As one of Samaritan’s Purse’s first church partners in Ukraine, the New Life Christian Mission has faithfully served vulnerable Ukrainians affected by the war since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and even before that. Under the leadership of Fedir Gerasymov, the “New Life” Christian Mission serves war victims by providing vital aid to thousands of suffering families throughout southern Ukraine. Not standing idly by, the New Life Christian Mission actively partners with Samaritan’s Purse to provide people with food, water, shelter, stoves, firewood, and other aid, while also meeting critical household needs through a Gospel-centered mission. To date, the Christian Mission “New Life” has distributed approximately 230,000 family food kits as part of Samaritan’s Purse’s Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together, they have also supplied and distributed essential household items, including generators, hygiene kits, diapers, winter clothing, emergency flashlights, and home repair kits. Samaritan’s Purse works closely with the New Life Christian Mission, providing emergency resources, transportation, and logistical support. These two organizations have jointly drilled 19 wells and installed 24 water filtration systems, providing clean water to tens of thousands of people. Following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in 2023, they responded by providing safe drinking water and hot meals to people who were forced to flee their homes due to the flooding. Samaritan’s Purse is grateful for its partnership with New Life Christian Mission. We sincerely appreciate their Christ-centered, compassionate, and dedicated service—both physical and spiritual—to people affected by war. “Everything we have comes from God, and we give it from His hand.” — 1 Chronicles 29:14

When one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations "Samaritan's Purse" talks about its work in Ukraine—and you see your own hands, your own routes, your own people in those words—it's more than recognition. In his February address, Franklin Graham described the very aid that we provide together every day.

Pylyp Mykhailovych Savochka is the Honorary Bishop of the Union of Churches “Salvation”. I had the opportunity to personally witness the work of the Christian mission “New Life”, and it made a powerful impression on me. What this mission does is far more than simple assistance. It is a great vision that, through faith and the dedication of people, has become a real and meaningful work. Thousands of people who have been fed, warmed, and saved represent the priceless result of this ministry. Not only the scale of the work is impressive, but also the great heart of the people who stand behind this mission. The work of the “New Life” mission is a living example of mercy and service to people, especially to those who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. Initiatives like this change lives and bring hope where it is needed most.

Have you ever heard of a “one-man orchestra,” a person who can play several musical instruments at the same time? For me, Fedir Herasymov, pastor and leader of the New Life Mission, is exactly such a servant: broad thinking, an even broader heart, and at the same time a radical focus on the “main melody.” He is not afraid of new challenges and boldly takes on large projects, experiments, and often takes risks—but always with the most important goal: to help those in need, rescue those doomed to perish, bring hope to those who desperately need it, and reach the lives of the unhappy and those who seem to be forgotten by everyone. When I first became acquainted with the truly remarkable work of his team—work that takes place not only in Odesa but far beyond its borders, throughout Ukraine—I kept recalling the words of Jesus Christ: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) Today such dedication is even more meaningful in the difficult times of the full-scale war. Everything has changed, yet God remains the same—He still loves people and continues to seek those who will become His hands in a world torn apart by sin and tragic upheavals. Therefore, my sincere gratitude goes to everyone involved in these works of mercy. To me, you are heroes. May God reward you and your families a hundredfold, hear your prayers, and bless our land. Respectfully, Bishop of the Union of Churches “Salvation” Mykola Savchuk

Yaroslav Malko – Präsident des internationalen Dienstes Global Christian Support, Pastor und Seelsorger: Die Mission „Neues Leben“ ist ein strategischer Partner von Global Christian Support im humanitären Projekt „Wir helfen zu überleben“. Im Laufe der Jahre hat sich unsere Zusammenarbeit von einer lokalen Initiative zu einer systematischen Arbeit auf nationaler Ebene entwickelt. Heute führen wir gemeinsam humanitäre Hilfsprogramme durch, entwickeln die Hilfsinfrastruktur und beteiligen uns am Bau der Zufluchtsstätte „Neues Leben“ in der Region Poltawa – einem wichtigen Zentrum für Menschen, die sich in schwierigen Lebensumständen befinden. Unsere Partnerschaft basiert auf Vertrauen, Transparenz und einem gemeinsamen Verständnis der Mission des Dienens. Wir sind überzeugt, dass wir durch die Bündelung unserer Ressourcen und Anstrengungen die Hilfe weiter ausbauen und Hunderte von Bedürftigen in der ganzen Ukraine unterstützen können.

Andrii Donchuk — President of the international mission “Merciful Samaritan”. For many years I have had the opportunity to observe the work of the Christian mission “New Life” and cooperate with its director, Fedor Gerasimov. This ministry is an example of dedication, faith, and a sincere desire to help people. Despite the difficult circumstances and the war in Ukraine, the mission’s team continues to help those who have found themselves in the most difficult life situations. People who have been abandoned by society and even by their relatives receive support here and a hope for a new life. The mission welcomes such people into its centers, helps them, feeds them, warms them, and supports them, showing that God is able to change a person’s life. It is especially inspiring that even during the war the development of new projects continues. In particular, the “Merciful Samaritan” center is being built, which will help even more people receive support and a chance for a new life. Such ministry is extremely important for society and brings hope to those who need it most. I wish the “New Life” mission further blessing and fruitful work in this service.

The director of the Department of Labor and Social Policy in the Odessa City Council, repeatedly recommends us to solve the problems of the city and advises us. Over the past years the Department of Labor and Social Policy of the Odessa City Council has been cooperating with the organization, the Christian Mission “New Life” on the social protection of people without a specific place of residence. This organization has extensive experience in social adaptation in this category of citizens, and therefore has become a full partner of the department in implementing various projects aimed at providing various types of services to homeless citizens: medical and social assistance, re-obtaining of documents, ensuring the possibility of living in special centers and reintegration into the society. In the winter period the project of heating points is being successfully carried out. The organizations' volunteers provide help to maintain order and work productivity. The head of the organization, Fedor Gerasimov, is a member of the City work group on reforming and assistance system to the homeless citizens. The result of the work of this group was the improvement of the quality of services that the homeless citizens receive in the interaction of all services that solve their problems. The branch of the City center for the reintegration of the homeless citizens on Tsiolkovsky Str, 1 was renovated and a new center for women on the Baltskaya road Str, 2 was opened.