obstacle of many church factions in Eastern Europe, there are two additional challenges. The first of these is the very large "gypsy" population, more accurately known as the Romas. Though the Gospel has made inroads into the Roma camps in several nations, sadly they are often rejected by the established churches as a lower caste of people. World MAP opened its conference to the Roma pastors and we were thrilled that they agreed to participate. But to our dismay, we learned during the conference that some Ukrainian pastors decided against attending our conference because of the presence of gypsy pastors. This is a heartbreaking situation that obviously hampers unity within the Body of Christ, as well as the speed and impact of the Gospel penetrating the large number of Roma people that live throughout Eastern Europe. The second challenge became clearly evident as we traveled farther west. The nearer we got to central Europe, the more we sensed the creeping influence of secular humanism and scoffing antagonism toward anything of Christianity. We witnessed first-hand the difficulties that exist throughout Europe as a harvest field. But God... Yet even in this seemingly bleak spiritual landscape, the Spirit of God is moving! It was our joy to conduct the first-ever World MAP Spiritual Renewal and Equipping Seminar in Ukraine, in the city of Uzhgorod. Our very gracious host, Pastor Valodomir, is the pastor of a growing independent Charismatic church in Uzhgorod. We enjoyed great worship, strong teaching and rich fellowship times with the approximately 125 leaders who were present at the conference. Those attending were open to the Holy Spirit and hungry for the Word - the very best combination for God to do all that He desires in our midst. It was a blessed and fruitful time indeed! The conference also included daily meetings for the women, and Wendy and Dee Torres shared the speaking times. Wendy relates: âWhat a joy to open our hearts and share with the Ukrainian women. There are joys and challenges that women in every nation experience. It was that common ground which allowed us to have such great fellowship. âWe taught on biblical priorities for godly women. We encouraged them in all that was possible for women in the various roles they carry during the seasons of their lives, including marriage, motherhood and ministry. We taught a session on the power of words and the importance of forgiveness. On the final day, Dee and I were able to pray personally with every woman - what a powerful time of prayer and prophetic ministry! The Holy Spirit was present to minister, heal and deliver. At the conclusion of the conference, the team was blessed to put a World MAP Shepherdâs Staff into the hands of every pastor. We made strong contacts in Ukraine, and trust that the Lord will allow World MAP to return and share again with our brothers and sisters there. Following the conference, the team ministered in various churches on Sunday morning. That evening, Dr. Vic and I participated in a Roma service, ministering the Word and praying for a number of those attending. Wendy and Dee shared with a local ladies' group, and prayed with many of the women at the conclusion of the meeting. Among those who came for prayer was an 80-year-old woman, whom they were able to lead to salvation in Christ. What a blessing and privilege! New Doors Opening From Uzhgorod, Ukraine, we traveled to Romania where we met with two very influential and key national leaders among the independent Charismatic churches. Both are open to and desirous of assisting World MAP in conducting church leadersâ conferences there. We met first with Pastor Chiechuie in Oradea, who has served the Romanian church for many decades. He shared with us some of the church's history, and the current challenges they face. He also relayed some of the current moves of God in Romania. This includes the recent removal of the pastor of the second-largest Baptist church in Eastern Europe, after he admitted to being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. There are similar stories among the Orthodox and Catholic churches, as well as other denominations. However, these church leaders do not feel angry or rejected. Instead, they are rejoicing in a new-found fruitfulness and power in ministry as they fill their new places of assignment. The next day, we traveled to Timisoara to meet with another apostolic brother, Pastor Daniel Matai. We enjoyed great fellowship with him as well, and discussed and prayed about possible future World MAP conferences in his city. Pastor Matai is respected not only throughout the independent churches in Romania, but beyond its borders to surrounding countries. Our hearts were knit with both of these key men who have a heart for the people of Romania, and especially for their fellow pastors. Both shared how sound biblical resources are scarce, and because of the divisive nature of the Church in this region, pastors often feel cut off, alone and discouraged. They welcomed what World MAP can bring in the way of teaching, encouragement, renewal of calling and an openness to a fresh touch from the Holy Spirit for church leaders. We then traveled to Hungary, where we met with church leadership who are involved in evangelism and church planting. They expressed how a fresh wind is blowing by the Spirit of God, and that there is great need for leadership training in Hungary in order to disciple this burgeoning harvest. As The Holy Spirit Directs Our time in all three of these countries was both fruitful and informative. We have a much greater understanding of the needs and challenges faced by pastors as well as believers in general. It was clear that the unique ministry that World MAP provides is both welcomed and needed in Eastern Europe. The church and its leaders are hungry for sound biblical training, as well as opportunities to receive powerful impartation from the Holy Spirit. Thank you for praying for us, and for your generous giving that made it possible for us to go. Please continue to join us in prayer for the precious saints in Eastern Europe. Pray also that World MAP might step through the âgreat and effective doorâ opened for ministry in this part of the world, as the Holy Spirit directs and provides. Amen! | 
