History

Our late beloved founder, Evangelist Neil Cadwell saw the open door in August of 1991, and with the encouragement of Dr. Ed Nelson Dr. Cadwell launched out to meet a need in Ukraine that had never been attempted before. The prevailing darkness of communism began to fade in the former USSR, and as a result, the brightness of democracy began to become a reality. Ukraine has become the shining light of freedom and democracy in that part of the world. This allows us an open door to evangelize and assist in biblical training so that they can win and train their own people to serve God.

The Slavic Baptist Mission is doing that through the ministry of the Slavic Baptist Institute, a Bible college, located at the Grace Baptist Church in Khmelinsky, Ukraine. The pastor (one of our graduates) and the congregation have been very kind to allow us to use their facilities for SBI. SBI started in 1996 with 22 students and has seen more than 70 students in many of our quarterly sessions. Our students come from Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and several other surrounding countries.

Other ministries that the Lord is using in Ukraine is our camp ministries and orphanages. Our missionary, Derek Thomas, who lives in the Ukraine, coordinates these ministries, and we have seen “fruit, more fruit and remaining fruit” through these ministries. Scores and hundreds of young people have come to know the Lord. This is fertile ground and we are excited to see what God is doing through the ministry of Slavic Baptist Mission.

Without a doubt a beachhead has been established in Khmelinsky, Ukraine. Your prayers encouragement, and financial support are needed. Partnering with us will help continue this vital ministry here and abroad. Thank you for visiting our website and if we can answer any questions please contact anytime.

Dr. Rick Arrowood, SBM President and Director
[email protected]
Cell: 317.504.4102

Please take time to watch this 12-minute video that explains the history of Slavic Baptist Mission and Slavic Baptist Institute as well as our other ministries in Ukraine.

Announcement of Dr Rick Arrowood
as new President and Director
of Slavic Baptist Mission

In 1991 our great God opened the door to Eastern Europe through the fall of communism in the region. The Neil Cadwell Evangelistic Ministries stepped into the gap quickly, seeking to effectively support believers and churches throughout the region, as well as evangelizing the lost. The Slavic Baptist Institute began under Neil’s leadership in 1996 with 22 students and since that time has averaged 65-70 students per session, with students coming primarily from Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Slavic Baptist Mission was founded as a board and parent organization to oversee the work of SBI under Dr. Cadwell’s guidance. Until his homegoing in 2017, Neil served as the President and Director for SBM and was the primary force for promotion, fundraising, and student recruitment for SBI. Under his leadership the vision for the work expanded to camps and orphanages, meeting a great need among the Slavic churches.

When Neil was preparing for glory, his burden and vision was for another man to step up to the plate and lead as the Director of SBM. God has not provided that man to guide the organization – until now!

Dr. Rick Arrowood has faithfully and effectively served for several years as the chairman of the board of SBM while ministering since 2008 as the Senior Pastor of Crosspointe Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. On March 24, the Board of SBM enthusiastically and unanimously voted to extend a call to Rick to be our next President and Director, and we rejoice that he has accepted, beginning his new position on June 1, 2020. Please be much in prayer for Rick and his dear wife, Dolly, as they transition from their role at Crosspointe into this exciting new opportunity. Please pray that God will open doors in churches across the United States for Rick to share his burden and vision for the future of SBM.

Dr. Bud Steadman,
Mission Mentor at Baptist World Mission.
Member of the Board of Slavic Baptist Mission