NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — The Ukrainian Pentecostal Church in Nicholasville has led several efforts during the last month, from doing bake sale fundraisers to collecting donations for refugees. Now, a team of five church members traveled to Ukraine this weekend to deliver donations and help volunteers.

Victor Selepina, Anatoliy Martynyuk, Roman Solovyanchuk, Ivan Lozitsky and Paul Kononets got on a flight from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Warsaw, Poland on April 7, 2022 with a plan of action.

They were going to deliver hundreds of bags of humanitarian aid filled with medicine and bulletproof vests.

A Ukrainian Pentecostal Church of Nicholasville member's open bag full of medical aid that will be delivered to people in need throughout four areas in Ukraine. (Victor Selepina)

Selepina spoke to Spectrum News 1 while crossing the border into Ukraine.

“I think in a little less than an hour we’ll be crossing it [Ukraine-Poland border]. I’m going to have some coffee and we’ll be crossing the border. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly,” Selepina said.

When asked if he was nervous, Selepina responded that he was a little nervous.

Selepina will help lead the team to go through rigorous security checkpoints with the dozens of humanitarian bags. The team will then deliver them in four areas of Ukraine.

For safety reasons, Selepina decided to refrain from revealing those locations.

Just a few weeks ago, Spectrum News 1 also spoke to Christian Mission Ebenezer’s president Alex Chubaruk on March 16, 2022.

Chubaruk coordinated with UPC to collect donations like diapers, clothes, non-perishables and safety kits from people in the Lexington and Nicholasville communities. 

“So today is such a big need for these people [refugees] need something. They need clothing, they need a place to stay, they need food to stay alive,” Chubaruk said.

Members of Ukrainian Pentecostal Church of Nicholasville strategize a plan inside of Chicago O’Hare’s Airport before arriving in Warsaw, Poland. (Victor Selepina)

While abroad, Selepina and his team will also be at the port of Poland to receive the CME donations sent by sea.

“We’re doing what we’re called to do, that’s all. We’re just regular church people. The bible says do what your hand can do—that’s kinda where we’re at. We’re no heroes, we’re no special people,” Selepina said.

UPC wants to be clear that their efforts will strictly be to help people fleeing from danger and they are thankful for everyone back home in Kentucky who has helped.

“We appreciate everything people do and say. The good messages and voicemails that I’ve gotten, people praying for us and hopefully we can accomplish what we’re here to do,” Selepina said.

Back home, the Commonwealth is proud of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church's efforts.

The five UPC members plan to return on Thursday, April 14 from their trip.