Svitlana: A True Warrior

Svitlana: A True Warrior
Monday, December 29, 2025 by Amber Schafer

Categories: Generations Mission Assoc / Impact Stories

When the war in Ukraine began, Ms. Svitlana, from Bakhmut, Ukraine, moved to a city in western Ukraine. Despite being close to 70 years old, she works every day as a cleaner at a nursing home to pay for a dormitory room, food, and medical treatment after losing her home and normal life. It has been a difficult period in her life. Looking for help and support, she came to the “House of Reconciliation” church center.

The “House of Reconciliation” church is part of the Generations Church Network, which focuses on missions training and church planting. This church joined two other churches in the region, offering help to the displaced and suffering. Through the service of 30 volunteers, they have met physical needs by delivering 800 food packages, preparing and serving 300 hot meals, providing clothing for 12 people, helping provide temporary shelter for 10 people, distributing blankets to 38 people, and supplying firewood and fuel to heat 7 homes.

Svitlana gradually became part of their church family. She is now not just a recipient of their support but attends meetings every Sunday and volunteers leading crafts with the children at Sunday school. Svitlana says helping in the Sunday school helps her understand Biblical truths more easily.

The leaders and volunteers at the “House of Reconciliation” church pray for Svitlana and the others in their care. Like the other churches in the Generations Mission Network, they recognize that by meeting the practical needs of the suffering in their community, they have ample opportunity to share spiritual hope through the Gospel message. Through the outreach of this church in western Ukraine, 300 people have heard the Good News of hope found in Jesus, 10 people have come to faith, 5 have been baptized, and 5 new small groups have been started.

The leaders and volunteers at the center continue to support Svitlana and point her to the source of hope—Jesus. Although she considers herself weak, those at the church see a true warrior in Svitlana—a woman who never gives up and brings joy to others.

More About Generations Mission Association

Generations Mission Association for Pastoral Training and Church Planting is based in Ukraine. This ministry has prepared numerous mission teams since its inception in 2015, including Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.

The Generations team coaches Christian leaders as they develop strategies and methods for creative approaches to practical and meaningful ministry. This is done so that solid leadership is developed within churches, and groups of believers are discipled and mobilized to express the love of Christ to their surrounding communities.

Generations Mission Association has a network of over 200 churches throughout Ukraine. They have trained hundreds of leaders in church planting.

When the war began on February 24, 2022, several churches part of this network were prepared and ready to respond. These churches have provided evacuation, shelter, food, emotional support, and spiritual hope. Generations Mission Association continues to support churches throughout Ukraine in their ministry to the needy, in relief efforts, and witness to Jesus through word and deed.

Summit Missions International is involved in the work of the Generations Mission Association through funding, sponsorship of church planters, and providing resources for training conferences and workshops.

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