The Christian Church Grace by Faith was founded in 2008 by Bishop Oleksandr Bespalov.
During his pastoral leadership, a strong foundation was laid. Every year, he asked the Lord what to do next, and God responded, “Lay the foundation.” And Pastor Oleksandr would say, “God, what are You building here that is so mighty?”
A lot of work was done: running multiple Bible schools and Bible college, the “Practical Faith Instruction” school, starting churches in Drohobych, Transcarpathia, working at prison ministry, and much more.
When God started the church in Lviv, He gave a word that the church in Lviv would be an open gateway to Europe. And now we see the fulfillment of this word, which is being preached around the world: in the USA, Canada, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Our Vision
1
To share the joyful message of what Jesus has done for humanity with every resident of Lviv, our country, and beyond.
2
To welcome newborns in Christ into our fellowship, loving them and believing the best for them.
3
To lead believers to spiritual maturity through discipleship, gatherings, seminars, and Bible colleges.
4
To prepare each believer for meaningful ministry (through understanding the importance of a godly character and the ability to act in God’s power), helping them recognize the gifts and talents God has placed within them, so they can fulfill the mission God has given them in this world.
5
To send out missionaries, called and separated by God for service (especially to Europe), to carry out the Great Commission and plant new churches.
6
To build a magnificent international Bible center Grace by Faith with thousands of seats. It will include parking, an entertainment zone, a park, restaurants, sports fields, and a residential complex.
7
To establish an accredited university that will transform the social, economic, and political landscape of our country.
8
To leave an unshakable legacy of faith for many generations.
Dimensions of Church Growth
Evangelism
Our church grows larger through evangelism
Fellowship
Our church grows warmer through fellowship in love
Worship
Our church grows deeper in worshiping God as our Father
Discipleship
Our church grows mature and free through discipleship
Service
Our church grows wider through service
Our Mission
The Lord has given us the commission to carry the revelation of God’s Word about the reality of redemption to the whole world — about what Jesus accomplished for us through His death and resurrection.
We want every person to see and believe in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ and to receive the full benefits it provides. We believe it is God’s deep desire for people to experience, in their own lives, all the blessings that have been made available to them through His undeserved grace and favor.
We affirm that God has already determined for every believer in Jesus Christ to live in the victory that has been given to us in Him. Because of what Jesus did for us two thousand years ago, today we can walk triumphantly through this life, enjoying His victory over sin, sickness, the curse, poverty, and death.
We want to help you grow spiritually in the Lord and receive all the spiritual equipment you need to fulfill God’s calling for your life and to receive your full reward!
We believe the time has come for you to live a new life and reign on this earth — receiving by faith the riches of God’s unmerited favor and the gift of right standing before Him!
Foundations of Faith
The Christian Church Grace by Faith is a local church based in Lviv.
Our vision is to bring the Good News of what God has done for us in Christ to every heart.
We believe and affirm the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth:
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; He ascended to heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will never end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy universal and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
We believe in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. We believe that all Scripture is inspired by God and is the unshakable foundation of sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 4:4-6).
We believe in the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His immaculate conception, sinless life, His healing power, His miracles, His atoning death through sacrifice on the cross, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Mediator. We believe that the Lord Jesus will return again, as He promised (John 14:2-3, Matthew 24:30).
We believe that water baptism is an outward expression of our faith, demonstrating the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus (Acts 8:12, Romans 6:4).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He leads us in all areas of our lives (John 14:26). We believe in baptism with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues (Acts 2:1-4). We believe in the nine gifts of the Spirit and the nine fruits of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Galatians 5:22-23).
We believe in the Good News — that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3:16-17). We believe that we are called to carry this Good News — the Gospel of grace — to all nations (Acts 20:24).
We believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Bible tells us: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
Church History
— 2008
The foundation of the church was laid in 2008 by Bishop Oleksandr Bespalov.
— 2010
In response to God’s call, Yevhen Kiselov came to the mission and immediately became an active part of the ministry, doing everything that was needed: evangelism, work with children and youth, and assisting in all areas of the ministry.
— 2012
Yevhen Kiselov was appointed as the acting pastor.
— 2013
The Kiselov family was ordained for full-time ministry in the city of Lviv.
— 2013 – present
The international ministry Grace by Faith was launched, six Bible schools and a Bible college were held, and new churches were opened in Ternopil, Zhovkva, Uzhhorod, Odesa, Kyiv, Myrhorod, and Karlivka.