A Healing Path.
A People of Hope.
Church family,
Our church continues to lead the Healing Path movement, walking with the Ukrainian church through trauma and rebuilding. Here is where things stand right now: what our own members are doing on the ground, where the partnership has grown, and how our brothers and sisters in Ukraine are faring. Thank you for praying and giving so faithfully.
Our members on the ground
Eric and Jennifer Fast in Poland.
Eric and Jennifer Fast are serving this week at a seven-day therapeutic trauma relief retreat in the mountains of Poland, built for Ukrainian Christian leaders carrying deep trauma and burnout from the war. The retreat is run alongside Voice of the Martyrs Poland, Voice of the Persecuted Christians, and Life Chaplain.
Jennifer, who holds a doctorate in psychology, is leading small groups, workshops, and one-on-one sessions. Eric is leading devotionals and fellowship throughout the week. The retreat theme comes from Isaiah 45:3, the promise of treasures found in darkness.
As of the latest word from the field, 60 of the 63 expected leaders had arrived, with three still traveling. Some faced long waits at the border, and ten of them traveled by van for more than two days to be there. The group has already met a chaplain who built a rehabilitation center for war veterans, and a woman who founded a community Inspiration Center and is praying for God to send her a pastor.
Please keep praying for Eric and Jennifer, for the leaders still traveling, and for every heart at the retreat.
From our partners
Kompass Church marks ten years.
Kompass Church just celebrated its tenth anniversary. Planted in the heart of the capital city, the church now gathers across three worship services each week, a picture of steady growth and faithful witness through some of the hardest years in Ukraine's history.
The campaign
The 7 Loves campaign is ready.
A seven-week, whole-church campaign built around the 7 Loves, anchored in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, with each church walking through it alongside its partner across the ocean.
The materials are written and in final edits, with the finished book expected around June 21. FBC Kaufman and Kompass Church will lead the way as the first two churches to walk through it together, beginning August 16.
The seven weeks.
- Love God First — identity restored
- Love God Back — whole-life devotion
- Love God's People — belonging in place of isolation
- Love Your New Life — freedom and resilience
- Love Your Neighbor — mercy across every boundary
- Love a Lost World — bold, grace-filled witness
- Love Your Family — healing the home
Where things stand
The partnership today.
Texas churches are paired with Ukrainian Baptist Union churches for prayer, friendship, and ministry support across the state, from the Panhandle to the Hill Country to East Texas. Regional leaders are helping to build and support those relationships as the partnership grows.
FBC Kaufman remains at the center of the work, with Eric Fast leading technology, Jennifer Fast leading wellness, and our staff supporting communications and coordination across the whole movement. Pastor Brent is connecting personally with partner pastors to set the path forward into the fall.
From the Baptist Union · May 2026
Watchmen on Ukraine's walls.
The prayers of millions of believers around the world continue to hold a shield over Ukraine. Here is some of what our brothers and sisters reported this past month.
Two Kyiv churches damaged.
A missile strike on Kyiv damaged New Life Church and Darnytsia Church. Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, New Life has served as a humanitarian hub for thousands of displaced people. Darnytsia ministers to displaced and military families and hosts children's camps.
A church building destroyed in Balakliia.
On May 23, a Russian drone struck the Light of the Gospel Baptist Church in the Kharkiv region, burning out the building. Thankfully no lives were lost. Several dozen believers gathered in the ruins afterward to pray and sing, and the congregation has already begun rebuilding, because the church is its people.
Summer camps are starting.
Last year more than 72,000 children attended over 990 camps across Ukraine. This summer's camps will serve children of fallen and missing soldiers, displaced children, orphans, teenagers, and families carrying deep loss. Please pray for safety, funding, and receptive hearts.
Pastor Yurii Birzov: trials and captivity.
Taken captive while delivering humanitarian aid near Kherson, Pastor Yurii endured a week of threats but refused to assist the enemy. After his release he relocated to Ivano-Frankivsk, where he now pastors a church welcoming displaced people and serving teenagers and people with disabilities.
The full Baptist Union update is available at baptyst.com.
Please pray
How to pray this month.
- For Eric and Jennifer Fast and the leaders at the Poland retreat.
- For a lasting and just peace in Ukraine.
- For comfort and healing for all who have lost loved ones.
- For the summer camps: safety, funding, and open hearts.
- For FBC Kaufman and Kompass as they prepare to launch the 7 Loves campaign in August.
- For Kompass Church as it begins its second decade of ministry.