30the Anniversary of First Ukrainian Baptist Church of Seattle

This is, without exaggeration, a historic event not only for our Convention, but for the entire Slavic Baptist brotherhood of America as a whole. This is a church that embodies an entire era of Ukrainian immigration.

From its distant beginnings in 1995, when it was founded by a small community of Ukrainian immigrants, to today, when that community numbers more than eight hundred members, this church has traveled an immense journey of formation, growth, hardship, and flourishing.

The founding of the first church in the state to conduct services entirely in the Ukrainian language was no easy matter. There was no building of their own. The prospects for a Ukrainian-language church were very uncertain. Yet within a short time, around 30 additional members joined the first few dozen. Gatherings were held in the facility of an American church that extended Christian hospitality to the newly formed Ukrainian congregation. Then came years of spiritual and numerical growth. From the very earliest years, dedicated pastors — Ivan Lychyk, Kostiantyn Kachmarchyk, Ihor Zaviriukha, and others — faithfully served the church. It was not until the year 2000 that the church first crossed the threshold of its own building, which it completed and renovated on its own. Over the following 25 years, the First Ukrainian Baptist Church of Seattle became a true training ground for ministers serving in many churches — not only in Washington, but in other states as well. The church has planted more than half a dozen daughter churches alone — and that is without counting the missionaries it regularly sends out and supports in the most remote corners of the world.

Today this church is one of the largest Ukrainian churches on the entire West Coast. It maintains three full choirs, a brass orchestra, a large Sunday school, youth and teen ministries, summer camps, and a women's ministry. Senior pastoral duties are carried out by Brother Oleksiy Savoliuk, alongside fellow pastors who still remember the very first gatherings, as well as young brothers devoted to God.

Ukraine holds a special place in the church's ministry. Since the start of the war, regular prayer services for Ukraine have been held here, and various forms of aid are sent to Ukrainian churches and people in Ukraine. Such fervent, tearful prayers for the victory of their homeland you will not hear anywhere else.

The First Ukrainian is rightfully known for its generosity and its readiness to come to the aid of anyone in need.

We are grateful to God for this church, and we are glad that it holds its honored place within our Convention.

On June 22nd, the Jubilee Service of the First Ukrainian Church of Seattle Was Held, Dedicated to Its 30th Anniversary

The celebration took place in the church's own facility, located in the city of Federal Way on the southern outskirts of Seattle. The hall was completely overflowing with guests and well-wishers eager to congratulate the local congregation. Though, to be honest, this hall has long been unable to accommodate the full number of members who attend services here — and the number of attendees has been growing especially rapidly since the start of the war in Ukraine and the new wave of immigration.

The festive musical program was provided by a combined choir of more than 120 singers, a symphony orchestra, and a men's musical ensemble. "Let Us All Bow Before the Lord," "I Firmly Believe," and "Great God" — songs so familiar and dear to the heart of every Ukrainian Christian — performed by these ensembles and the entire congregation, rang out as a symbol of faith, hope, and firm conviction.

Pastor Kostiantyn Kachmarchyk called everyone to prayer. He said he still remembers the very first gathering of the church back in 1995. It seemed incredible — as if a time capsule had been opened, and everyone was looking with curiosity at what had been placed inside it 30 years ago.

On that day, a special fellowship gathered here. Pastors of daughter churches, representatives and leadership of the Southern Convention, pastors and ministers from other conventions and churches — all wanted to offer something meaningful on this very special day. Pastor Oleksiy Savoliuk, with fatherly warmth and a sincere smile, welcomed the guests and gave each one the floor to speak. Pastors Volodymyr Vilchytsia of Resurrection Church (Sacramento), Vadym Hetman of Revival Church, EVSK Pastor Andriy Pashchuk, Pavlo Lavutin of Word of Truth Church, and Andriy Chumakin of Salvation Church — all found words of gratitude, congratulation, encouragement, and blessing for the jubilarians. The brotherhood even had its own prophet — Pastor Yaroslav Tovsteniuk of Good News Church shared a "prophecy" that God had placed on his heart, noting that 30 years is only the beginning of life.

As is fitting, WUBC Chairman Serhiy Pochapsky also delivered his congratulatory remarks. He sincerely greeted the local church, noted its generosity and willingness to help — and, incidentally, he was not the first to say so. He also presented a commemorative gift: a world map on which the church can mark places significant to its history.

Following a brief word, Oleksiy Savoliuk invited all the pastors forward for a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing. A fervent prayer to our God, and hands raised in blessing by the pastors, brought this wonderful celebratory service to a close.

The celebration continued at a second service, which began an hour after the first. More greetings from churches followed. But the centerpiece of the second service was a conversation with four pastors, each of whom had at some point served as the lead pastor of this church. The brothers were moved to emotion as they recalled events from decades past — how it all began, who invited whom, who joined when. It was deeply touching. You could feel that the church is alive, breathing, and remembers. The full conversation can be viewed on the church's YouTube channel. It is truly engaging and inspiring.

We, for our part, join in all the congratulations and well-wishes. We ask the Lord to grant wisdom and new opportunities in ministry to the First Ukrainian Baptist Church of Seattle.

May the Lord bless you!