Churches of Praise

Churches of Praise, based in Krivoy Rog, Ukraine, have been one of John and Jackie’s primary mission outreaches since 1993.

Their work has been to assist Gregory and Galina Sukhina, Ukrainian nationals, who are the leaders of the Association of Churches of Praise.   John and Jackie assisted Gregory and Galina in opening the first Church of Praise in October 1993, and have kept working with them and sending other ministers to help them since that time. They still travel there from Minnesota three or four times each year.

Churches of Praise is a now fellowship of many churches sprinkled in several regions of Ukraine. The vision is to continue to plant churches in places where the church does not exist.

The story of the Churches of Praise is a continuing harvest of lost people coming to Christ, with signs and wonders, healings and miracles. Drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals and people bound with various problems and diseases have found deliverance, healing and restoration in Christ.  Marriages and families have been healed.  Within months after repentance, many of those people become leaders in evangelism and ministry.

 The city of Krivoy Rog has been known throughout Ukraine as having the highest crime rate, and the worst rate of drug addictions and alcoholism in the nation. with a divorce rate of 85%.  Now this city is changing. We know that the ministries of the Churches of Praise in the city have been a part of that difference. They have blanketed this city of eight hundred thousand residents with the gospel.  Government officials honor and welcome the work of these churches. There are now 28 Churches of Praise within the city of Krivoy Rog.

The main church in Krivoy Rog has 1000+ people and is pastored by Gregory Sukhina. The second largest church of 500+ people is pastored by Gregory’s wife, Galina. Many of the churches in other places are small in number, meeting in village homes.  Perhaps fifty of the churches have their own church buildings.

There are many ministries within the Churches of Praise. Some of these ministries are as follows:  an intensive mission college for training village church planters, as well as a pastor’s Bible College for continuing study while active in the ministry. There is a powerful Rehab Center for ex-prisoners and drug addicts, as well as hospital ministries, cell groups, and children’s camps. Youth ministries are vibrant, and there are many worship bands and music groups that work on a high level of skill as well as with a strong anointing from God.

All these ministries are a continuous opportunity for you to be involved.  If you are a pastor or Bible Teacher, we would love to take you with us, or send you to minister among these churches and help train the leaders!