"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer

Anyone familiar with beekeeping knows that a particular event takes place among bees in the summer. Specifically, within a beehive, which can house hundreds or even thousands of bees, a moment arises when a portion of the bees separates and flies out. This occurs when the bee family is healthy, not weakened, and capable of independent growth. When there are so many bees that space becomes tight, a swarm, or a new colony, is formed. This is a natural process of reproduction, allowing the bees’ territory to expand.

We intentionally told you about bees that leave the parent hive to draw a parallel with an event that once took place at the First Ukrainian Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington (referred to hereafter as F.U.B. Church). There came a time when over eight hundred people gathered in the existing House of Worship for services, and many felt the space was getting tight. It is a wonderful thing when a church fills to such a degree that there’s a need to consider expansion. Thus, the opportunity arose to establish a new church.

At the beginning of 2007, a group of brothers was formed, who, with the leadership’s consent at F.U.B. Church, began working on establishing a new church. During one of the services, this group of brothers was introduced to the congregation, and a prayer of blessing was held for the labor of creating a new church. Church members were given a month to reflect and pray. At the end of this period, a list was formed for the new church, consisting of 120 individuals who voluntarily chose to join the new congregation February 11, 2007.

On June 10, 2007, a ceremonial event took place — the ordination of brothers for ministry in the newly formed church. Brothers Leonid Lytushko and Andrii Pashchuk were ordained for pastoral ministry, while Brother Pavlo Zynych was ordained as a deacon.

The ordination was conducted by Brother Ihor Zaviriukha, Chairman of the Western Ukrainian Evangelical-Baptist Association, USA; Brother Konstantyn Kachmarchyk, pastor of F.U.B. Church in Seattle; and Pastor Oleksandr Kovalchuk of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Everett.

Currently, the responsible pastor for the ministry is Brother Oleksandr Gritsayuk.

Brother Mykola Vasylchuk also serves in the pastoral ministry.

Pastor and counselor: Pavlo Stolyarenko

Youth Leader: Pavlo Zhdanov

The deacon ministry is carried out by Brothers Mykola Vdovenko, Mykola Zinchuk, Yurii Bidzilia, Serhii Piliuhin, Alik Bidzilia, Borys Pastukh, Oles Lytushko, and Vitalii Tretiak.

At the beginning of our story, we mentioned the bees. In Ukrainian folklore, there is a saying: “Industrious as bees.” Bees are God’s creation. It’s no coincidence that people say we should learn diligence, friendship, and communication from bees. So, let the bee family be a good example for us Christians, teaching us readiness to work in the Lord’s field, as well as unity, mutual patience, humility, and brotherly love.

THIS IS HOW WE STARTEDvideo ) LIFE OF THE CHURCH 2022video clip )

WE are part of the Western Ukrainian Baptist Association (WUBC)

Want to learn more?

We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below to get started.