Director

The first time I visited Ukraine with UCM was when I was 16 and I went to serve in Zolotonosha on the Holiday Bible Clubs and Summer Camps. Throughout my teenage years and into my university career, I continued serving with UCM in Ukraine, and came to realise that God had placed Ukraine deep in my heart, for reasons that I cannot explain except to know that it is from Him.

In 2014 I left my teaching career here in the UK and went to live and serve in Cherkasy, central Ukraine. There I served in the local church with the youth, worship and women’s ministry, as well as teaching English and Science in local high schools.

I returned to the UK in 2016 and in 2019, was offered the chance to lead UCM. I am so enormously humbled by the invitation to lead UCM, and as I look back and see the journey that God has taken me on to get me to this place, I cannot but rejoice in seeing how He has been preparing me for the role. My love for Ukraine and desire to see the Gospel have a tangible impact on the nation is almost too much to contain sometimes, and so I am delighted to be able to serve in this way. All glory be to our God and King, now and forever!

Communications Officer

I’m Katie and I joined UCM in May 2022, after serving with two different mission agencies in East Africa for almost 20 years. The main focus of my role is gathering stories from our pastors and partners in Ukraine to share with our friends and supporters through newsletters and social media, which I love to do. I feel very privileged to be part of the team and to be able to learn about what God is doing through his people in Ukraine, who are living through some very challenging times.

Chair of Trustees

Hi, I’m Mike, a local church elder in Farnham, Surrey and married to my very patient wife Alison who is a professional Counsellor. We have three sons, two amazing daughters-in-law and three grandsons. I’ve worked throughout my career in various roles in the agricultural sector which has meant travelling around the world, especially across Europe, the Far East and North America. It has always thrilled me to meet up with Christians from different cultures and backgrounds and yet immediately to share a common bond in faith and worship together.

I’ve always had a passion for mission so it’s a real privilege to serve as a Trustee of UCM and to contribute where I can to the oversight of the Trust and especially in developing inter-church partnerships between churches in the UK and Ukraine. We can learn so much from each others’ experiences for mutual support and benefit.

Trustee

Hi, my name is Jon; I am married to Ira, we live in Reading with our three children, and I work as a civil engineer. I met Ira when I first went to Ukraine in 1998 when helping on UCM's youth camps; I've also spent a year with IFES in Kharkiv.

During my times on the UCM camps it has been amazing to see firsthand how God worked through the local churches in bringing people to Himself. It has been really encouraging to see the continued faithfulness of the local churches as they are so servant-hearted and committed in spreading the gospel as they reach out to those around them.

I am privileged to be a Trustee of UCM and look forward to seeing how God continues to work in the Cherkasy region and beyond.

Trustee

Hello, I’m Emily, a communications professional with a portfolio of writing for and creating content for multiple Christian charities. It’s my honour to be on this brilliant team of Trustees to support the work of UCM. I love hearing the stories of churches, pastors and communities making a difference for the Kingdom of God and the people of Ukraine.

I find it really humbling to see the vision of UCM come to life through the passion, incredible energy and persistence of the churches we serve in Ukraine. I encourage you to sign up to receive UCM’s newsletters, which are packed full of stories and amazing testimonies of transformation - so that you can get excited about the work of UCM.

Treasurer

Matt is a client relationship manager at an accountancy firm in Surrey, and serves as UCM’s Treasurer.   

In his spare time, he is involved as a volunteer with coaching and officiating at his local athletics club.  He is also a keen sportsman, enjoying skiing, cycling, and running – when he gets the chance.