LVIV, Ukraine (BP) — In the early days of Russia’s full onslaught of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS) transitioned its classrooms into temporary shelters, halting instruction to house internally displaced persons as they fled their homes for safety.

Thousands of refugees found beds, food, clothing, first-aid supplies, solace and prayer within the walls of the seminary as it partnered with Baptists including the International Mission Board (IMB), Southern Baptist congregations in the United States, and Baptist churches and groups in Europe, with the continuing support of the Ukrainian Baptist Foundation (UBF).

With the war in its fourth year, UBTS has long resumed its educational outreach, graduating the largest class in its 25-year history in June, President Yaroslav Pyzh said in a video.

“Being a part of this community gives us strength and assurance that we can see transformation of our nation, where people love God and respect the law,” Pyzh said in pinpointing the work the graduates are already doing to change lives in Ukraine.

Several days as the war lingered, students retreated to bomb shelters as sirens sounded, and Russian airstrikes have threatened the safety of UBTS personnel.

But as the 2024-2025 school year began in the third year of war, UBTS continued its educational and humanitarian work.

It began the year with an enrollment of 1,500 students, Pyzh has said, with the humanitarian work moved to a network of 17 We Care Centers he also oversees as president.

“In spite of war, we continue to do what God has called us to. Our country needs a lot of leaders in the restoration phase that is coming,” he said in a video at the beginning of the school year. “And all these young people here, they are new leaders for our country and for our churches. So I would ask you to pray for us.”

From May 2023 through March 2025, We Care Centers served 426,635 Ukrainians at 17 locations across Ukraine, according to a report posted at UPF.org, while also using the centers as training grounds for UBTS students.

“We bring the gospel to people, and we’ve seen so many people come to know God, and we are grateful that we are not alone in that journey,” Pyzh said.

“Thank you for your prayers for peace, for victory, and my plea to you as three years ago is still the same. We would like to see a miracle and miracle of transformation. So please pray for transformation of our nation, where people love God and respect the law.”

We Care Centers operate with the help of hundreds of partners including IMB and Send Relief, and 78 churches including Southern Baptist congregations.

UBTS also partners in education with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) through the seminary’s Global Theological Initiative.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)