Pastor Ruslan (right) speaks to the congregation
Hope Church was born out of a need for spiritual fellowship among immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and other former Soviet territories. While several of these families initially attended various churches across Chicagoland, the language barrier — many were not yet fluent in English — made it difficult to feel truly at home.
The idea emerged to gather Russian-speaking believers in hopes of forming their own congregation. “Out of that need, vision, and deep sense of community, Hope Church was born,” says Pastor Ruslan Drumi. “It was planted to be a place where people from across the former Soviet Union could worship, grow in faith, and support one another as they built new lives in America.”
The war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, sent shockwaves through the Hope Church community. Refugees fleeing the conflict arrived with a desire to worship in Ukrainian. In response, some existing members left, taking up to half of the children and youth group to form a distinctly Ukrainian fellowship.
For a time, the future of Hope Church seemed uncertain. But the 15th anniversary service proved God's faithfulness, showing a church that is not only surviving, but thriving despite the challenges.
Over the past 15 years, between 200 and 300 people have called Hope Church home. While many have moved away in pursuit of new opportunities, the church continues to serve as a refuge in the city — a place of healing, connection and growth.
Pastor Ruslan shares the church’s vision: “We want to serve people both offline — in our local community — and online, where our reach has extended far beyond America’s borders.”
Hope Church is also committed to discipling second- and third-generation members to help them embrace their heritage, their identity, and, above all, their God.
Matthew Lucio is the Illinois Conference assistant to the president for communication.
