Factors advancing or limiting evangelical mission in Ukraine

This research project sought to understand what factors that either advanced or limited evangelistic ministry in Ukraine. To approach the research three primary sectors of inquiry were used to guide the entire project: the theological context in Ukraine, the cultural-historical circumstance in Ukraine, and the relational parameters between Ukrainians and expatriate missionaries. A review of the problem was established that highlighted why the research was important. Recent literature on the subject was searched and reviewed for relevance to the investigation.The heart of the research incorporated a qualitative narrative methodology. The narrative method fit the research well because it recovered vital data directly from those experienced in evangelistic ministry. The factors that are affecting evangelism in Ukraine were told through the story of those experienced in the ministry of evangelism. The specific means to obtain the narrative for the research involved conducting interviews with eight experienced evangelists in Ukraine. These interviews were conducted with evangelists with a wealth of experience in various contexts of ministry.The results demonstrated that Ukrainian evangelism is benefitted by an historic foundation of Christian religion based upon fundamental theological awareness. This is assisted much through Orthodoxy. There is also aid to evangelistic ministry by theological influence from the West. This has come by literature translation, training, and personal influence. Factors associated with theological influence that challenge evangelism involved the pervasiveness of religious traditions and holidays, and the dangerous teachings from charismatic cults.The specific content of an evangelist was an important inquiry of the research. This revealed that forms of mass evangelization are currently ineffective. What was highlighted as most effective for successful evangelism was ministry that incorporated personal relationships and work with children and youth.Important factors associated with history and culture also were investigated. The historic events that impact evangelistic ministry the most are those which involve suffering. The highlighted events were the fall of the Soviet Union and the recent crises in Kiev and Eastern Ukraine. These events perpetuate the experience of suffering and provide opportunities for evangelism. The evangelists characterized their people as open and friendly and demonstrated that this provides easy access to evangelistic opportunity. However, there was also acknowledgment that people are changing and becoming less accessible due to war and crime.Relations between Ukrainians and expatriate missionaries formed a very important theme for the research. Inquiry into this discovered that evangelicals in Ukraine are very grateful for the help they have received from brothers and sisters elsewhere. Much has been accomplished in literature distribution, training, and humanitarian aid. All of these and more facilitate advance for evangelism. There were some issues with relationships that caused concern and these were viewed as challenges to evangelism. These issues were generally mild and usually pertained to church administration. The most frustrating issue for pastors in Ukraine involved the loss of members from their congregations through the assistance of expatriates.