Welcome and Peace to You!
Since 1994, with God’s help, the “Christian House” Rehabilitation and Mercy Center in Chernihiv has been serving those behind bars – bringing hope, healing, and the message of Christ to correctional institutions throughout the region. We give glory to God for His faithful support all these years!
How It All Began
In late 1994, the first stage of our Center’s work was completed. Founding director Aleksei Nikitovich Veresotsky faced many challenges in establishing connections with the regional administration, law enforcement, and correctional facilities. But those were just logistical hurdles. The real mission was-and still is-to reach the hearts of people who have lost their way, to show them the path to redemption and a new life through Jesus Christ.
Our journey started with letters requesting permission to hold worship services and deliver food aid to inmates. Over time, the doors of the women’s correctional facility on Promyshlennaya Str. opened to us-literally and spiritually.
A Difficult but Hopeful Mission
The women in this facility come from hard pasts: drug abuse, theft, violence, and even murder. Yet when you look into their eyes and see their smiles, it’s hard to believe the stories behind the sentences. Many of them are mothers raising their children inside the prison. All, except the elderly, work daily.
At the time we began, about 1,700 women were serving repeat sentences. But today, that number has been reduced by more than half—to around 800, thanks to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Transformed Lives Through Faith
Those who’ve embraced Christ now live full, meaningful lives: raising families, holding jobs, building new futures—and not returning to prison. Praise the Lord!
Our mission has always gone beyond charity. Through worship services, spiritual songs, and free distribution of Bibles, booklets, and Christian magazines, we’ve worked to nurture the soul. We also identify leaders among the inmates—women with a desire to grow in faith and help others. With their support and the help of staff, we created a dedicated prayer room stocked with Christian literature.