Leading Women and Planting a Church in Challenging Times

Головна Блог Leading Women and Planting a Church in Challenging Times

This is the story of a woman who did not run away from difficulties but became a source of support, faith, and strength for others. War, evacuation, new ministry, and deep personal discoveries — the journey of Oksana Achkasova shows how true leadership is formed in daily care and faithfulness to God.

The Roots of a Calling

Oksana was born in Bashkiria in 1976. In 1996, she was baptized and immediately joined youth ministry: worship, evangelism, and service.

Two years later, she moved to Ukraine to study missiology at Donetsk Christian University. There she met her future husband. Together they became not only a family but also a ministry team, planting churches in different cities.

Ministry Amidst War and Displacement

With the start of the full-scale war in 2022, the family was forced to evacuate. Today they serve in Bila Tserkva, where they founded a new church.

Oksana’s focus became women’s ministry and helping displaced people. Every Sunday after worship services they organize meals for more than 40 people.

There are women whose husbands are missing or at the front. They are alone. They need not only food but also human warmth, conversation, and prayer

Challenges of Pastoral Work

Ministry during war means constant tension between exhaustion, pain, and hope.

Among the main challenges Oksana names:

Shortage of ministers — the need to raise new leaders;
Youth leaving — many active members have gone abroad, leaving behind those who are only beginning to seek God;
Cultural barriers between locals and displaced people, which often require careful balancing to avoid losing trust.

New Perspectives Through UETS

A key stage for Oksana was studying in the “Women’s Leadership Development” program at the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS).

The strongest discovery for me: the church is not strong only when everything depends on the pastor. It is strong when it continues to live and grow even without him.

She recalls with warmth the practical tools gained in class, such as personality tests that help recognize spiritual gifts and assign ministry roles more consciously.

“I used to try to be everywhere — singing, organizing, solving problems. Now I am learning to delegate. A leader is not the one who runs ahead of the train, but the one who serves others and washes their feet like Jesus,” Oksana explains.

This understanding of leadership became confirmation of the path on which God is leading her.

The Essence of Ministry Is the Gospel

Despite all challenges, Oksana dreams of seeing the women she serves come to faith, be baptized, and step into leadership roles in their own communities.

“They are active, grateful, and have great potential. This inspires me the most,” she says.

The story of Oksana Achkasova is an example of how God works even in the darkest times. Her ministry shows that true leadership is not about loud success but about caring for each person.

So that every person knows: she is seen, she matters. This is the essence of ministry, the essence of leadership, the essence of the Gospel

Oksana