Photo: The Ivano-Frankivsk Church meets and discusses the special focus on evangelism!
April 2026
The month of April 2026 will be forever etched in our memories. On April 1, Jennifer woke me, saying her head was “exploding.” She thought it was just a bad headache and would not go to the doctor. The next day, Johnny and I called EMS, and she went to the hospital, where we were told she had suffered a major brain bleed of 9mm. Few survive that magnitude of brain bleed. Following surgery, other complications arose, and she was in a hospital bed for 23 days with nothing by mouth to eat or drink. She is officially diagnosed with “left side neglect” involving memory, vision, and motor movements on the left side. The 23 days in the hospital bed atrophied all muscle strength. Finally, the attending physicians said she was past danger and could be released from the hospital. Currently, she is in the Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital in Montgomery, AL. Following discharge from Encompass, she will go to Columba, TN, and have 2-3 weeks of intensive therapy with Brian and his Therapy Clinics. After the Columbia, TN stint, she will return to Montgomery for final therapy clinics. All activities during April were 24/7 focused on Jennifer’s hospitalization. Thanks to Johnny, Monica, Marley, and Tenley, the daily mountains to climb were scaled. Shaun, Rachel, Brian, and Bekah have kept I-65 running hot, doing more than possible to assist.
My spring mission trip was postponed. The tickets were already bought, and the scheduled actions were confirmed. I was days away from leaving. Thankfully, Gif was able to cancel the tickets by rescheduling the departure, and the money was not lost. Tanya was able to cancel the reservations and appointments that had been set. All was uncertain until the last few days, when Jennifer’s discharge from Encompass became a greater possibility (the discharge is still not an absolute certainty; it is closer than it was). The extended therapy offered by Brian’s Columbia PT clinics allows the assistance of Jennifer’s family to help as needed. This provides a window for me to seize the opportunity to go and address critical needs, and for others who are anxious to assist Jennifer.
Below is Gif’s update from April. It is very encouraging as it shows the emphasis on evangelism in the Ivano-Frankivsk congregation. My trip was to have coincided with Avery, Jared, and Whitney, and I was looking forward to adding emphasis to the evangelistic lessons. That plan was interrupted as I could not go, but the other three did an outstanding job. Read their reports and rejoice.
I continue to rejoice that Gif is present and active in Ivano-Frankivsk. He is “soul-conscious.” He is totally different from the previous attitude that “the preacher” has to decide who is “spiritual enough” to obey the gospel! THANK YOU GIF!!
John
Ivano-Frankivsk Church of Christ Update – April 2026
Hello there!
We have had a busy start to the spring in Ivano-Frankivsk! The winter blizzard lasted through most of February and finally melted around mid-March. But even though we have had warm enough weather to melt the snow, it still has not been “warm” yet. At this rate, I expect spring weather will arrive just in time for winter to begin. The cold weather has not deterred the work here. However, since the Great Melting, people have come out of their homes and can move around much more easily, so we’ve been able to get a lot done. Our main goal in March was to prepare for several American visitors to arrive in April. Once April finally rolled around, we hosted Avery Hackney, Jared and Whitney Kelly, and John Durham for different activities. Avery, Jared, and Whitney have all been here 3–4 times previously, and John has been here too many times to count! It was a nice addition to have their presence for a few weeks after such a long winter.
One of the main goals of the visit was to host an evangelism class for the Church here. As we have been discussing the spiritual growth of individuals over the last several months, it is time to turn our focus outward and encourage people to begin sharing the story of Jesus with their friends. For several nights, our visitors hosted a class that was part lesson, part discussion/ question and answers session. As someone who has attended and even taught several different classes in this location, I can confidently say this was the best class we have had in many years. The Church members are ready to evangelize and need guidelines and motivation for how to do so. Thanks to this class, they are now well-equipped! In addition, those who have been visiting have started asking serious questions about being baptized after these classes. They are studying and thinking, and I imagine soon they will make the decision!
We also had some time to visit some different community centers for volunteer work to assist in war relief efforts. We continued the usual English classes. These classes are very beneficial for promoting the Church in the community, as our presence in these places continues to build our reputation and allows people to ask questions and receive more information. Bringing a small group of Americans to these places also makes it quite memorable for everyone there, so that when I run into them in the city, or visit them again on my own, they know both who I am and who I represent, which is incredibly useful.
John Durham joined us as well, though his focus was mostly on working with King Daniel University and the Galaxy Center. Still, the Church was encouraged by his presence at the classes and also the sermon he preached before he left. John has made many contacts through the years, and due to that, many people visit when he preaches purely because he invites them. It’s a great lesson for us all!
These visits were an excellent start to the spring season, and I believe there will be great fruits from it in the coming months. I’ll let the others tell you from their perspectives as well!
-Gif
Jared Kelly
It’s been 2 years since I’ve been in Ukraine, and it’s so good to be back! This year, we taught an evangelism seminar for the Church in Ivano-Frankivsk. Avery would lead the lessons, and then I would lead the Church in discussion following the lessons. The Church members asked many great questions, and they were eager to learn and encouraged to continue sharing the message. We got good feedback from them on the lessons, and I think we eased some of their fears that come with evangelism. While we were there, we were also involved with helping organize some humanitarian aid that would go to help people near and on the front lines. It’s been a very cold winter, and Ukrainians are very grateful for many of the warm clothes that have been donated. We were also involved in teaching classes at the local high school and University. It was a wonderful opportunity, as always, to meet young people and to let them know we are there because we love them and care for them. I pray our efforts while there will encourage others to join the great harvest of souls in Ukraine. Continue to pray for an end to the war soon!
Whitney Kelly
We had a wonderful third trip to Ivano-Frankivsk! It was so good to see old friends and meet new faces at the Church! We had our nightly bible study with the congregation, taught English in the high school, sorted and sent clothes to the front lines, and made anti-drone nets to help protect soldiers and people from drone attacks. The women helping to make the nets have been displaced from all over the country but have found community in each other and in making these nets. Many use their lunch break to come and help for an hour to try and make a difference. The Ukrainian people are strong, kind, and welcoming in a way that truly needs to be experienced to be understood.
Avery Hackney
Serving in Ukraine has been both a humbling and deeply rewarding experience. Despite the many challenges the country continues to face, the faith and resilience of the people have been a constant source of encouragement. The hunger for truth and the openness to the Gospel are evident in both personal conversations and group gatherings. It has been a privilege to witness how God is working in hearts, even in difficult circumstances.
One of the primary focuses of this trip has been teaching night classes on evangelism for the congregation. These classes have brought together believers who are eager to grow in their ability to share their faith effectively. Through Scripture, practical training, and discussion, we have explored how to communicate the Gospel clearly and compassionately. Many participants have expressed a renewed confidence and boldness in teaching others in their communities.
In addition to teaching, a significant part of the ministry has been encouraging the brethren. Fellowship has been especially meaningful, as the congregation encourages each other. The unity and perseverance of the Church here are inspiring, and it is evident that God is sustaining His people.
Overall, this trip has been a powerful reminder that the Gospel continues to advance, even in the midst of uncertainty. Your prayers and support have made this work possible, and we are grateful to be involved in what God is doing in Ukraine.
Volunteering, humanitarian aid, and teaching English are big parts of the work here that keep us connected.
Encouraging classes and worship services for the Church have been very productive for the last two months.
Gif’s PDF report is here:
Thank you for your continuing financial support in my efforts!
John L. Kachelman, Jr., Dalraida Church of Christ, UKRAINE MISSIONS, P. O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
