Sasha Savich Visits Our Home

Last Thursday evening Julie and I hosted a get-together for friends who support my mentoring ministry to Ukraine pastors. The guests were invited to meet Sasha (Aleksandr) Savich, Pastor of Calvary Church, Lutsk, Ukraine.

Sasha is on a 4 week tour of U.S. cities and churches to speak about his life and ministry in Lutsk. He spent a week in Philadelphia, PA speaking at a Ukrainian youth camp with his fellow pastor from Lutsk, Pasha Myronuk. Sasha's grandfather (on his mother's side) came to the U.S. years ago and settled in Philadelphia. Sasha spent 31/2 days with us in Grand Rapids and visited Brightside Community Church, Bella Vista Church, and the church I serve--Fellowship Evangelical Covenant Church. He left this morning for Houston, TX, visiting good friends there.

We welcomed about 25 guests who came Thursday to meet Sasha, learn more about his ministry and to enjoy some excellent food prepared by Julie. Some folks have been giving to the Ukraine ministry since I began. It was fun having friends from Bella Vista Church and Fellowship Evangelical Covenant Church hang out for a few hours. Our deck became delightfully crowded as we all enjoyed an almost perfect Michigan evening.

I count it a privilege to know Sasha and serve with him to strengthen the missional churches in Ukraine--churches that have a passion to express the Gospel in word and compassionate deed.

"A new world needs a new church. Ukraine in a new world."