Hillsong Ukraine: Difference between revisions

Hillsong Ukraine
Hillsong Ukraine
Hillsong Church Ukraine
Country	Ukraine
Denomination	Hillsong Church
Website	hillsong.com.ua
History
Founded	October 1992
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)	Phil and Lucinda Dooley (global pastors)
Pastor(s)	Yuriy Ravnushkin and Tanya Ravnushkin

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Hillsong Ukraine, also known as Hillsong Church Kyiv (formerly Kyiv Christian Life Centre) is an offshoot of Hillsong Church from Sydney, Australia, based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

History

Praise and worship during the opening night of Hillsong Conference in Kyiv, 2006

Hills Christian Life Centre was founded by Brian Houston in 1983 in Baulkham Hills (an outer suburb of Sydney), New South Wales, Australia, later (2001) renamed as Hillsong Church.^[1]^[2]

In September 1992, an outreach began in the October Palace, Kyiv.^{[citation needed]} Australian worship leader David Evans, US pastor Mike Berry and former Hillsong youth pastor Darko Culjak officially began the church in a 700-seat movie theatre in downtown Kyiv. The establishment of the church was aided by Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network operating in the former Soviet Union. Culjak became the first senior minister and established the Kyiv Christian Life Centre officially on 4 October 1992.^[3] Hillsong Kyiv was thus established a year after Ukraine obtained its independence from the Soviet Union.^[4] Hillsong sent some financial support, and the church was named Hillsong, although it was always independent of the Sydney organisation.^[5]

On 1 June 1997,^{[citation needed]} Ievgenii (Zhenya) and Vera Kasevich became the new pastors of the church, and led the church and its offshoot in Moscow for about 20 years, successfully building up the congregation by 2008.^[5] As of 2007, the church held six to seven services each weekend with a combined attendance of around 3000. The Kasevichs were invited to speak at various churches and Christian conferences around the globe.^[6] The church budget was around $1 million a year, all from donations, but Hillsong made the Kasevichs pay up to $13,000 for first-class air tickets to fly speakers to a conference in Kyiv.^[5]

Hillsong Kyiv did not initially own a worship centre, renting an exhibition marquee in industrial outskirts of Kyiv for its services, but purchased two offices in 2002 and 2007 on credit.^[7]

In February 2014, the Kasevichs wanted the Kyiv church to retain its independence, but Brian Houston said that if they broke away, he would open a rival Hillsong church in the city. They felt they had no choice but to hand over the churches and assets and resign, as they did not want to break up the congregation. Hillsong records later showed that Hillsong Church requested a "voluntary donation" of the proceeds of the sale of a property, as well as over $US230,000 in cash. The Kasevichs wanted to emigrate to the United States, and there is evidence that Hillsong said that they could make things difficult for the couple with the American authorities, although Houston later denied this.^[5]

After their departure, the Kasevichs were banned from church events and therefore from the congregation (their "family"), and their emails and online connection to the Hillsong database were cut. They were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement which excluded them from attending services at Hillsong Kyiv or Moscow, and from contacting any of Hillsong's staff or volunteers.^[5]

Yuri and Tanya Ravnushkin became lead pastors of the church, which is or was located on the outskirts of the city.^[4]

In March 2022, Brian Houston resigned from the board of Hillsong Church Sydney and from his role as global senior pastor as a result of breaching the moral code of the church in his behaviour with two women, and Phil and Lucinda Dooley took over both roles.^[8]^[9]^[10]

Hillsong Moscow

In early 2007,^[11] after three years of preparation, Hillsong Kyiv launched its first service in Moscow,^[12] with subsequent large services, attended both by interested Christians from other churches and new people, held in April and May.^[11] From summer 2007 Hillsong Moscow held services in the Stas Namin Theatre, in the city centre near Gorky Park.^[12] In June 2007, the church successfully completed the registration process. The church plant was cooperatively supported by the Moscow-based Good News Church pastored by Rick Renner.^[13]^[14]

The church in Moscow was pastored by Kyiv pastors Zhenya and Vera Kasevich until their departure in 2014.^[5] As of 2015, Hillsong Moscow was led by Vadim Feshchenko, and the two churches were on friendly terms, despite the conflict between the two countries.^[4]

