Ukrainian Bible Studies Flourishing, Growing at “Incredible” Speed

An Ukrainian Parliamentarian has linked arms with Capitol Ministries to strengthen and replicate the prayer group for political leaders that he began more than a decade ago, and the results are nothing short of astounding.

Pavlo (Pavel) Unguryan, an Evangelical Christian and prominent conservative political leader, began a prayer group to his colleagues in 2008, shortly after being elected to the Ukrainian Parliament.

And last year, after learning about the Capitol Ministries mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arena of the world, he joined CM and has helped birth discipleship Bible studies to the Ukrainian Parliament, members of the Ukraine President’s administration, and one that is scheduled to launch for the Cabinet of Ministers.

Additionally, hundreds of Bible studies have been birthed to local and regional political leaders, and they are continuing to multiply as word of them spreads and catches fire.

“Capitol Ministries is a brilliant chance to enhance and grow evangelism and discipleship among political leaders and officials,” Unguryan said. “We embraced the models set forth by Capitol Ministries because we understood the importance of multiplying Bible study groups in our huge post-communist country.”

“Such a mission is new to Ukraine.

The natural growth of the Bible Study movement across the entire Ukraine is the incredible response. It is God’s blessing.”

Ralph Drollinger, President and Founder of Capitol Ministries said: “We are so blessed by our partnership with Pavel! He has grown his ministry in Ukraine much faster than we’ve been able to here in the U.S.!”

Unguryan said he wanted to join with Capitol Ministries because of the ministry’s extensive experience working with political officials and meeting their spiritual needs, as well as the systematic approach and in-depth materials that have been developed for birthing Bible studies at all levels.

“Ukrainian lawmakers see and realize the healing, wisdom, and impact that studying the Bible brings into their lives and also in the state and city councils where they take place,” Unguryan said.

“It often brings peace among people from different parties while the story of Jesus produces humility and even tears on the eyes of the Members.

“The majority of people who attend the Bible Study and Prayer groups across the country have never read the Bible in their lives, so pondering over Scripture is a life-changing experience. Indeed, faith comes from hearing.”

The Parliamentary Bible study is led by Pastor Nickolay Skopych who is part of the Ukraine Baptist Union.

Unguryan well understands the importance of discipleship Bible studies at all levels of government, as the prayer group he began 11 years ago has grown to become important to the welfare of citizens and the development of policy in his nation.

Unguryan began that Parliamentary prayer group because his forefathers had been persecuted for their faith in Christ during the Soviet Union occupation, and he believed it was important to bring the Word of God to the Parliament which, at that time, still had many Communist strongholds.

Over the course of 11 years, the prayer group became a spiritual and ideological core for the creation of the Interparty Parliamentary Caucus “For Spirituality, Morality and Health of Ukraine” which today unites more than 100 parliamentarians from all parties and different religious denominations around these vital issues, with a focus on legislation.

Since 2008, Caucus members have developed bills aimed at protecting the moral, spiritual, and physical health of the nation, freedom of conscience, promoting family and spiritual values, forming youth, social, family, educational policies, fighting drug addiction, AIDS, immorality, child homelessness, and other social problems.

Unguryan met Ralph and Danielle Drollinger in 2017 through the efforts of Oleg Rachkovski, Capitol Ministries’ Director of Eurasia who is charged with growing Capitol Ministries in Europe and Asia.

Last year, Unguryan and several others successfully completed Capitol Ministries training in the United States.

Under Rachkovski’s direction, Drollinger’s most recent book, Oaks in Office, Biblical essays for political leaders, has been translated into Russian and is being used as the curriculum for the Ukrainian Bible studies.

Oaks in Office is a compilation of 52 Bible studies, one for every week. Specifically written for political leaders, the essays deliver in-depth Bible teaching, counsel Public Servants on how to grow in the Word and persevere through trials, as well as biblical perspectives of timeless crucial public policy issues such as illegal immigration, deficit
spending and the remedy to racism.

“Our goals are to take the Gospel and initiate Bible study groups in all areas of our society such as law enforcement, judiciary, healthcare system, education etc,” Unguryan said. “That is the fastest way to enforce law and bring a true transformation to Ukraine.”

Drollinger said the Ukrainian Bible studies provide the exemplar that can be replicated across Europe.

“Pavel’s ministry model and his relationships with colleagues in surrounding countries is enabling us to expand CM into other nations,” Drollinger said.