More Than a Haircut

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:20:55 +0200

In Lviv, Ukraine, Nazar and his wife Iryna continue serving their community amid the ongoing challenges of war. Recently, what began as a simple haircut became an opportunity for encouragement, friendship, and meaningful spiritual conpversation.

Greetings from Lviv!

My name is Nazar. My wife, Iryna, and I live and serve in Lviv, Ukraine. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to share how God is working in my life and in the lives of those I have the privilege to serve.

For over twenty years, my ministry has been dedicated to young people — first as a youth leader in the church, and later in public schools, which transitioned to an online format at the start of the war.

Today, much of our ministry is focused on the local church we planted with several families in 2016. We strive to actively serve our community, reaching out to adults and children in our neighbourhood, as well as internally displaced people.

I rejoice whenever I see God touching human hearts and His love transforming lives. I believe discipleship is one of the key tools God uses in this transformation. Often, these changes begin not through large events, but through simple, everyday opportunities to care for others. One recent experience that is especially close to my heart is Max's story.

Max's Story

Recently, an old skill of mine became useful once again.

A young man named Max had started coming to our church, attending fellowship gatherings for board games and occasionally our Sunday services.

The past few months have been a true ordeal for him. Due to circumstances related to the war, he had not left his apartment for several months. I checked in on him periodically through messages to see how he was doing. When I learned that he needed a haircut, I offered to visit him with my scissors and clippers. He gladly agreed.

As I worked with the clippers, we talked about many things, but the most precious moments were when our conversation turned to spiritual matters. He is incredibly attentive and open. In that small room, through a simple act of service, we enjoyed meaningful fellowship together, and I could see God at work in his heart.

This experience reminded me once again that ministry does not always require large gatherings. Sometimes, a simple everyday reason is enough to go where there is a need. I believe our relationship will continue to grow, and I look forward to sharing more of what God will do in his life.

Please pray:

• For Max, that the Lord would continue His work in his heart.

• For our future meetings, that God would grant wisdom as we continue our conversations.

Thank you for your prayers, your heart for us, and your support.

In prayer,

Nazar Ilkiv

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Unhindered

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:24:00 +0200

Amid the devastation of war, God’s love is transforming lives in Ukraine. What began as a relief effort in Irpin—providing food, clothing, and care—has grown into a powerful movement of spiritual renewal, with new church communities emerging and local leaders stepping forward to shepherd them.

The power of the gospel is often highlighted in times of distress, as trouble can move people toward Jesus. In effect, our need becomes a means of connecting us to God. This is remarkably evident in today’s Ukraine.

At the outset of the war, Irpin was a focal point of the Russian invasion and Ukrainian resistance. Located just outside Kyiv, Irpin endured intense urban fighting and the unimaginable horrors of a monthlong occupation. After Ukraine’s forces eventually recaptured the city, 70% of Irpin had been heavily damaged or destroyed. At the height of desperation, Irpin Bible Church launched a community relief effort to provide food, clothing, and spiritual care to those in need. Four distribution centers were established to facilitate this project, which provided a daily supply of freshbaked bread, funded by our ECM Ukraine Crisis Fund.

Something wonderfully unforeseen occurred at the distribution sites. As people encountered God’s love through the kindness of His people, spiritual transformation became increasingly evident. Many decided to follow Jesus, while others renewed prior spiritual commitments. In time, the seeds of new church communities sprang up in the relief centers, a wonderful reminder of divine restoration in the turmoil. Eventually, ECM was invited to participate in the start of three new churches near Irpin.

This Autumn, ECM welcomes three Ukrainian couples serving in the resulting church plants in the towns of Borodianka, Hostomel, and Nemishaieve. Already, these churches have begun ministries to children, students, seniors, veterans, and those displaced by the war. One of the congregations launched a program using art as a connection point for young mothers.

Please pray for Anatolii and Olena, Andrii & Luda, and Illia and Iryna as they serve these three churches. A fourth couple, Roman and Yaroslava, has joined our New Hope Ukraine ministry team in Lviv, and they also need your prayers.

God’s redemptive purposes in Ukraine continue unabated, come what may.

News feed for: ECM International

More Than a Haircut

Max's Story

Please pray:

Unhindered