Ministries

Hillsong Kyiv aligned its structure with that of Sydney Hillsong. As of 2007 there were three-part courses for new believers, named "Discovery". "Connect groups" and sometimes special services were held for people of various ages and with various interests, such as youth, or "people over 40", or those who like fishing or computers.^[15] Hillsong Kyiv is characterised by a high level of involvement of its members in serving at the church and in 2017 was assessed by researchers as having the best level of the organisation of ministry among all Protestant churches in Europe.^[13]^[12]

Conferences

As both Hillsong Church in Sydney and London, Hillsong Kyiv holds three yearly conferences: the Hillsong Conference, the Colour Your World conference for women, and a men's conference. The Hillsong Conference, meant to equip other churches with both Biblical teaching and practical advice on organising the life of a church, gathered about 3000 delegates from more than 250 churches from 12 countries, mainly representing the former Soviet bloc, in 2006.^{[citation needed]}

The Colour conference was cancelled in 2014 owing to the Russo-Ukrainian war. In July 2014, at Hillsong's major conference in Sydney, Kyiv lead pastor Yuriy Ravnushkin spoke about the difficulties of keeping the church going during those times.^[4]

Social work

The church has a history of helping orphanages in Kyiv and nearby, supporting sick people in hospitals treating cancer, reaching out to homeless children and inmates in correctional centres.^[16] In 2015 Tanya Ravnushkin reported that they had "started to do a whole lot more outside our doors", and refugee children had been accepted into the church and into the homes of members.^[4]

Bible college

The church has a Bible college, meant mainly for those who wish to serve in the church. Students from Protestant churches of other cities of Ukraine as well as other former Soviet bloc countries also come for training.^{[citation needed]}

Music

Hillsong Kyiv has recorded many albums, including youth and children's albums. The songs were initially translations of the songs written at Hillsong Church in Sydney Hillsong London, but there are also original songs written mainly by Vera Kasevich, who served as the church's worship pastor, and her and Zhenya's son Roman Kasevich.^{[citation needed]}

Criticism

The criticism of the Hillsong Church Kyiv is similar to the criticism expressed with regard to the mother church in Australia and reflects the general disapproval of certain aspects of what Pentecostals/charismatics believe in, often from the more traditional Protestant denominations. In particular, the teaching on prosperity is the target of attacks. However, according to Zhenya Kasevich, he would not "go to the extremes" when teaching prosperity believing that "we are blessed (only) to be a blessing to others".^[3]

In April 2022, speaking from their new home in the U.S., former pastors Zhenya and Vera Kasevich criticised the way that Hillsong Australia's general manager George Aghajanian had forced them to hand over the church and assets to the global organisation in 2014, and accused Hillsong of wanting to add it to their property portfolio.^[5]

References

^ Hey, Sam (2011). God in the Suburbs and Beyond: The Emergence of an Australian Megachurch and Denomination (PhD thesis). Griffith University. doi:10.25904/1912/3059. Retrieved 2 February 2022. PDF
^ Riches, Tanya; Wagner, Tom (2 November 2017). The Hillsong Movement examined: You call me out upon the waters. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-59656-3.
^ ^a ^b "Web Conference with Yevgeny and Vera Kasevich". News.invictory.org. 23 February 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2007. "...their fledgling church, which was also opened on October 4, 1992. (in Russian)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "A church under siege in Kiev". Eternity News. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Cohen, Hagar; McDonald, Alex; Hunjan, Raveen; Christodoulou, Mario (6 April 2022). "Former Hillsong pastors say they were threatened by Brian Houston to hand over their church and assets". ABC News. 7.30. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
^ "YC Alberta 2006: Tell the world". Ycgeneration. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
^ "Помещения". Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
^ Knowles, Lorna; Nguyen, Kevin (23 March 2022). "Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston resigns after internal misconduct investigation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ Alexander, Harriet (23 March 2022). "Brian Houston resigns as Hillsong pastor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
^ Knowles, Lorna (24 March 2022). "How Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston's fall from grace played out over five days". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Киевские протестанты открыли в Москве новую церковь – «Хиллсонг»". www.risu.org.ua (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Kyiv Evangelicals Open Hillsong Moscow Church". Religious Information Service of Ukraine. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Христианские новости. - Твоя Библия". Bible.com.ua. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
^ "Киевский «Хиллсонг» успешно открылся в Москве". Archived from the original on 7 September 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
^ "Церковь Хиллсонг". Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
^ "Easter for everybody". Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.

