Meet Pastor Edik
In this month’s CIM Ministries newsletter we introduce Pastor Edik, our supported pastor in the Roma Community of Serednye in Ukraine.
Pastor Edik was born in Russia on May 7, 1972. Immediately after his birth the parents moved to Ukraine, Uzhhorod district, to the village of Serednye, where they live to this day. He married his wife Lesya and gave birth to 8 children. Four of their children live with their families in Serednye with Edik and Lesya.
As a child, Edik lived a sinful lifestyle. He stole, and extorted money from people. Alcohol became a downfall in his life. It destroyed his health and Edik got very ill.
However, the Lord had mercy on him and eventually Edik accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour. In 2005 he was baptized and later dedicated himself to the Lord’s work. Currently, he serves the Lord as the leader of the church in Serednye. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, their church received a lot of war refugees from the Roma population.
Though serving in the environment in Serednye is especially difficult during war times, Pastor Edik continues to be faithful to the ministry of the Lord, sharing God’s love, and caring for the people in his community.
Pastor Vlad (CIM supported worker to the Romas) also gives his latest update from Ukraine:
Thank you for your support and prayers for the Roma ministry! Thank you so much for your dedicated prayers for our country and peace for our people.
We continue to live and serve in difficult challenges. Thank God, the churches continue to serve and worship the Lord. Every church leader serves the Lord and serves people.
Pastor Edik from Serednye joined the trips to the east to visit people affected by the war. He travels with other brothers, bringing food and things for the affected families.
Thank God that he has a desire to serve other people.
Pastor Ruslan and his wife returned to Ukraine and continue to serve in the Pirogova Camp with Valeriy. I am glad that this church has a pastor again. I was worried about it when they were left without a pastor. Valeriy is a good man; he serves and loves people.
I continue to train Roma leaders. Please pray that they will love God more and strive to follow the Gospel. Pray that the leaders will realize their responsibility to lead the church to God's values.
Pray for our people and for victory. Many are tired; many have died with physical disabilities. We believe that the Lord has not abandoned Ukraine.
Please pray for my family, that the Lord would strengthen us to continue to serve in various challenges.
Thank you very much, and I am glad to serve together and know you. May the Lord bless you!
Pastor Vasya (Director for House of Mercy) gives an update us on the water situation at the Piragova Roma Camp:
Dear friends, brothers and sisters in СIM.
This message concerns the Piragova Roma camp in Uzhhorod. The leader of the church is Valeriy Terpak, who is supported by СIM. This Roma camp arose about 40 years ago on the site of the Uzhhorod city landfill. It is "built" on garbage: garbage a few meters underground. Therefore, there is no possibility to drill a well underground for water supply. Many years ago, House of Mercy resolved this issue by laying a pipeline and attaching the camp to the city's water supply. But, due to a large debt, the camp was disconnected (cut off) from the city water supply. For about a month, dozens of families and a large number of children have suffered without clean drinking water. They are forced to travel long distances to find water. To reconnect the water supply we need 4700 US dollars. We appeal to you for any possible help. We are sincerely grateful in advance! Blessings!
On a brighter note, once again we were able to deliver Christmas gifts to the Roma children through donations. Though some Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on December 25, many Roma communities still observe Orthodox Christmas on January 7. The smiles on the faces of the children brought joy to our hearts. Even in the midst of war, the story of Jesus Christ continues to bring hope.
Update from Ghana:
Our international worker, Janice and her family will be in Canada for home assignment from June-September. Her tentative plans are to rest in June, travel to the Lower Mainland in BC for July to share at churches, travel to Ontario and Quebec for August, and to speak in churches in Alberta in September. If your church or small group would like to invite Janice to speak, please email us at cimcanadaoffice@gmail.com and we can work together to set up a time.
As of mid-January, civil conflict broke out in the town of Nkwanta where CIM supported Pastor Gideon lives. The conflict between local tribes have been going on for a few years but things have gotten much worse. Pastor Gideon reported to us that lots of gunshots can be heard throughout the night and almost all of his church members have fled back to their home villages. Though the military has moved in, and there is a curfew between 8 pm to 6 am, the situation remains fluid and serious.
To subscribe to our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@cimcanada1148
We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/cimcanada/
To read our International Worker Janice’s blogs.
https://www.cimcanada.org/janice-ministry-updates
Rev. Isaac Quan
Executive Director for CIM Ministries
January Financials 2025
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar
Pray With Us:
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. The invasion rages on and innocent lives are lost each day. Pray for House of Mercy as they take care of refugees, physically and spiritually. Pray for Pastor Edik and his family as he leads the Roma church in Serednye. Pray that the Piragova Roma Camp will have their water supply reconnected.
Pray for guidance and direction for our next steps for our Roma Ministry. Pray for the planning of sending an exploratory STM team to North Macedonia and Serbia in September.
Pray for the pastors and teachers that we support in Ghana. Pray for fruitful ministry and God’s provision for each pastor’s family needs. Pray for a peaceful resolution for the situation in Nkwanta.
Pray for Janice in Ghana as she continues with her ministry after her maternity leave. Pray that she can find balance between her work with CIM, schooling and caring for Lucy. Pray for her residence permit renewal and indefinite residence application to be approved in a timely manner. Pray for Enoch’s family for the preparations of his Dad’s funeral in February. Pray for the STM team from First Alliance Church that will travel to Ghana over Easter. Pray for the planning of her home assignment in Canada from June-September.
Pray for the finances of CIM Ministries. Pray for new donors and a healthy general fund to run our ministries. In order to run our ministries effectively, we are currently seeking monthly donors. We encourage donors to give to our General Fund so we can distribute the funds where the needs are the greatest. Click here to donate.
Pray for CIM USA as they are still looking for an Executive Director and Director of Ministry.