The Ukrainian Education Center (UEC) began as a dream in the mid-1990s among Christian workers in Kyiv, Ukraine. Slowly, under God's sovereign orchestration, a small base of energetic supporters emerged. Ideas crystallized. Prayers were prayed. In March 1999, about 20 gathered in Memphis to discuss possibilities. In January 2000, the name Ukrainian Education Center was chosen and a board of directors formed. I was asked to serve as the Kyiv director.

A temporary center was soon rented in the heart of Kyiv's university center to explore possibilities. As that temporary center took on a life of its own, so did the US-based board. IRS non-profit status was filed for and a fundraising campaign began. The search for the new center began in earnest and after months of frustration and exhilaration, the Kyiv staff and the UEC board agreed to the purchase of two apartments near the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. The first and second floor apartments were bought at a total cost of $85,000 and almost all the funds had been raised by the September 2000 purchase. With the apartments desperate for complete renovation, a quality contractor was prayed for and God provided through an old Lipscomb roommate and Kyivite. Renovation began in December 2000 and was completed in fall 2001.  The UEC opened its doors to the public on October 4. 2001.  Bogdan Andrychenko, the UEC’s building project coordinator, completed his work with the UEC in May 2002, and Sergiy Lyakh was hired as the UEC’s first manager.  Currently, the UEC employees a full-time manager and three information assistants.  The director, assistant director, and interns are volunteer positions. 

But besides the history and the numbers, what is the UEC? Certainly what goes on in the center is more important than the bricks and mortar. The UEC serves to promote a living faith in Jesus Christ by meeting education needs in Ukraine. Our hope is to serve students by providing a Christian atmosphere to make friends and be cared for. We also offer numerous educational venues with special emphasis on helping Ukrainians improve their English skills. We sponsor a large multi-purpose, multi-media Resource Center with a substantial multi-language theological library as a part of those holdings. A computer center is also housed in the UEC.

The actual work done at the UEC is a product of a special alliance between local churches, Ukrainian Christians, missionaries, the US board, and our faithful supporters.

All that we do empowers Ukrainians to improve every aspect of their lives. Our hope is that we will be a small part of making Ukraine a stronger nation as we bring glory to Jesus Christ--Lord of all, over all of life.

Visit our website to learn how you can be a vital part of the Ukrainian Education Center.