Incredible Opportunity for Ministry Training in Ukraine
Because of political turmoil and the war in Ukraine, this is a critical moment in Eastern Europe. Recognizing the need for pluralistic chaplain ministry in its armed forces, the Ukrainian military created a brand-new chaplain corps that was approved by the government in 2022 and officially started in 2023. Ukrainian leaders are now looking for outside help to train and educate their chaplains.
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There’s a Theological Seminary in Poltava, Ukraine with an outstanding reputation and the military has asked the school to provide training and education for their chaplains. The seminary reached out to the Chaplaincy Department of the General Council of the Assemblies of God to help provide that training, and they asked us to put a team together.
The seminary is asking for a three-year educational training plan that will encompass theology, practical aspects of military chaplaincy, and specialized topics that will prepare clergy for what they may experience as military chaplains in Ukraine.
Our team is prepared to teach and train Ukrainian chaplains in a wide range a specialties and skills.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine has committed to send their chaplains to the Poltava Theological Seminary for six classes per year for the next three years. With our experience and expertise, we can provide what their chaplains need, but because of the war, they can’t pay our expenses to get there.
And they don’t have the means to purchase or create a curriculum. This means we have to raise the money, and we estimate that it will take $24,000 per year to train the chaplains.
This will cover our travel expenses, classroom materials and supplies, and the curriculum that we will prepare and leave with them for continued use. After three years, they will have enough chaplains complete the program that it will then be self-sustaining and our job will be done.
The long-range goal is to raise $72,000 for a three-year training cycle, but our immediate goal is to raise $24,000 for the first year. Contributions are tax deductible through the Illinois District of the Assemblies of God.
The motto of the chaplains of the Armed forces of Ukraine is “Being There.” That is their mission, and they are fulfilling that calling even through some pretty tough situations and bleak conditions.
We want to be there to provide support, resources, encouragement, and training.
Would you help us do that?
Meet Our Award-Winning Team of Chaplain Trainers
Top Row Left to Right: Paul Linzey, Manny Cordero, Vince Lambert. Second Row Left to Right: Josh Andrew, Sharon Ackerman, John Michno
Education, Experience, and Expertise
John Michno completed the MDiv at Fuller Theological Seminary and became a military chaplain. After retiring from the military, he pastored in Ukraine and Russia. He is Ukrainian American, speaks Ukrainian and Russian, and is a missionary with the National Slavic District of the Assemblies of God.
Dr. Sharon Ackerman is a hospital chaplain with experience as an educator, pastor, sociologist, and missionary. She has worked for human rights and religious freedom for women and persecuted Christians, and is the author of several books. She has graduate degrees in religion and sociology and two law degrees from Cornell Law School.
Joshua Andrew is a former Army chaplain. He has served over 17 years as a pastor, educator, and a military chaplain in both combat and humanitarian roles. He holds an MDiv in Theology and a PhD in Education.
Dr. Manuel A. Cordero is the Senior Director for U.S. Chaplaincy Ministries for The General Council of the Assemblies of God. He has been in chaplaincy ministry for more than 44 years, originally working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for nearly 24 years.
Vince Lambert is a senior military chaplain who spent a year in Ukraine training volunteer military chaplains. He has an MDiv with additional graduate work towards a DMin, and is the author of the devotional book, 30 Days Ablaze.
Dr. Paul Linzey is a retired military chaplain with war-time experience. He has trained U.S. and international chaplains, and now teaches at a Christian college. He has written two books about chaplain ministry.
John Michno and Paul Linzey are co-team leaders for this project.
Why This Is Happening Now
It didn’t take long after Russia invaded Ukraine for the Ukrainian government and military to realize they needed full-time, professional chaplains in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Historically, Ukraine depended on volunteer clergy to serve the military. This is a huge development. But along with it came the decision to open the chaplaincy to clergy from multiple faith groups, so they are moving towards a new pluralism and diversity.
Now that the foundation is in place, the next step is to provide the professional training and education the chaplains need, which is why they reached out to the Poltava Theological Seminary, who in turn asked us to partner with them for three years.
Our team has the education, the experience, and the expertise to accomplish this mission. What we need is the financial backing of people who care, who understand the immediacy of the open door in Ukraine, and who want to do something about it.
You Can Make a Difference in the World
Igor Skrypnichenko is the Vice President of the Poltava Theological Seminary. Because some of his graduates are now chaplains doing great work among soldiers, he has been asked to train new chaplains. It is largely because of Igor’s compassion, excellence, and tireless hard work that he has developed a rapport with Ukrainian leaders, and why they want him to head up chaplain training. But just like the rest of us, Igor has only twenty-four hours in a day, and is spreading himself too thin.
When Igor reached out to the Chaplain Department of the Assemblies of God, they asked John Michno and me to put a team together. As you can see above, the chaplains we have assembled for this project are outstanding.
There are several ways you can help us. First is to pray. The war is still going on, and February 2024 will begin the third year of the current conflict. Pray for peace. Pray for the people who have lost everything. And pray for safety, wisdom, and discernment for us. Another way you can help is to support us with your giving. We are preparing six classes per year. Each class requires a teacher to create the curriculum, travel to Ukraine, and provide materials and supplies.
You may send donations by mail to:
Or give online at IDCAG.ORG. You are welcome to designate a donation to me or specify any member of the team. You may also give an undesignated contribution that we will share.
Thank you so much for your generosity. We really cannot do this without your help.
Paul Linzey 