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Kiev Church Defies Expectations
10 September 2007
The Hillsong church in Kiev continues to grow and demonstrate what faith can do in a very uncertain environment.
On a visit to the church last weekend, Mal Fletcher discovered again a group of people who are committed to changing the culture for a generation to come.
Most people remember the Orange Revolution which saw the government of the Ukraine move to a more European-friendly place, after years under Soviet rule, followed by communist-friendly local government.
Today, though, the Ukraine and its capital are once again in the midst of political change and uncertainty. Many people feel disillusioned about the process of change they set in motion a few years ago.
Christian leaders like pastors Zhenya and Vera Kasevich have a strong sense of where their capital and the nation could go under God. And they have the determination to build a church which will be a force for good for generations to come.
In just a few years, the Hillsong Kiev Church has grown to more than 4000 people, with over 3000 attending every Sunday. Every Sunday, hundreds of people packed the five services, to hear relevant teaching and experience passionate worship.
The leadership have also now planted a church in Moscow, which after just a few months is attracting around 150 people every Sunday.
After his most recent visit to the city -- his fifth -- Mal Fletcher said: 'I can't speak highly enough of what Zhenya and Vera and their team are doing here. To walk off the streets of Kiev into an environment of such powerful faith and love of the people is amazing. I am committed to helping build this church for the long haul -- mainly because I believe you make God famous only when you do things that people aay can't be done, in his name. And that's what Hillsong Kiev are doing.'
Mal spoke in four services over the day, with many coming to faith in Christ. The church, which holds its services in an auditorium in the city centre, is moving this week into its new office facility, complete with Bible college training facility and media editing suites. For more on this exciting church, click here, or visit www.hillsong.com.ua.
Note: The Hillsong Europe conference comes to London on October 8-13. For details, or to book your place, click here or visit www.hillsong.co.uk.
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