External links

Official website (in Russian)

50°26′53.25″N 30°30′48.23″E / 50.4481250°N 30.5133972°E / 50.4481250; 30.5133972

[hey2011-1] Hey, Sam (2011). God in the Suburbs and Beyond: The Emergence of an Australian Megachurch and Denomination (PhD thesis). Griffith University. doi:10.25904/1912/3059. Retrieved 2 February 2022. PDF

[palgrave-2] Riches, Tanya; Wagner, Tom (2 November 2017). The Hillsong Movement examined: You call me out upon the waters. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-59656-3.

[conf2007-3] "Web Conference with Yevgeny and Vera Kasevich". News.invictory.org. 23 February 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2007. "...their fledgling church, which was also opened on October 4, 1992. (in Russian)

[eternitynews2015-4] "A church under siege in Kiev". Eternity News. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2022.

[Cohen_2022-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Cohen, Hagar; McDonald, Alex; Hunjan, Raveen; Christodoulou, Mario (6 April 2022). "Former Hillsong pastors say they were threatened by Brian Houston to hand over their church and assets". ABC News. 7.30. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2022.

[6] "YC Alberta 2006: Tell the world". Ycgeneration. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[7] "Помещения". Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.

[knowlesnguyen2022-8] Knowles, Lorna; Nguyen, Kevin (23 March 2022). "Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston resigns after internal misconduct investigation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[alexander2022-9] Alexander, Harriet (23 March 2022). "Brian Houston resigns as Hillsong pastor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

[knowles2022-10] Knowles, Lorna (24 March 2022). "How Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston's fall from grace played out over five days". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 March 2022.

[risu2007ru-11] "Киевские протестанты открыли в Москве новую церковь – «Хиллсонг»". www.risu.org.ua (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.

[risu2007eng-12] "Kyiv Evangelicals Open Hillsong Moscow Church". Religious Information Service of Ukraine. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.

[bible.com.ua-13] "Христианские новости. - Твоя Библия". Bible.com.ua. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[14] "Киевский «Хиллсонг» успешно открылся в Москве". Archived from the original on 7 September 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.

[15] "Церковь Хиллсонг". Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.

