Dear Friends,
In recent months, I have had the privilege of serving on the executive committee for the Joint Eastern European Project (JEEP). Genuine ministry is always complicated, but when conducted in a time of war, the complexity increases by orders of magnitude. As you might expect, the war in Ukraine has had exactly that effect. The desire to deliver simple humanitarian relief, to preach the gospel, to establish biblical worship, to teach and instruct young people can all be burning desires—but bring with it the necessity of gathering the funds needed in order to conduct any of it.
I know that many Americans look skeptically at anything to do with Ukraine because of the convoluted and corrupt nature of international politics. What I would like to ask you to do is set all that aside for just a moment and read the following letter. As I have served on the JEEP board, I have been able to see first hand how seriously these men take the importance of actual ministry on the ground, and crucial importance of financial integrity throughout.
If the Lord leads you to make a financial donation, you can do that here. The GIVE button is at the upper right. Thank you for considering it.
Cordially in Christ,
Douglas Wilson
The newsletter is below . . .
October 29th, 2025
Dear JEEP Supporters,
We want to begin by thanking you all for the generous sustenance you have provided for the saints in Eastern and Central Europe. The long-standing relationships we have formed with these CREC ministers, and their flocks have made it possible for us to support our brethren during the most difficult circumstances they have experienced in Ukraine, as well as the ongoing reformation in Hungary and Poland.
We want to outline some of this fruitfulness, before highlighting the provision for the coming year that is necessary to continue to see growth and blessing. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (Philippians 4:17). Indeed, it has been a fruitful year, and may all your generosity be returned by Almighty God according to his promise; “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
First, we put out a call last Autumn for impending winter needs totaling $170,000, and your response was overwhelming. This crucial need was huge, and you answered the call, enabling JEEP to provide generators, fuel, blankets, and other winter supplies. Second, our operating budget last year was $386,300 which we were able to raise in full, with funds to spare. Third, we asked you to help us raise $65,000 for a new vehicle to support and continue the frequent trips in and out of Ukraine and around Eastern Europe. Due to your magnificent response, we purchased and deployed in the field this wonderful new Toyota Rav4.
Thank you for your contributions to this important project.
The JEEP Executive Committee has finalized its budget for the coming year. We’d like to share this with you all and highlight some important projects and needs we are facing. See the below chart showing the summary of the JEEP Fiscal 2026 Budget.
Significantly, several of these categories are underfunded for this coming year. Given our current budget and anticipated donations for fiscal year 2026, we are aiming to raise approximately an additional $80,000 to fund the following key ministries on the ground in Ukraine.
First, the Svitlo School in Rivne led by Headmaster Sergiy Terentyev. Svitlo now has 62 students in grades 1–8 plus 25 employees. The school focuses on providing a biblical worldview to shape students’ character and enable them to transform the world according to God’s purpose. Svitlo was the first Christian school in Rivne, and is the only private school in Rivne that serves children with special needs and the only Reformed-values- oriented school in Ukraine. Svitlo staff regularly meet with parents to help them understand the need for Christian education. JEEP is aiming to raise $40,260 to operate the school plus $10,800 for the headmaster’s salary. This important work of Christian education deserves our full financial support.
Additionally, since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in early 2022, JEEP has distributed over $1 million to support Ukrainian CREC churches with food, clothing, medicines, water filtration, generators, and supplementary church support. As the war continues, many church members remain unemployed, so JEEP continues to meet diverse needs across all our churches, some of which have members serving in the war.
One of the most difficult places to serve the kingdom of heaven in Ukraine is in Mykolaiv, which has incurred much shelling and destruction by Russian artillery during the recent war. Pastor Volodya Mykyta has diligently ministered to his congregation as well as the surrounding community, providing food, water, medicine, and most importantly, the gospel of Christ. Pastor Myktya was among the few church ministers who stayed to care for the community during the war and has been himself wounded twice during shelling (once while delivering needed supplies). As a result of his labors, Covenant of Grace Reformed Evangelical Church in Mykolaiv has grown substantially over the past three years and is currently the largest CREC church in Eastern Europe. JEEP aims to raise $24,000 to aid Pastor Myktya in supplying ongoing diaconal needs in Mykolaiv.
Finally, the Genesis 2:15 Leadership Academy (G215) was founded in 2024 to provide and supplement theological training for CREC church officers and community leaders in Ukraine. We call it “Genesis 2:15 Academy” because of our focus on the two fundamental responsibilities of Christian leaders: the cultivating and guarding of the gardens that God entrusts to us. G215 meets six times a year in Ivano-Frankivsk. The main body of teaching is provided by local ministers, but the Academy also offers the opportunity for all participants to prepare and present a seminar on a topic of their choice. Additionally, they host multiple conferences per year, featuring CREC ministers teaching on the Bible, pastoral theology, and biblical leadership development. We aim to raise $2,400 to support this ongoing work.
In summary, our primary 2026 budget gaps and fundraising goals are:
- Svitlo School, Rivne – Operating expenses $40,260
- Svitlo School, Rivne – Headmaster $10,800
- Covenant of Grace, Mykolaiv – Diaconal Needs $24,000
- Genesis 2:15 Academy $2,400
TOTAL $77,460
We recognize that the economic situation in the United States continues to be difficult, which is why the overflowing largesse that we have received from you all has been even more remarkable. Your generosity has made our work possible, and we thank you. As you can see, there are many opportunities to continue your support of our CREC churches and pastors in Eastern Europe. On behalf of the saints of Eastern Europe and the Joint Eastern European Project, we thank and encourage you to not grow weary in joining us in doing this good work, “…for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).
For the Executive Committee,
John Unger, Chairman (RCC, Oregon City) ungerjp1@gmail.com
Jack Phelps, Vice Chair (CBC, Palmer) cbcelder1@gmail.com
Derrick Honrud, Treasurer (Christ Church, Missoula) d_honrud@hotmail.com
Kevin Kanoff, Secretary (All Saints, Lancaster) klkgo@verizon.net
Douglas Wilson (Christ Church, Moscow) dougwils@christkirk.com
Mike Kloss, (Redeemer, Lynnwood) deut2511@gmail.com
Garry Vanderveen (Christ Covenant, Langley) grvdveen@gmail.com
Dan Nash (CREC, Annapolis) dannash@crecannapolis.com
Bogumil Jarmulak (ERC, Wroclaw) th69@pm.me