“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“ - Genesis 50:20
This verse was a recuring theme over the 9 days SMI board member, Dean Domer, and I spent visiting our partners in Europe. We were able to see firsthand the impact your faithful giving has made in Moldova, Transnistria, Ukraine, Poland and Germany amid the Russian invasion. Each ministry leader we spent time with testified to the fact that despite the efforts of Satan to cause pain and suffering, God’s hand was still seen.
There is revival happening inside of Ukraine with those who have remained in this war-torn country. Churches that saw a majority of their congregations flee, have seen their attendance substantially increased with new internally displaced Ukrainians. God has used the invasion as a catalyst for softening hearts and drawing people into a restored and redeemed relationship with Him.
During a meeting early on in the war, a powerful prayer was offered. Two young ladies who had lost a family member to Russian soldiers were present. They both cried as they prayed, thanking God for the trials their country was enduring, as Jesus was drawing people to Him through it all.
For those who have been displaced to areas outside of Ukraine, similar stories were told. Churches in Germany that seemed to have lost their sense of purpose are witnessing revival through new outreach with Ukrainian refugees. Our partners in Germany are seeing the planting of congregations filled with both new and mature believers growing together in the Lord.
Throughout Moldova, God’s people are using the tools of physical aid to present the Comforter to those in need. From providing free transportation for those evacuating, to handing out shelf-stable foods, each interaction is coupled with the Gospel. It is through your continued support that SMI is able to help fund the hands and feet of His church.
May God bless and keep you in His service,
Justin Brenenstuhl
Executive Director
Read more about the impact of our partners.
Photo Description (Top of page): A group of 5 churches from the church network in Ukraine have worked together to do ministry in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv. With 40-50 volunteers, they are serving those struggling and displaced by preparing meals, providing evacuation, packing bags of food, organizing funerals, sheltering refugees, and sharing spiritual encouragement through the Good News of Jesus.
Meeting Vyacheslav in Kyiv
Amber Schafer
5/13/2025
Ukrainian Refugee Students in Germany
Amber Schafer
5/5/2025
War Weary Pastors in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
5/5/2025
Package of Hope
Amber Schafer
4/23/2025
The Church: A Place of Help and Hope
Amber Schafer
4/17/2025
Ukraine: The Number One Task in Ministry
Amber Schafer
2/13/2025
Marina: Finding Hope in Christ After Losing Everything
Amber Schafer
1/29/2025
Maria: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Peace
Amber Schafer
12/19/2024
Yulia: I am Grateful for the Path I’m Going Through
Amber Schafer
11/14/2024
Nadezhda: Thank You for Your Support at this Difficult Time!
Amber Schafer
11/14/2024
Many Young People are Dedicating Themselves to the Service of the Lord!
Amber Schafer
11/14/2024
Julia: A Mother Grateful for God’s Goodness in Hopelessness
Amber Schafer
11/6/2024
Practical Help a Conduit for Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer
9/16/2024
Preaching the Gospel and Providing Support
Amber Schafer
9/4/2024
A Ukrainian Church Plant Provides Practical Help and Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer
7/1/2024
Ministry on the Frontlines of War
Amber Schafer
6/24/2024
Reaching Ukrainian Youth with God’s Word
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Three Prayers
David Windham
5/20/2024
Belief Through Curiosity in the Local Church
Amber Schafer
4/30/2024
Hope Amid Destruction
Amber Schafer
2/29/2024
Ministry and Growth During War
Amber Schafer
2/28/2024
See the Smiles You Brought to Kids in Ukraine!
Amber Schafer
2/8/2024
Nelya’s Story: Lord, Have Mercy on Me!
Amber Schafer
1/15/2024
A Gift You Can Share
Amber Schafer
12/11/2023
Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Helping Those Who Have Left Occupied Territories
Amber Schafer
12/6/2023
Sharing the Bread of Life
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
Church Growth During War in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
11/21/2023
Larisa’s Story
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
Halyna’s Story
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
Smiles are on the way to Ukraine!