[16] "Easter for everybody". Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Multiple issues|
-{{Notability|Geography|date=August 2013}}
-{{Primary sources|date=August 2013}}
-{{More citations needed|date=August 2013}}}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
 {{Infobox church
 | color =
-| name = Hillsong Church Kiev
+| name = Hillsong Ukraine
-| fullname =
+| fullname = Hillsong Church Ukraine
 | img =
 | img size = 150
@@ Line 13: / Line 9: @@
 | denomination = [[Hillsong Church]]
 | founded date = October 1992
-| seniorpastor = [[Brian Houston (pastor)|Brian]] and [[Bobbie Houston]]
+| seniorpastor = Phil and Lucinda Dooley (global pastors)
-| pastor = Yuriy Ravnushkin
+| pastor = Yuriy Ravnushkin and Tanya Ravnushkin
 | country = Ukraine
-| website = {{URL|http://hillsong.com.ua/}}
+| website = {{URL|https://hillsong.com.ua/}}
 }}
-'''Hillsong Church Kiev''' (formerly '''Kiev Christian Life Centre''') is the [[Kyiv]]-based offshoot of [[Hillsong Church]] in [[Sydney]], Australia.
+'''Hillsong Ukraine''', also known as '''Hillsong Church Kyiv''' (formerly '''Kyiv Christian Life Centre''') is an offshoot of [[Hillsong Church]] from [[Sydney]], Australia, based in [[Kyiv]], Ukraine.
 ==History==
+[[Image:Hillsongkievconference2006.jpg|thumb|Praise and worship during the opening night of Hillsong Conference in Kyiv, 2006]]
-In September 1992, an outreach began in the [[October Palace, Kyiv|October Palace]] in Kyiv with team members from Hills Christian Life Centre (now known as Hillsong Church).  Australian worship leader David Evans, US pastor Mike Berry and former Hillsong youth pastor Darko Culjak as a part of Hillsong's Nation Builders mission outreach officially began the church in a 700-seat movie theatre in downtown Kyiv. But none of this would have been possible without the assistance of [[Pat Robertson]]'s [[Christian Broadcasting Network|CBN]] and their television ministry into the [[former Soviet Union]] under Steve Webber. Through their assistance hundreds of young people committed their lives to Christ. Out of these initial outreaches Darko Culjak became the senior minister and established the church (then called "Kiev Christian Life Centre") officially on 4 October 1992. Darko Culjak lead the church, raised up a ministry team from among the new converts and oversaw the new church until Kyiv's locally educated leaders could take over the work and come under the spiritual guidance of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia as autonomous independent Ukrainian church. On 1 June 1997, Darko turned the church over to a Ukrainian couple - Zhenya and Vera Kasevich, who had been with the church since the day it was planted and have thus become the new senior pastors of the church. After their appointment, Pastor Darko left and spent some rest time in the USA until he returned to Australia to pastor the Newcastle City Church.
+[[Hills Christian Life Centre]] was founded by [[Brian Houston]] in 1983 in [[Baulkham Hills]] (an outer suburb of [[Sydney]]), [[New South Wales]], Australia, later (2001) renamed as Hillsong Church.<ref name="hey2011">{{Cite thesis |last=Hey |first=Sam |title=God in the Suburbs and Beyond: The Emergence of an Australian Megachurch and Denomination |date=2011 |degree=PhD |publisher=[[Griffith University]] |url=https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/handle/10072/365629 |doi=10.25904/1912/3059 |access-date=2 February 2022}} [https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/365629/Hey_2011_02Thesis.pdf?sequence=1 PDF]</ref><ref name="palgrave">{{Cite book |last1=Riches |first1=Tanya |title=The Hillsong Movement examined: You call me out upon the waters |last2=Wagner |first2=Tom |date=2 November 2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-59656-3}}</ref>
+In September 1992, an outreach began in the [[October Palace, Kyiv]].{{cn|date=March 2022}} Australian worship leader David Evans, US pastor Mike Berry and former Hillsong youth pastor Darko Culjak officially began the church in a 700-seat movie theatre in downtown Kyiv. The establishment of the church was aided by [[Pat Robertson]]'s  [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] operating in the [[former Soviet Union]]. Culjak became the first senior minister and established the Kyiv Christian Life Centre officially on 4 October 1992.<ref name=conf2007/> Hillsong Kyiv was thus established a year after [[Ukraine]] obtained its independence from the Soviet Union.<ref name=eternitynews2015>{{cite web| title=A church under siege in Kiev | website=[[Eternity News]] | date=2 January 2015 | url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/archive/church-siege-kiev/ | access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> Hillsong sent some financial support, and the church was named Hillsong, although it was always independent of the Sydney organisation.<ref name="Cohen 2022"/>
+On 1 June 1997,{{cn|date=April 2022}}  Ievgenii (Zhenya) and Vera Kasevich became the new pastors of the church, and led the church and [[#Hillsong Moscow|its offshoot in Moscow]] for about 20 years, successfully building up the congregation by 2008.<ref name="Cohen 2022">{{cite web | last1=Cohen | first1=Hagar | first2= Alex |last2= McDonald | first3= Raveen | last3=Hunjan | first4=Mario | last4= Christodoulou | title=Former Hillsong pastors say they were threatened by Brian Houston to hand over their church and assets |website= ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |series= [[7.30]]| date=6 April 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-06/hillsong-property-empire-financial-control-over-churches/100969258 | access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> As of 2007, the church held six to seven services each weekend with a combined attendance of around 3000. The Kasevichs were invited to speak at various churches and Christian conferences around the globe.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ycgeneration.com/yc2006/guests_zk.asp|title=YC Alberta 2006: Tell the world| website=Ycgeneration |accessdate=21 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927031419/http://www.ycgeneration.com/yc2006/guests_zk.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The  church budget was around $1 million a year, all from donations, but Hillsong made the Kasevichs pay up to $13,000 for first-class air tickets to fly speakers to a conference in Kyiv.<ref name="Cohen 2022"/>
