Raising leaders and relieving suffering in Ukraine
Responding to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the Ukrainian people
Responding to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the Ukrainian people
UBTS Mission
Train and develop leaders for the church
WeCare Centers Mission
Serve the people who will rebuild Ukraine
Biblical
Love God and love our neighbors
Missional
Express love by being of service to all people
Accountable
Fulfill our responsibilities to God and others with wisdom and integrity
L’viv, Ukraine
The Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS) was founded in Boryslav in 2000 and relocated to L’viv in 2012 under the leadership of President Slavik Pyzh, Ph.D. Its primary mission is to train and develop Ukrainian church leaders for the many roles required to maintain a healthy and viable church and to train lay leaders who serve their communities beyond the church walls.
Over 1,000 students are currently enrolled in various UBTS academic programs that are continuing, despite the disruption of war. When necessary, students meet for classes in the underground area of the classroom building, which serves as a bomb shelter.
The UBTS Institute for Leadership trains people seeking to be effective leaders in business, government, education, and other marketplace or nonprofit positions where they can apply their interests, talents, and skills. Currently, 775 students are enrolled in the Institute. Enrollment in the Institute’s training program is required for WeCare Center leaders.
Each UBTS degree or certificate program enrolls a cohort group of students who attend classes together in L’viv for one-week periods throughout the year and return home in the interim periods to continue their studies and field work. All UBTS students are taught and guided by BMA Values.
Recognizing how Ukraine’s shattered economy is impacting students and their families, UBTS has waived tuition costs for most students. Your support will help UBTS students continue their studies.
Located throughout Ukraine
UBTS launched a comprehensive humanitarian aid effort on the first day of the war. This led to the development of a network of WeCare Centers throughout Ukraine. These are nonprofit, non-governmental (NGO) platforms where local and international organizations work together to relieve suffering and rebuild vibrant communities. They are designed to unite and assist the three pillars of every community – churches, civic agencies, and local government – to help alleviate the physical deprivation and emotional pain of Ukrainians, especially women, children, and the elderly who have been displaced from their homes by the war.
WeCare Centers provide the vital services most needed in the communities where they are located. This includes food aid and other essential daily living supplies, medical care, workforce training, trauma counseling, spiritual care, legal aid, schooling, rebuilding damaged homes, and other emerging needs.
These centers of help and hope are crucial now to alleviate today’s extreme suffering – and will be essential to help restore communities when the war ends.
Each WeCare Center’s local leaders receive training from the UBTS Institute of Leadership and are guided by BMA Values. WeCare Centers also agree to operational and financial oversight from a separate WeCare NGO that was established by UPF and UBTS and is led by Slavik Pyzh, Ph.D. This structure, which includes counsel and service from American experts, is designed to assure integrity and efficiency. Your support will enable us to continue meeting critical needs.
UBTS students enrolled in Seminary classes
Students enrolled in UBTS Leadership Institute classes
Partners supporting all WeCare Centers
People served at all WeCare Centers in the last month