Foundation and history of the International Public Organisation “Hope to People”
As a result of deep economic and socio-political crisis, the Soviet Union has suddenly started to change in the late 1980s. Suddenly Christians received opportunities, which they were not expecting and did not count on. After a long period of being forbidden, restrictions, and persecution suddenly came freedom, freedom to openly preach the Gospel. New time began.
On the 7th of January, 1989 in Zdolbuniv (town in Rivne region) during the celebration of Christmas, an informal meeting took place among brothers in Christ, during which the idea about the establishment of the mission was first voiced. The mission goal is to spread the Gospel and establish new churches among the nations, which live in the territory of Soviet Union.
From the first days, Anatoliy Nazaruk, Sergei Tupchyk, Aleksej Melnychuk, Sergei Tymchenko, Vitaliy Nazaruk and Taras Prystupa were part of the creation process. Gradually, more and more new people were joining this group, mainly young, 25-35 years old. Christians from older generations played an important role in the establishment of the mission. They were wise mentors, the inspiration and the first people to pray about it. They are Francis A. Shumeyko, Alexander G. Nazaruk and Vasily D. Bondarenko.
On 25 February 1989, again in the same Zdolbuniv, establishment assembly of Missionary Society “Light of the Gospel” took place. Its ministry was successfully developing and growing during the first three years, till the collapse of the Soviet Union. During this period, missionary work started in Yakutia, Primorskij Kraj, Tuva, Kalmikija, Kamchatka, Chukotka, Ural, Povolzhje, Moscow, Karachaevo-Cherkesyy, as well as in various regions of Ukraine. About this time is possible to say that “the word of God grew and multiplied”, emerged new churches. This new experience has become a big blessing for young Christians. It also was the impulse for development of missionary ministry on the territory of the Soviet Union for the whole Church of Christ.
In September of 1990, Rivne city council officially registered the missionary Society “Light of Gospel.”
However, it was a hard and restless year for the country in general. In the territory of the USSR, the range of international conflicts takes place (Nagornij Karabakh, Ferganskaja Valley, Crimea, North Ossetia, etc.). During 1991, the event known as “parade of sovereignty” happened, during which the republics of the USSR proclaimed their sovereignty and became independent states.
After the republics proclaimed their independence, the mission faced economic and communicative difficulties at work with the regions. The department of one organization appeared to be in different countries: borders, customs, different currencies, inflation, and unemployment. All of this and much more caused new, constantly increasing difficulties.
For this reason, the decision was made to reorganize the Missionary society “Light of the Gospel” in the Association “Light of the Gospel “, which unites legally and structurally independent institutions. Such structure was the most effective option in given circumstances.
One of such independent organizations has been International Public Organizations “Hope to People” (at that time Christian Society “Missionary Brotherhood”). The main goal of it became the spread of the Gospel on the territory of former Soviet Union (including territories which are mainly non Christian) with creation of new churches. It continued work of missionary department of Missionary society “Light of the Gospel”, the head of which was Taras Prystupa.
Founder and leaders of IPO “Hope to people” on the phase of its foundation were: Taras Prystupa, Yuri Pilipovich, Vladimir Parhomej and Daria Kovalskaya. Newly created churches integrated in already existing structural units. Besides missionary work in Ukraine, under direct responsibility of IPO “Hope to People” remained some Russian Regions: Primorskij region, Republic of Tyva, Republic Kalmikyja, Karachaevo-Cherkesyya, as well as Tajikistan.
In the upcoming years mission, “Hope to People” has been searching for new fields of missionary ministry. Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle in the development ministry has been lack of mature, prepared and devoted workers.
In 1997, work in the Republic of Belarus started where in 1999 has been opened new church. In 2002, new churches were formed in Armenia. It includes people among kurd-ezyds, who traditionally are pagans. In Ukraine began ministry among Roma people, as well as on the Crimean peninsula, especially ministry among national minorities.
Later, in cooperation with local churches, ministry have spread in Russia, the result of it is newly formed church in Novorosijsk.