+Hillsong Kyiv did not initially own a worship centre, renting an exhibition marquee in industrial outskirts of Kyiv for its services, but purchased two offices in 2002 and 2007 on credit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsong.com.ua/church/venues.html |title=Помещения|access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915235705/http://www.hillsong.com.ua/church/venues.html |archive-date=15 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
+In February 2014, the Kasevichs wanted the Kyiv church to retain its independence, but Brian Houston said that if they broke away, he would open a rival Hillsong church in the city. They felt they had no choice but to hand over the churches and assets and resign, as they did not want to break up the congregation. Hillsong records later showed that Hillsong Church requested a "voluntary donation" of the proceeds of the sale of a property, as well as over $US230,000 in cash. The Kasevichs wanted to emigrate to the United States, and there is evidence that Hillsong said that they could make things difficult for the couple with the American authorities, although Houston later denied this.<ref name="Cohen 2022"/>
+After their departure, the Kasevichs were banned from church events and therefore from the congregation (their "family"), and their emails and online connection to the Hillsong database were cut. They were asked to sign a [[non-disclosure agreement]] which excluded them from attending services at Hillsong Kyiv or Moscow, and from contacting any of Hillsong's staff or volunteers.<ref name="Cohen 2022"/>
+Yuri and Tanya Ravnushkin became lead pastors of the church, which is or was located on the outskirts of the city.<ref name=eternitynews2015/>
+In March 2022, Brian Houston resigned from the board of Hillsong Church Sydney and from his role as global senior pastor as a result of breaching the moral code of the church in his behaviour with two women, and Phil and Lucinda Dooley took over both roles.<ref name=knowlesnguyen2022>{{cite web | last1=Knowles | first1=Lorna| first2= Kevin|last2= Nguyen | title=Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston resigns after internal misconduct investigation | website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=23 March 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-23/hillsong-church-founder-brian-houston-resigns/100932318 | access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=alexander2022>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Harriet |date=2022-03-23 |title=Brian Houston resigns as Hillsong pastor |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/brian-houston-resigns-as-hillsong-pastor-20220323-p5a76y.html |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=knowles2022>{{cite web | last=Knowles | first=Lorna | title=How Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston's fall from grace played out over five days |website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]  | date=24 March 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-24/hillsong-church-founder-brian-houston-fall-from-grace/100934680 | access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
+===Hillsong Moscow===
+<!---Hillsong Moscow redirects here for now --->
+In early 2007,<ref name=risu2007ru/> after three years of preparation, Hillsong Kyiv launched its first service in [[Moscow]],<ref name=risu2007eng/> with subsequent large services, attended both by interested Christians from other churches and  new people, held in April and May.<ref name=risu2007ru>{{cite web |url=http://www.risu.org.ua/rus/news/article;16887/ |title=Киевские протестанты открыли в Москве новую церковь – «Хиллсонг»|website=www.risu.org.ua |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121222190635/http://www.risu.org.ua/rus/news/article;16887/ |lang=ru|archive-date=22 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> From summer 2007 Hillsong Moscow held services in the [[Stas Namin Theatre]], in the city centre near [[Gorky Park (Moscow)|Gorky Park]].<ref name=risu2007eng>{{Cite news |date=24 July 2007 |title=Kyiv Evangelicals Open Hillsong Moscow Church |publisher=Religious Information Service of Ukraine |url=http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;16898/ |url-status=dead  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910211949/http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;16898/ |archive-date=10 September 2012}}</ref> In June 2007, the church successfully completed the registration process. The church plant was cooperatively supported by the Moscow-based Good News Church pastored by [[Rick Renner]].<ref name="bible.com.ua"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.invictory.org/issue13083.html |title=Киевский «Хиллсонг» успешно открылся в Москве|access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907074450/http://news.invictory.org/issue13083.html |archive-date=7 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
+The church in Moscow was pastored by Kyiv pastors Zhenya and Vera Kasevich until their departure in 2014.<ref name="Cohen 2022"/> As of 2015, Hillsong Moscow was led by Vadim Feshchenko, and the two churches were on friendly terms, despite the conflict between the two countries.<ref name=eternitynews2015/>
