Amid War in Ukraine, Ministry Meets $4M Fall Fundraising Goal to Change Lives Through the Word of God
HURST, Texas – EEM (Eastern European Mission), a ministry that has steadfastly worked for more than 62 years to supply free Bibles to eastern Europe and the surrounding nations, has met its Fall “Hope” campaign goal in order to distribute 800,000 Bibles and other biblical materials throughout the region in 2024. In addition to a significant number going to Ukraine, this year’s campaign will see large numbers of people in Poland, Hungary and Romania introduced to God’s Word in their heart language for perhaps the very first time.
Despite the ongoing war, lingering COVID-19 issues, rising costs and ongoing supply chain problems, EEM’s distribution of Bibles continues to increase. Through the Ukraine Aid donation campaign, the ministry’s early 2023 efforts provided funds for food, warm clothing, shelter, medicine and urgent medical care for thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in other Eastern European nations. And in wrapping up the year with a successful Fall “Hope” campaign – meeting its goal of $4 million – EEM will be able to give the gift of lasting hope to 800,000 individuals through the Bible.
“We haven’t forgotten about all the hurting people in Ukraine and the surrounding affected nations,” said EEM’s president Bob Burckle. “All these people are desperately seeking hope – many of them asking for Bibles in the shelters. We must continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus in providing the Word of God to them in their heart languages.”
In addition to ever-increasing requests for Ukrainian-language Bibles, the neighboring countries continue to see growth in demand for Bibles and biblical literature in their native language as well. By meeting the “Hope” campaign goal, EEM will be able to provide Bibles in 19 different languages to people living in 24 different countries. Many of these will be distributed to families and individuals who have never had a Bible in their homes or language – even going back generations since these nations lived under communism.
“We have witnessed an ever-growing awakening to the Spirit of God throughout Eastern Europe, especially in regions that have now had access to God’s Word for more than a generation,” added EEM vice president Dirk Smith. “The children who have received these Bibles are tomorrow’s leaders, and we look forward to seeing what God will continue to do in this region, bringing people to Him and bringing them together in Christian unity.”
EEM’s mission: to give free of charge, native language translations of the Word of God to the nations of Eastern Europe and beyond by distributing Bibles and Bible-based materials to individuals, churches, public schools, orphanages, youth camps, hospitals, prisons and rehabilitation institutions. The ministry works with national leaders in nations such as Ukraine, Romania, Croatia, North Macedonia, Moldova and other countries to effectively place Bibles both in public schools and directly with students.
“We are so grateful to our donors, and we praise the Lord in it all,” Burckle concluded. “He has opened doors for us, given us the resources, manpower and the right connections – all so that Eastern Europeans would have the Word of God.”
To learn more about EEM, see www.eem.org.
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About Eastern European Mission
Eastern European Mission (EEM) was established in 1961 to provide Bibles and Bible-based materials throughout the former communist bloc countries in Eastern Europe. Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Bible activity books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations reaching more than 35 countries in 26 different languages. EEM is an accredited member of ECFA. For more information, visit EEM’s website at www.eem.org/.