Amber Schafer
10/12/2023
Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Growing Young Faith
Amber Schafer
9/6/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Fervent in Spirit and Serving the Lord in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Flooding in Kherson Compounds the Devastation of War
Amber Schafer
8/17/2023
Last Hope
Amber Schafer
8/11/2023
Bring Help and Smiles to Ukrainian Children
Amber Schafer
8/1/2023
Skepticism Erased
Amber Schafer
8/1/2023
Natalia's Story: Attention Drawn to God Through Difficult Circumstances
Amber Schafer
7/25/2023
Greater Sports Camp for the Gospel
Amber Schafer
7/17/2023
Simplicity and Faithfulness
Amber Schafer
7/12/2023
Mila Finds Meaning in Life
Amber Schafer
6/26/2023
Bringing Refugees Back to the Path of Hope
Amber Schafer
6/20/2023
Ukraine War Update
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Karina’s Family Finds Help and Friendship at a Church in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
5/30/2023
The Russian Invasion: A Catalyst for Drawing People Into a Restored and Redeemed Relationship with
Amber Schafer
5/24/2023
Simple Things Bring About Great Change for Displaced Ukrainians
Amber Schafer
5/16/2023
Like the Sun Shining in My Heart
Amber Schafer
5/8/2023
Vika Finds Hope Through Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer
3/30/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Strength to Serve
Amber Schafer
3/20/2023
A Review of Ministry in 2022
Amber Schafer
3/7/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Touching the Hearts of People
Amber Schafer
3/6/2023
A Nebraska Grandmother Helps Bring Joy to Ukrainian Refugee Children
Amber Schafer
3/1/2023
Elena Finds Hope in an Unfamiliar Place
Amber Schafer
2/22/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Salt and Light
Amber Schafer
2/16/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Thank you for your continued remembrance and support
Amber Schafer
2/9/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: We Sincerely Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve
Amber Schafer
2/2/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Precious Contributions
Amber Schafer
1/17/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: God is touching many lives through your help!
Amber Schafer
1/5/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Darker it is, the Greater the Need for Light.
Amber Schafer
1/4/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: When We Care for God's Kingdom, He Cares for Us
Amber Schafer
12/19/2022
Jesus Was a Refugee Too
Amber Schafer
12/19/2022
Loving and Helping Ukrainian Refugees this Christmas
Amber Schafer
12/15/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Working Miracles
Amber Schafer
12/14/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: You Helped Us Expand Our Boundaries
Amber Schafer
12/13/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Maintaining Relationships
Amber Schafer
12/6/2022
Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Sharing Spiritual and Physical Food
Amber Schafer
11/29/2022
Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Thank You for Your Encouragement!
Amber Schafer
11/28/2022
She Saw it as a Miracle!
Amber Schafer
11/10/2022
Backpacks for Refugee Children
Amber Schafer
11/8/2022
Olga: A Refugee Sharing Faith
Amber Schafer
11/3/2022
Serving and Helping Together
Amber Schafer
10/19/2022
Zinaida and Ruslan: At First They Were Skeptical
Amber Schafer
10/5/2022
Tanya: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Support Through the Local Church
Amber Schafer
9/22/2022
Andrey: A Refugee Boy’s First Step on the Path of Spiritual Awakening
Amber Schafer
9/22/2022
Thank You for Responding to the Needs of Ukrainians
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
Zhanna: She Did Not Want to Hear Anything About the Church
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
A Refugee Family Thanks Our Partner in Transnistria
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
Alla: This Church Has Become Like Family to Us
Amber Schafer
8/10/2022
Olena: This Is My Story!
Amber Schafer
7/27/2022
Your Support Helped Refugee, Zlata, Receive a Food Package!
Amber Schafer
7/12/2022
Katya's Family Receives Shelter and Support from Help The Children
Amber Schafer
7/7/2022
Reaching the Hearts of Children and Refugees
Amber Schafer
6/28/2022
Seeking Hope and Security
Amber Schafer
6/22/2022
Refugees Receive Care and Support
Amber Schafer
6/7/2022
Refugees Experience the Care of the Local Church
Amber Schafer
5/31/2022
Your Care Makes a Difference in Wartime
Amber Schafer
5/19/2022
Fear to Faith
Amber Schafer
5/13/2022
A Seed Planted
Amber Schafer
5/2/2022
Opening Arms to Help Hurting Neighbors from Ukraine
Amber Schafer
4/26/2022
Practical Help to Refugees of War
Amber Schafer
4/12/2022
Refuge from War is Found at Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
4/4/2022
Helping Refugees from Ukraine Through the Help The Children Charity
Amber Schafer
3/31/2022
Transnistrian Partners Serve Like “The Good Samaritan”
Amber Schafer
3/30/2022
The Ukrainian Church is Serving in a Time of War
Amber Schafer
3/28/2022
Maybe There is a God!
Amber Schafer
3/17/2022
Help the Children is Providing Women and Children a Haven from the War
Amber Schafer
3/11/2022