-As of 2007, the church holds 6 to 7 services each weekend (the number changes from season to season) with a combined attendance of around 3000. Pastor Zhenya and Vera have since gained an international recognition and are being invited to speak at various churches and Christian conferences around the globe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ycgeneration.com/yc2006/guests_zk.asp|title=YC Alberta 2006: TELL THE WORLD|website=Ycgeneration.com|accessdate=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927031419/http://www.ycgeneration.com/yc2006/guests_zk.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2014, Zhenya and Vera announced to resign and later, Yuri and Tetiana Ravnushkin were appointed as the new Lead Pastors of Hillsong Church Kiev.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
 ==Ministries==
-Hillsong Kiev tries to align its ministries structure with that of the mother church in Sydney. There are three-part courses for new believers, named "Discovery". The church reflects the belief that small "connect groups" are essential for the fellowship spirit within the church, especially as it gets larger. Connect groups and sometimes special services are held for people of various ages and with various interests, such as youth, or "people over 40", or those who like fishing or computers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsong.com.ua/ministries/index.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826195819/http://www.hillsong.com.ua/ministries/index.html |archive-date=26 August 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Hillsong Kiev is characterized by a high level of involvement of its members in serving at the church and is believed by observers to have the best level of the organization of ministry among all Protestant churches in Europe.<ref name="bible.com.ua">{{cite web|url=http://www.bible.com.ua/news/r/35571|title=Христианские новости. - Твоя Библия|website=Bible.com.ua|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref>
+Hillsong Kyiv aligned its structure with that of Sydney Hillsong. As of 2007 there were three-part courses for new believers, named "Discovery".  "Connect groups" and sometimes special services were held for people of various ages and with various interests, such as youth, or "people over 40", or those who like fishing or computers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsong.com.ua/ministries/index.html |title=Церковь Хиллсонг |access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826195819/http://www.hillsong.com.ua/ministries/index.html |archive-date=26 August 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Hillsong Kyiv is characterised by a high level of involvement of its members in serving at the church and in 2017 was assessed by researchers as having the best level of the organisation of ministry among all Protestant churches in Europe.<ref name="bible.com.ua">{{cite web|url=http://www.bible.com.ua/news/r/35571| title=Христианские новости. - Твоя Библия|website=Bible.com.ua|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref><ref name=risu2007eng/>
-[[Image:Hillsongkievconference2006.jpg|thumb|Praise and worship during the opening night of Hillsong Conference in Kyiv, 2006]]
 ===Conferences===
-As both [[Hillsong Church]] in Sydney and [[Hillsong London|London]], Hillsong Kiev holds three yearly conferences: the Hillsong Conference, the Colour Your World conference for women, and a men's conference. The Hillsong Conference, meant to equip other churches with both Biblical teaching and practical advice on organizing the life of a church, gathered about 3000 delegates from more than 250 churches from 12 countries, mainly representing the former Soviet bloc, in 2006.
+As both [[Hillsong Church]] in Sydney and [[Hillsong London|London]], Hillsong Kyiv holds three yearly conferences: the Hillsong Conference, the Colour Your World conference for women, and a men's conference. The Hillsong Conference, meant to equip other churches with both Biblical teaching and practical advice on organising the life of a church, gathered about 3000 delegates from more than 250 churches from 12 countries, mainly representing the former Soviet bloc, in 2006.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
+The Colour conference was cancelled in 2014 owing to the [[Russo-Ukrainian war]]. In July 2014, at Hillsong's major conference in Sydney, Kyiv lead pastor Yuriy Ravnushkin spoke about the difficulties of keeping the church going during those times.<ref name=eternitynews2015/>
 ===Social work===
-The church has a history of helping orphanages in Kyiv and Kyiv area, supporting sick people in hospitals treating cancer, reaching out to homeless children and inmates in correctional centres.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsong.com.ua/transforminglives/index.php?r=TransformingLives |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811041738/http://www.hillsong.com.ua/transforminglives/index.php?r=TransformingLives |archive-date=11 August 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
+The church has a history of helping orphanages in Kyiv and nearby, supporting sick people in hospitals treating cancer, reaching out to homeless children and inmates in [[correctional centre]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsong.com.ua/transforminglives/index.php?r=TransformingLives |title=Easter for everybody|access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811041738/http://www.hillsong.com.ua/transforminglives/index.php?r=TransformingLives |archive-date=11 August 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2015 Tanya Ravnushkin reported that they had "started to do a whole lot more outside our doors", and refugee children had been accepted into the church and into the homes of members.<ref name=eternitynews2015/>
 ===Bible college===
-The church has a Bible college offering a 1- to 3-year studies plan, meant mainly for those who wish to serve in the church, although participation in ministry at the "helps" level is not contingent on a person's completing a study course. Students from Protestant churches of other cities of Ukraine as well as other former Soviet-bloc countries also come for training.
