Baptists in Ukraine

The Baptist Church in Ukraine (Ukrainian: Баптизм в Україні; Baptyzm v Ukrayini) is one of the oldest and most widespread[1] Evangelical Christian denominations in the country.

[2] Prior to its independence in 1991, Ukraine was home to the second largest Baptist community in the world, after the United States, and was called the "Bible Belt" of the Soviet Union.

They sought to spread their faith to the native Ruthenian/Ukrainian population, so Slavs were invited to Anabaptist prayer meetings and Bible studies.

[4] During the 1920s, Evangelical Christians and Baptists were prohibited in the Ukrainian SSR;[1] they were, to some extent, revived during and after World War II in a Soviet effort to weaken the cultural influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.

[5] However, as a minority and non-traditional religion the Baptists have been subject to persecution and discrimination, including being arrested.

[citation needed] The Government of Ukraine facilitates the building of houses of worship, and Baptists have difficulties with the local authorities in Kyiv and other large cities while attempting to obtain land and building permits.

[citation needed] Baptists in Ukraine are organized and active in building churches and seminary education.

[10] Baptists organized the first International Christian Theater Festival in Rivne, which took place in July 2007.

A spokesperson for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board has said that "[in Ukraine] the new generation is what God will have to use to evangelize, disciple and train leaders.