Paetkau's Place
Why are we in Ukraine?
God has created an unprecedented opportunity for ministry in Eastern Europe. The harvest is ripe and the workers are few. The Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine & Russia have asked SEND International to assist them with the ministry of developing national leadership to meet the spiritual needs of Ukraine & Russia.
Our area of ministry is two-fold:
1. Working alongside Ukrainian leadership and those being trained in various areas of ministry. This includes:
Local church ministries
- serving with the various leaders in their ministries (preaching, teaching, church planting etc)
- teaching Sunday school alongside Ukrainians (Leanne-pre school, John-junior high)
Regional Ministries
Sumy Regional Bible College
- teaching, member of the leadership council
- overseeing the youth ministry track
Grace Camp
- member of the leadership council
- very involved in the summer camp ministry, both as leaders/trainers and as part of the ministry staff
2. Working alongside our fellow SEND missionaries in various roles. These (among other things) include:
- serving as team leader in Sumy, overseeing the ministries that SEND is involved in here
- overseeing short term teams and interns
We help facilitate ministry. We see ourselves as a bridge that God can use to help people do that which God has called them to do. This takes place in a number of contexts, both with Ukrainians and with internationals. As part of our ministry we work with Ukrainians, Americans, Germans, Swiss and Canadians. It makes for an interesting time attempting to bridge the various cultures, working towards the common goal of seeing Christ glorified, people reached for Christ and discipled in their walk with Him.
God has created an unprecedented opportunity for ministry in Eastern Europe. The harvest is ripe and the workers are few. The Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine & Russia have asked SEND International to assist them with the ministry of developing national leadership to meet the spiritual needs of Ukraine & Russia.
Our area of ministry is two-fold:
1. Working alongside Ukrainian leadership and those being trained in various areas of ministry. This includes:
Local church ministries
- serving with the various leaders in their ministries (preaching, teaching, church planting etc)
- teaching Sunday school alongside Ukrainians (Leanne-pre school, John-junior high)
Regional Ministries
Sumy Regional Bible College
- teaching, member of the leadership council
- overseeing the youth ministry track
Grace Camp
- member of the leadership council
- very involved in the summer camp ministry, both as leaders/trainers and as part of the ministry staff
2. Working alongside our fellow SEND missionaries in various roles. These (among other things) include:
- serving as team leader in Sumy, overseeing the ministries that SEND is involved in here
- overseeing short term teams and interns
We help facilitate ministry. We see ourselves as a bridge that God can use to help people do that which God has called them to do. This takes place in a number of contexts, both with Ukrainians and with internationals. As part of our ministry we work with Ukrainians, Americans, Germans, Swiss and Canadians. It makes for an interesting time attempting to bridge the various cultures, working towards the common goal of seeing Christ glorified, people reached for Christ and discipled in their walk with Him.
Here is a quick biography of our family:
John
- grew up on a farm near Valleyview, Alberta
- attended Caronport High School in Caronport Sk for Gr. 12 (1983/84)
- attended Briercrest Bible College (1984-1988), received a Bachelors Degree
- was the Associate Pastor at the Bow Island Evangelical Free Church, Bow Island, Alberta from 1990 - 1997
Leanne
- grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- attended Bedford Road Collegiate (1979-1983)
- attended Okanagan Bible College (1983-1984)
- attended Briercrest Bible College (1985-1989) received a Bachelors Degree
- worked part time as a personal care aid/careworker in Bow Island
Lanae - born in 1994
Alicia - born in 1997
Daniel - born in 2001
- grew up on a farm near Valleyview, Alberta
- attended Caronport High School in Caronport Sk for Gr. 12 (1983/84)
- attended Briercrest Bible College (1984-1988), received a Bachelors Degree
- was the Associate Pastor at the Bow Island Evangelical Free Church, Bow Island, Alberta from 1990 - 1997
Leanne
- grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- attended Bedford Road Collegiate (1979-1983)
- attended Okanagan Bible College (1983-1984)
- attended Briercrest Bible College (1985-1989) received a Bachelors Degree
- worked part time as a personal care aid/careworker in Bow Island
Lanae - born in 1994
Alicia - born in 1997
Daniel - born in 2001
Our family through the years
2006
2003
2005
2004
2002
2000
1999
1998