+The church has a Bible college, meant mainly for those who wish to serve in the church. Students from Protestant churches of other cities of Ukraine as well as other former [[Soviet bloc]] countries also come for training.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
-The first year offers a basic study course on the main topics of the (neo)Protestant doctrine, with evening classes conducted once a week. The second year offers a more solid course in both theology and ministerial practice. The third year is meant for those aiming at full-time ministry and recommended by church leadership.
-==Offshoot in Moscow==
-On 1 March 2007, Hillsong Kiev launched its first service in [[Moscow]], with subsequent large services, attended both by interested Christians from other churches and  new people, held in April and May.<ref>[https://archive.is/20121222190635/http://www.risu.org.ua/rus/news/article;16887/]</ref> In June 2007, the church successfully completed the registration process. As of June 2009, its average worship service attendance is about 200 people. The church plant was cooperatively supported by the Moscow-based Good News Church pastored by [[Rick Renner]].<ref name="bible.com.ua"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.invictory.org/issue13083.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907074450/http://news.invictory.org/issue13083.html |archive-date=7 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
-The church in Moscow was also pastored by Zhenya and Vera Kasevich. They spent a part of the week in Kyiv and a part of the week in Moscow.
 ==Music==
 {{main|Hillsong Music}}
-Hillsong Kiev, as of August 2007, has recorded 16 various albums, including youth and children's albums. Mainly, the songs on the albums are translations of the songs written at Hillsong Church in Sydney, and recently, Hillsong London, but there are also original songs written mainly by Vera Kasevich, who also serves as the church's worship pastor, and her and Zhenya's son Roman Kasevich.
+Hillsong Kyiv has recorded many albums, including youth and children's albums. The songs were initially translations of the songs written at Hillsong Church in Sydney Hillsong London, but there are also original songs written mainly by Vera Kasevich, who served as the church's worship pastor, and her and Zhenya's son Roman Kasevich.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
-There have been nearly 20 album recordings.
-==Venues==
-Hillsong Kiev does not yet own a worship centre, renting an exhibition marquee in industrial outskirts of Kyiv for its services. It does own two offices, purchased in 2002 and 2007 on credit with instalments from both contributors from the church itself, and supporters abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hillsong.com.ua/church/venues.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915235705/http://www.hillsong.com.ua/church/venues.html |archive-date=15 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
 ==Criticism==
-The criticism of the Hillsong Church Kiev is similar to the criticism expressed with regard to the mother church in Australia (by Australian churches belonging to other denominations) and reflects the general disapproval of certain aspects of what [[Pentecostal]]s/[[Charismatic movement|charismatics]] believe in from the more traditional Protestant denominations. In particular, the [[Prosperity theology|teaching on prosperity]] is the target of attacks. However, according to Pastor Yevgeny Kasevich, he would not "go to the extremes" when teaching prosperity believing that "we are blessed (only) to be a blessing to others".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.invictory.org/issue10443.html|title=Web Conference with Yevgeny and Vera Kasevich|website=News.invictory.org|accessdate=14 October 2007|date=23 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017114852/http://news.invictory.org/issue10443.html|archive-date=17 October 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} (in Russian)</ref>
+The criticism of the Hillsong Church Kyiv is similar to the criticism expressed with regard to the mother church in Australia and reflects the general disapproval of certain aspects of what [[Pentecostal]]s/[[Charismatic movement|charismatics]] believe in, often from the more traditional Protestant denominations. In particular, the [[Prosperity theology|teaching on prosperity]] is the target of attacks. However, according to Zhenya Kasevich, he would not "go to the extremes" when teaching prosperity believing that "we are blessed (only) to be a blessing to others".<ref name=conf2007>{{cite news|url=http://news.invictory.org/issue10443.html| title=Web Conference with Yevgeny and Vera Kasevich| website=News.invictory.org | accessdate=14 October 2007|date=23 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017114852/http://news.invictory.org/issue10443.html|archive-date=17 October 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all| quote="...their fledgling church, which was also opened on October 4, 1992.}} (in Russian)</ref>
+In April 2022, speaking from their new home in the U.S., former pastors Zhenya and Vera Kasevich criticised the way that Hillsong Australia's general manager George Aghajanian had forced them to hand over the church and assets to the global organisation in 2014, and accused Hillsong of wanting to add it to their property portfolio.<ref name="Cohen 2022"/>
 ==References==
@@ Line 67: / Line 73: @@
 {{Hillsong2}}
+{{Megachurches}}
 [[Category:Hillsong Church]]

v t e Hillsong
Churches	Hillsong Church Brisbane São Paulo Toronto United Kingdom Kyiv New York City
Ministries	Hillsong College Hillsong Channel Hillsong Conference
Music	Albums Musicians Songs Hillsong Worship Hillsong United (discography) Hillsong Young & Free
Leadership	Brian Houston Bobbie Houston
Other	Carl Lentz (former pastor, 2010–2020) Hillsong: Let Hope Rise Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed