Dima Polischuk and his ministry in Ukraine

When we moved to Vinnytsia, Ukraine 10 years ago from Ternopil, there were very few people that we knew there. A couple of Ukrainians came with us to help start this brand-new church. It was the third church "plant" we had been involved with. Shortly after arriving, news about our church began to spread and we met some of the locals who had been searching for a church that matched what they were looking for. We met Dima, his wife and those 3 beautiful children you see in the picture and were very blessed to have them come alongside us.

As time went on, we got to know Dima better and better and it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was working in his life. We had some good discussions about the Bible and were like "iron sharpening iron". He worked hard to provide for his family and was often going the extra distance to help anywhere that he could. Over the years, Dima has distinguished himself as a man who loves everyone and I'd say that this is what summarizes who Dima is. It didn't matter what other church, social circle or nation they were from - it was obvious that his love didn't have boundaries. He was teaching (and still does teach) the children's Sunday school, led the home group that we had in our home and organized virtually all of the social projects that our church was involved with in town. After some years had passed, our pastor at the time appointed him as an elder along with two other men from our fellowship. The church all agreed that this was a calling on his life.

Then the war happened and much changed. We had already made plans to leave and start a new church months before and left knowing that the church was in good hands. During the following months, Dima and our other elders faithfully led the church and still do to this day. Our pastor at the time came back to Ukraine during the last summer and officially anointed Dima to be the leading pastor of the church.

With the war's effects being felt all over the world, this also affected Dima who continues to have a burden for others and goes forward to meet those needs. With his working hours being reduced, he first focused on ensuring that our church was taken care of but knew there was more he could do and this is where we turn to you, friends, for help.

Here is how he plans to use these funds. In all areas, his overarching desire is to use these efforts to share the gospel with those inside and outside of the church:

Because Ukraine is not one of the official countries that GoFundMe works with, Dima will be unable to connect his bank with this donation system directly. Therefore, you should know that we, Tim and Christina Emerson, will be receiving any funds donated here personally and that 110% (we will match all donations with 10% of our own) of what we receive here will make its way to Dima through means of a wire transfer and donation records will be available upon request.

There are many worthy causes right now in Ukraine that we work with and this is one that we would personally love to see flourish. It's part of our history and we would greatly enjoy seeing the gospel spread all around the Vinnytsia region. Dima has been, for the most part, fueling his own ministry work for nearly the entire last year and this has been a limiting factor - so much more can be done. If you are able, we encourage you to donate, even if it is a small amount, and help this dream of his to become a reality.

Yet, more than this, we ask you to pray for Dima and for Ukraine in general. God is doing incredible things through this man already and we know that He will continue to do so. If we can find a way, Dima will post updates here as things unfold for them so that you can pray with us and follow along on this path that God has him and his family on, so please keep checking back to know how to pray. Even if Dima is unable, I will forward anything on his behalf to keep you informed.