Vadym, a determined entrepreneur from Ukraine, is no stranger to challenge. He grew up in a low-income community where job opportunities were scarce, and his parents struggled to provide for him and his sister.
When Vadym had the opportunity to move to a large city in eastern Ukraine, he took a courageous leap of faith to start his own business selling mobile phones and accessories.
Vadym began searching for opportunities to expand his business, and learned about HOPE Ukraine from a friend. In 2014 he took out a loan of $830 to purchase more inventory. His shop did well, just as Vadym had hoped. But his life also began to change in ways he couldn’t have imagined.
Before joining HOPE Ukraine, Vadym shared that he felt a sense of emptiness in his work. His relationships became strained, and his work lacked a sense of joy. Something was missing.
But as Vadym participated in trainings and discipleship with HOPE Ukraine staff, he not only learned skills for managing his business—he also learned about Jesus.
I was not a believer back then, was more like a pessimist regarding faith. … I started to communicate with [HOPE Ukraine staff]. I understood who Christ was, His love and the relationship between Him and me.
As Vadym continued to study God’s Word, his wife and children joined him in attending church. Eventually, the entire family accepted Christ! He shares, “my family began to change when I started to change myself.”
Shining God’s light in the darkness
Today, Vadym is leading his community through church ministry! He serves as a pastor in his local church, reaching out to communities across Ukraine—including those impacted by the war. “When the war began… many internally displaced people (IDPs) from the war zone came here. … We helped many IDPs, many people in need, and preached the Word of God.”
Vadym’s business is also thriving. In a time when business in Ukraine has declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war with Russia, he has expanded from one store to multiple—providing jobs and critical communication tools such as mobile phones, batteries, and chargers to his community.
Quality service is essential for Vadym, as he views his business as a form of ministry. He emphasizes, “shopping in my store is not just about buying a product.”
I want my business to work for God so that through this business, people come to Christ. We already have people who have accepted Christ through my business. I would like even more people to dedicate their lives to the Lord, for God to serve people through my business!
In the future, Vadym is determined to continue serving people across Ukraine while sharing God’s Word. He dreams “for the Word of God to be preached and spread to the ends of the earth.” Through his service as an entrepreneur and pastor, Vadym is already working to share the Gospel with one person at a time.
Join us in praying for continued strength and protection for individuals like Vadym across Ukraine, and for HOPE’s ongoing work around the world, by signing up for our monthly prayer update.
Featured in header image: Vadym Dashko and his family
