We are thrilled to share the inspiring story of Dima and his family, dedicated missionaries serving in Mena, a town situated about 100 km from the Russian border in Ukraine. Mena, once under occupation, is now a place of hope and renewal, thanks to the tireless efforts of local leaders like Dima, supported by Ukraine on Mission.
Dima and his family have been steadfast in their commitment to ministering to the local community in Mena. Through their evangelical work, they provide spiritual guidance and support to those in need. Their ministry has become a beacon of hope, offering relief and encouragement to many in this formerly occupied territory.
Click to watch Dima’s story here or read it below:
“We are the Gromychenko family, Dima (26), Tanya (23), and our little son Artem (3) and we are sending you greetings from a town in northeastern Ukraine called Mena. This year marks our 5th year of ministry in this town.
It all started with me visiting the Mena church every Sunday morning for worship and organizing meetings for teenagers after the church. At that time, I was still living in Kyiv and worked as a taxi driver.
I realized that one meeting on Sunday was not enough to reach the hearts of these children.
So, after a while we started coming for the weekend. We saw God work in our hearts as well as the hearts of people of that town. After consulting with my wife, we decided to move there to start a full-time ministry.
Now, thanks to the help of many people, we have the opportunity to serve in the church, to hold youth meetings for non-Christian youth, conduct events for children, and organize a group for boys called “The Wise Carpenter”. The group for boys is where we learn various woodworking skills. Thanks to this, they are able to earn a little money for their own needs by selling these wood products or by making something useful for the home. The girls also have a “Kitchen Club” where they learn to cook various delicacies.
The work with younger people is strategically important for our church since the majority in the church are aged 50 or older. We believe that investing in the youth will not only bring fresh perspectives and energy to our congregation, but will also provide a Christian influence in our community.
The last half a year has been extremely difficult for all Ukrainians and we are no exception. Since we are located only about a 1 hour drive from the Russian border, people are living in an ongoing stress of possibly being occupied again. But God is showing His mercy to our country and to us in particular. Several months ago, we baptized two of the girls that we work with and three more are scheduled for baptism.
We continue to serve many families in our area by visiting them and their families. Currently we are able to reach about 60 families on a regular basis. At this time, we have 30+ boys and girls who attend either our “The Wise Carpenter“ club or the “Kitchen Club” regularly.
At this time, we are facing various challenges. The main one is the ongoing war and the possibility of being drafted into the Army at any time. Please pray for the Lord to show His mercy on us and our country.
Another challenge is the lack of ministers in our area that can reach the young generation. Please pray for new people and a good team that would serve with us! It is very difficult to reach so many people when there are only two of us.
In addition, we lack the usual spiritual communication, another Christian family with whom we can share our experiences and support for each other, so we ask for your prayer support. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support from all of our family!”
Support Dima’s Ministry
Ukraine on Mission continues to empower and support local leaders like Dima in their ministries. Your support is crucial in enabling them to continue their impactful work. We invite you to partner with us in supporting Dima’s ministry in Mena. Here are specific ways you can contribute:
Your generous donations can make a significant difference in the lives of many. Together, we can continue to bring hope and transformation to Mena and other communities in Ukraine.
Donate Now and Partner with Us
Click here to make a donation and partner with us in supporting Dima’s ministry. Your contribution, no matter the size, will have a lasting impact on the lives of those served by our dedicated local leaders.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Ukraine on Mission and the incredible work being done by leaders accross Ukraine.
