Hope Heats Ukraine: €800,000 Raised to Bring Warmth, Hope, and Community

After another difficult winter marked by war, displacement, and attacks on critical infrastructure, the European Baptist Federation's Hope Heats Ukraine appeal has officially come to an end, and we would love to share about it as a testimony of God's goodness and share a few stories. Thanks to an extraordinary response from Baptist unions, churches, organisations, and individual supporters across Europe and beyond, the campaign has raised a total of €800,000 to support churches and communities throughout Ukraine.

The appeal initially raised €681,020.33, while the Slavic Gospel Association contributed an additional €46,000 directly to the Ukrainian Baptist Union (UBU). Together with further contributions, the European Baptist Federation rounded the total support to €800,000.

Beyond financial support, the campaign also built meaningful relationships across borders. Eighty-five Ukrainian churches were paired with supporting churches and individuals committed to praying for them and standing with them in solidarity.

This has truly been a shared effort—from larger organisations and unions to local churches and individuals. Every gift, every prayer, and every act of encouragement has made a difference.

Churches Serving Communities

Through the project, approximately 400 churches and Christian institutions across Ukraine received support to serve their local communities during the winter months. Churches established warm aid points, provided practical assistance during power outages, distributed humanitarian aid, and offered psychosocial and spiritual support to people affected by the ongoing war.

The project reached around 480,000 people, including children, families, internally displaced persons, older adults, and others facing the daily realities of conflict.

As attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continued throughout the winter, churches became places of refuge where people could find warmth, charge phones, access hot drinks, receive practical support, and connect with others.

For many families, these church buildings became places of resilience and hope. One family shared:

"During these cold days, when the power was out for 19 hours and it was only 13 degrees at home, we couldn't keep the children warm. You organized this place of resilience. After school, we would come here—drink warm tea, warm up, do our homework, and charge lamps, phones, and batteries. We sincerely thank you for your work."

The project also supported children's clubs and camps, mentoring groups, support groups for families affected by war, Bible studies, and pastoral care ministries. What began as practical assistance often became an opportunity for churches to build relationships, offer encouragement, and share the hope of Christ.

Stories of Hope

Iryna, displaced from Eastern Ukraine

When the full-scale invasion began, Iryna fled her home with her children and arrived in Poltava as an internally displaced person. Through a local Baptist church, she found practical support, community, and spiritual encouragement.

"We came to the church for our daily bread, and we also found spiritual bread. We were accepted as family."

After later losing her husband in the war, Iryna found comfort through church support groups and now continues helping others who have experienced loss.

Ruslan, Kherson Region

Ruslan directs a sports school for children with disabilities in the Kherson region. His home has been destroyed three times by shelling, and he and his wife now live with neighbours while rebuilding what remains.

"We have the opportunity to be in a warm room of the church, where there is a generator and you can charge phones or lanterns and collect boiling water. We feel that we are not left alone with our problems."

Despite the challenges, Ruslan continues serving children and his local community.

Valentyna, Refugee in Transcarpathia

Valentyna, a 71-year-old widow, was forced to leave her home because of the war. Since arriving in Transcarpathia, she has been living in accommodation provided by a local church.

"Thanks to the help of the church, I have a place to live, warmth, and all the necessary conditions for a decent life. I also receive food and spiritual support."

Her story reflects the experience of thousands of vulnerable people who found care, dignity, and community through local churches this winter.

A Witness of Hope

For Ukrainian Baptist churches, the project was about far more than winterization. It was an opportunity to demonstrate God's love in practical ways and strengthen communities fractured by war.

Churches provided shelter, warmth, food, social support, children's activities, prayer, and pastoral care. In many communities, they became trusted places where people could find safety, comfort, and belonging.

The Ukrainian Baptist Union reports that over the past four years, many people have heard the Gospel, come to faith, and become part of local churches through these ministries of compassion and service.

As the appeal concludes, the needs in Ukraine remain significant. Yet the partnership between churches across Europe and Ukrainian congregations continues to be a powerful witness of faith, generosity, and hope.

The European Baptist Federation expresses its sincere gratitude to every union, church, organisation, and individual who contributed financially, prayed faithfully, and stood alongside Ukraine during this challenging season.

Together, we have not only provided warmth through another winter – we have helped sustain hope.