Issue 36 ~ August - September 2026
Celebrating The 30th Anniversary Slavic Baptist Mission
It has been a very busy summer with Dolly and I travelling to report to supporting churches on my recent trip to Ukraine, as well as, to new churches who have a burden for Slavic Baptist Mission. I have included some pictures of my trip that will help you see what the Lord is doing in war-torn Ukraine!
Carl and I spent two nights at the Camp going in and out of the country from Warsaw, Poland. I refer to our camp as ‘the Wilds’ of Ukranie! It is located in western Ukraine in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains. The camp is under the direction of a dear brother, Seregei Porokhnavets, who we have know for more than twenty-five years. We have seen “fruit, more fruit, much fruit, and remaining fruit” in this ministry. We now have kids that have attended our camp, gotten saved, attended Slavic Baptist Institute and often find their life’s mate! These couples are serving in churches throughout the country.
On our camp grounds is a warehouse we helped build for our humanitarian aid. It is large enough to house seven tractor trailer loads of sundry, personal goods, and Bibles. Our teams take the humanitarian aid across the country to various locations for open-air evangelistic meetings where our pastors preach and our students sing and play their musical instruments. Many come to Christ through these meetings. SInce the war started two of our graduates have started churches, bringing the number up to 110 church plants in our 30 years of training pastors and local church servants!
We arrived at Slavic Baptist Institute on Wednesday,Carl jumped in and helped Pastor Pavlo teach his class on I Corinthans. Thursday I preached in chapel that morning, and that evening I presented the Graduating Service for the SBI Class of 2026.
On Friday Derek arranged a meeting with me and several of our graduates who are now pastors throughout the country; some in eastern Ukraine where the war is raging. Most of these pastors are bi-vocational but some have lost their jobs due to the war. In January of 2025, Derek, Carl and I began raising money to help support these pastors. What a joy it was to be able to give these pastors some extra financial support that day. They were humbled and thankful for God’s provision! Many had come for the graduation. They love and appreciate their Alma Mater! Many of them remember Brother Neil Cadwell and speak so highly of him, as well as, Carl and Derek! The level of commitment of these men and the people in their churches is different from ours here in America. I do not speak of this in a critical way! However, we tend to be spoiled with our freedom. When it is threatened every day with war, their view of God and their trust in Him is so very evident.
Carl and I had the privelege of preaching at a men’s home for recovering addicts on Saturday. The next day we preached for Dima at New Life Baptist Church, and for Pastor Gene at Donska Baptist Church. In those three services thirty three responded to salvation. For this we rejoice with the angels!
The Lord protected us in the early morning hours of May 14. Russia sent in the largest drone and missle attack in a twenty-four hour period since the war began in 2022. That morning while sitting on the side of my bed in the Heaven’s Yard Motel, God gave me Psalm 71 which taught me to trust God in my time of trouble!
I am typing these notes from the Mission Apartment at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Dolly and I arrived here on Saturday, August 1. Pastor Phelps, who serves on our Board of Trustees, opens this apartment up to us when we are in central Indiana preaching. Sunday I preached for our dear friend Pastor Rory Bond at Grace Baptist Church in Muncie, IN. In the morning service, we honored Peggy Cadwell for her 61 years of faithful service. She and Brother Neil joined this church in 1997, and today our home office is located in their facilities.
On Tuesday we had our Annual SBM Board Meeting. Twelve of our eighteen board members were present and several brought their wives with them. The ladies met with Dolly and Peggy for peach tea and homemade cookies (made by Peggy) at their “tea party time of fellowship!”
Thank you for your faithful prayers and your continued financial support! If you have any questions or if you would like to become a financial partner with us in our many ministries in Ukraine, please contact me at [email protected].
War does not close doors to the Gospel, it opens them!
Rick & Dolly Arrowood
PRAYER LIST
- Pray for the Peace of Ukraine – This is in the hands of our Sovereign Lord!
- Pray for our National Pastors that SBM supports that are pastoring in more than one city or village: Pastor Nickoli, Pastor Dima, Pastor Efgeny, Pastor Gena, and Pastor Alic.
- Pray for journey mercies for Dolly and me as we travel to churches and represent SBM.
ITENERARY
Aug 9 – Fatith Independent Baptist ~ Warrenville, SC ~ Pastor Michael Brendel
Aug 16 – Calvary Baptist ~ Bonaire, GA ~ Troy Todd, Deacon Chairman
Aulg 23 – Grovania Baptist ~ Grovania, GA ~ Pastor Rick Odom
Aug 30 – First Baptist ~ Danville, IL ~ Pastor Paul Rebert
Sep 6 – (AM) Emmanuel Baptist ~ Machanisburg, PA ~ Pastor Steve Crews
Sep 6 – (PM) Emmanuel Baptist ~ Winchester, VA ~ Pastor Charles Hatcher
Sep 20 – (AM) Troy Baptist ~ Troy, ON ~ Pastor David Thomasson
Sep 20 (PM) Victory Baptist ~ Springfield, OH Pastor Dan Stinger
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