Meet the Irpin Church That Never Closed Its Doors
HOPE AND REBUILDING
As a conclusion to this month’s series of highlighting our Ukrainian partners on the ground, we want to bring you a story of hope and of rebuilding. The world reeled in shock following the liberation of the Kyiv regions of Irpin, Bucha, and Gostomel (Hostomel) from Russian occupation and the discovery of the war crimes perpetrated in the region. While much of the population had fled, one church in Irpin chose not to close its doors since the start of the war - Irpin Baptist Church (IBC).
“THERE ISN’T GOING TO BE A WAR, IT’S THE 21st CENTURY”
One week prior to the start of the war, Orest Panasiuk, 28, was having a conversation with his wife: “Nadysh [Nadia], this is the twenty-first century, there isn’t going to be a war, and if there is, it’ll be in the east. Even if they go to Kyiv, we’re [safe] here in Irpin.” The next day, after reading a few news articles, Orest asked himself, “What if it’s true? What if there really will be a war?”
As a precaution, Orest made the decision to relocate his wife and four-year old daughter to his in-law’s home in the west. “I believe the thoughts that led me to take this action were placed there by the Lord, because the day before, I had been convinced there wouldn’t be a war.” 6 days later, on February 24th, his wife Nadia called him to tell him that the war had begun. Gostomel, just five minutes away from where he was located in Irpin, was being bombed.
That day, he contacted his church, Irpin Baptist Church and told them he would be on call to provide any kind of help that was needed. A group of pastors and leaders was quickly formed. Within the first few days of war, the team received 3,000 phone calls per day, from residents asking for help. The team evacuated hundreds of people per day to western Ukraine and about 300 would shelter in the basement of their church per night.
HOW IBC HELPS
Currently, the core team of volunteers at IBC is 15 members, who oversee a rotating group of 50-70 more volunteers. They serve the city of Irpin and the surrounding areas of Bucha and Gostomel. Primarily, their efforts include:
Feeding 300 people daily, three hot meals + providing “to-go” food bags (with hygienic and medicinal items included)
Providing mattresses and pillows to people whose homes have burned down and who are living in basements
Delivering food and basic necessities to residents of the city who aren’t able to come on their own
Maintaining a humanitarian aid hub of clothing and supplies
Rebuilding the city with small teams of construction crews that provide emergency damage control (insulating with plastic coverings, restoring roofs & windows)
Facilitating a social gathering they’ve dubbed “svetlitsa” (coming from the word “light”) which acts not only as a charging station (since many are still without electricity), but also as a time of fellowship, watching The Chosen together, and prayer and encouragement
ALL FOUR SIDES DAMAGED BUT CHURCH INTACT
Orest talked about God’s provision and protection of their work. One day, five missiles had been sent into the region of their church. One missile burned up a car in the parking lot. Two more missiles hit windows of surrounding buildings, and three fell off course and missed their mark. There were damaged buildings surrounding all four sides of the church - but the church itself was left standing, completely untouched.
Additionally, Orest shared “70% of the city was under Russian occupation, but the neighborhood we were in was still free. One street over, one hundred meters from us, we could see Russian tanks and hear the activity of the soldiers.”
“THE SOUND OF CHILDREN’S LAUGHTER HAS RETURNED”
The residents of Irpin have experienced unimaginable atrocities, and seventy percent of the city has been destroyed, yet about twenty percent of the population has come back to rebuild. “The city is coming back to life and the sound of children’s laughter has returned,” Orest shares. This week, pharmacies and grocery stores have begun reopening.