The central office of “Hope to People” is located in Rivne. In 2000, the unfinished building with big territory downtown of the city was bought, and is being gradually constructed. The service building and another building with three big halls, library, many offices and service rooms are being used.
“Hope to People” bought unfinished camp, located 25 km from Rivne in the village Zalissja, which is being gradually built. The multifunctional center building is already being used and holds many youth activities, church learning events, recreation and family, etc.
For the training of missionaries and other church ministers, in 2000 year began working the Bible College “Word of Grace” in which students are studying theological discipline on good academic level (biweekly academic sessions held three times a year). Since 2011, the School of Biblical Preaching is training ministers to apply expositional preaching skills in their sermons.
Starting with 2000 year, public schools of Ukraine implement subject “Fundamentals of Christian ethics” in their program. IPO “Hope – people” is actively participating in this process: provides methodical materials, helps with textbook editing, organizes seminars- camps for teachers, participated in the conferences. Since 2007, to help teachers of Christian ethics, magazine “Word to the Teacher” is being published. Many people are involved in magazine creation process: teachers, parents, different organizations and educational institutions. Especially productive is cooperation with National University “Ostroh Academy”, which makes a big contribution to the spiritual process of children and youth education in Ukraine.
Since the beginning of its operation, International Public Organization “Hope to People” was involved in charity and mercy ministry. Many needy have received aid products: food, clothing, school supplies, medicine. Different aid was sent to schools and orphanages. Medical Institutions received aid in the form of medicines, cleaning supplies, materials and equipment, as well as specialty vehicles. The organization searched for sponsors and provided financial support to cover different medical needs, including surgery for children with various eye defects. Since 1997, IPO “Hope to people” in association with Memphis Second Presbyterian Church (USA) organizes charitable events, during which dentists and other medical professionals treat low-income people, especially orphans and other children from low-income families.
In 2005, Center of adaptation for orphanage graduates, who don’t have any parental support, was created in Zdolbuniv. Young people receive effective spiritual, social, and financial support during the period of education in trade school or college. It helps them prepare for mature life, prepare for physical labor, take care about the house, do gardening.
For many years “Hope to People” organizes Christian camps: for children and teenagers, for orphans and orphanage pupils, sport camps, for families, for teachers and other camps directed to spiritual growth, for sharing the Gospel and Bible study. Camps are being held in different forms: in tents and on stationery camp territory, hiking and water rafting, as well as day-camps at schools and in churches, international camps and others. Geography for camps is very wide. They were held around territory of Ukraine (Carpathians, in Rivne region forests, in the Crimea on the Black Sea coast), in Primorskij kraj, in Tyva, Kalmыkija, Belarus, Armenija, as well as in Central Asia. Besides mission staff, members from the local churches volunteer in camps.
Workers of “Hope to People” continue to do expeditions to hardly reachable territories on the north of Primorskij Kraj. They were the first to share the Gospel in the villages, in which leave people from disappearing nations. Brothers reach these villages to minister people; bring God’s word and necessary humanitarian aid. Being preacher of the Gospel in places it was never heard before is the unusual honor.
For many years, “Hope to People” was making huge spiritual influence through different, spiritually forming conferences: doctrinal, missionary, pastors, youth, for family couples, etc. They have been and stay a big blessing, encouraging and growth-building events for many.
In 2003, children-youth soccer Christian club “Nadezhda” (means “Hope”) started to function on the territory of “Hope to People”. Main activity of the club is proclaiming Gospel. Guys study Bible every Saturday morning and during every soccer practice. They also learn to pray to God: in the periods of success and victory, and in the periods of failure and loss, which forms their character. This is a hard process, but worth the cost.
Ministry of “Hope to People” was never simple or easy, not like triumphal walk without obstacles and difficulties. Sometimes, it was impossibly hard. “Hope to People” not once survived spiritual, theological, staff, and financial crisis. When they come in the same time, it seems that it is impossible to survive, but “It is of Jehovah’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness”(Lamentations 3:22-23). “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37).