Missionary work in Ukraine

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     Bear Valley Bible Institute Ukraine (BVBIU) began in 1997 and was the first extension institute of the Bear Valley program.  For the first ten years of existence, BVBIU was located in the city of Kramatorsk. It changed locations when a large facility was given to us and from 2007-2014, and we operated from the eastern Ukraine town of Gorlovka. 

     Unfortunately, war came to Ukraine and the building was taken over by separatists.  After fleeing and eventually settling in central Ukraine (Bila Tserkva), the Lord saw to it that BVBIU was able to continue every year thereafter.  However, once again, war has fallen again upon Ukraine (2022-present) and BVBIU has been forced to relocate, initially to the town of Chernivtsy, but is now online. 

     Thanks be to God, the Bible Institute continues to operate.  The focus remains to train men to become preachers, mirroring the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, and all other Bear Valley extension schools.  It cannot be understated how many have been trained since 1997 and continue to spread the Gospel with sound doctrine.            

Dennis Sopelnik, a wonderful brother in Christ, has been the Director of BVBIU since 2010.  After graduating from BVBIU in 2005, Dennis began participating in the program and showed a lot of potential.  He then went on to obtain his Master’s Degree from BVBIU and began teaching full-time.  Dennis has earned the respect of the students and instructors at BVBIU and his stable presence has been a big plus for the Church and has proven himself as a very capable leader / recruiter / preacher.  Dennis is married to his wife, Vera, and they have three daughters.

The Rapid City church of Christ (Rapid City, SD) is the overseeing congregation for BVBIU.  Terry Harmon serves as the full-time preacher, but also has much interaction with the work of BVBIU, both in contacting Dennis Sopelnik and teaching classes from time to time.