New Ukrainian Church in Canada Sets to Proclaim Victory and Renewal in Jesus

September 5 marked a significant day for the Ukrainian Adventist community in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as nearly 300 people gathered for the official opening service of the new Ukrainian Seventh-day Adventist congregation, “Peremoha,” meaning “Victory.”

The special Sabbath celebration brought together church members, pastors, community leaders, friends of the church, and many visitors. Among those attending there were a significant number of non-Adventist guests and Canadians of Ukrainian heritage who came to celebrate and support the new congregation. The service was filled with thanksgiving, music, prayer, and expressions of gratitude to God. Children took an active part in the program, and special musical presentations created an atmosphere of joy and spiritual encouragement.

For the new congregation the day represented much more than the beginning of regular worship services. It was a celebration of God’s leading and an opportunity to look forward to a new chapter of ministry among Ukrainians and the wider Edmonton community.

A Community Comes Together

Several guests and church leaders brought greetings to the new congregation during the service. A special connection was made with the history of Ukrainian Adventism in Canada through a representative of one of the first Ukrainian Adventist congregations in the country. The moment served as a reminder of the faith and dedication of earlier generations and of the continuing mission of Ukrainian Adventists in Canada today.

A representative from a Ukrainian Pentecostal church in Edmonton attended the celebration and offered greetings on behalf of his faith community. His presence reflected the friendship and cooperation that exists among Ukrainian Christian communities serving newcomers and families in Edmonton.

Viktor Kononenko, the Adventist pastor representing the Ukrainian Adventist church in Calgary, also brought warm greetings and words of encouragement to the newly established congregation. Derek Richter, pastor of the Edmonton South Seventh-day Adventist Church, welcomed and encouraged the new congregation, expressing support for its ministry and wishing its members God’s blessing as they begin this new chapter.

Part of a Greater Mission

One of the special greetings came from Moises Ruiz, the pastor representing the Alberta Conference and its church planting ministry. Ruiz emphasized the importance of planting, supporting, and growing new congregations as part of the conference’s mission. He shared the conference’s vision of seeing 3,000 people baptized and 20 new churches established. The new Ukrainian congregation in Edmonton is part of this wider vision for mission and church growth across Alberta.

Ruiz’s message reminded those gathered that opening a church is not the completion of a journey but the beginning of a new mission. The calling of the congregation is “not simply to hold weekly services but to reach people, build relationships, serve the community, share the gospel, and help people develop a living relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said.

“Let Them Make Me a Sanctuary”

The central message of the opening service was presented by Volodymyr Melys, pastor of the new Ukrainian congregation. His message was based on God’s words in Exodus 25:8: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”

Melys reflected on the biblical truth that throughout history God has desired to dwell among His people. “The sanctuary is to be a place in which people can come together to worship, pray, hear God’s Word, and experience His presence,” he said.

At the same time, Melys emphasized that a church is much more than a physical building. “A church is not simply a building. A church is not simply a program. A church is not simply a group of people. A church truly becomes a church when God dwells among His people.”

According to Melys, the message expressed the central desire of the new congregation: not merely to have a place for Sabbath worship, but to become a spiritual home in which people can encounter Christ and experience the transforming power of His love.

A Spiritual Home

The establishment of a Ukrainian Adventist congregation carries particular significance at a time many Ukrainians have made Edmonton and other Alberta communities their new home.

For many newcomers, arriving in Canada means rebuilding almost every aspect of life—finding employment and housing, learning a new culture and sometimes language, developing friendships, and establishing a new community.

Along with these practical needs comes a need for spiritual community, prayer, friendship, hope, and a place to belong. The Peremoha congregation hopes to help meet that need.

While the church has a special ministry to Ukrainian-speaking people and families, its doors are open to everyone. The congregation seeks to welcome people regardless of nationality, background, or previous church experience.

Its vision is to become a vibrant spiritual center in Edmonton—a place of worship and prayer; Bible study; fellowship; ministry to families, children, and youth; community service; and gospel outreach. Above all, the church hopes to be a place in which people can discover the love of God and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

A Prayer for the Future With a Special Prayer of Dedication and Blessing

Pastors, elders, and ministry leaders who were present gathered in prayer, asking God to bless the new congregation, its leaders, families, children, young people, and future ministry. It was a fitting conclusion to a day of celebration and a reminder that the congregation begins its ministry, depending not on human plans, abilities, or resources, but on God.

The members of Peremoha look to the future with faith and gratitude. “God has led us to this moment, opened its doors, brought people together, and provided opportunities for ministry,” they said. For that reason, September 5 is not viewed as the end of a journey. It is the beginning of a new one.

The congregation prays that Peremoha will become “a place where those who feel alone can find a spiritual family, where those who are discouraged can find hope, where children and young people can grow in faith, where Scripture transforms lives, and where people can discover the love and grace of Jesus Christ.”

For the Ukrainian Seventh-day Adventist congregation in Edmonton, “Peremoha” is more than a name, local church leaders emphasized. “It is a reminder of the victory found in Jesus Christ—a victory of faith, hope, love, and a new chapter of ministry,” they said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Alberta Conference news site.