Broken Arrow Church Expands Mission To Help Russian Immigrants

Dan Bewley, News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- A Broken Arrow family is working to fulfill their dream of helping Russian immigrants.

The Borlaks founded a church 14 years ago but they never had a home. The family is now getting close to laying down permanent roots.

It's just an empty lot with some construction equipment now, but by this time next year it should be the home of a new church dedicated to serving immigrants from eastern Europe.

Slavik Borlak and his son are working hard to lay the foundation for what will become the European Golgatha Church.

The elder Borlak was born into a Christian family in communist Moldova, that's near Russia. He came to the United States in 1995 with a calling from God to minister to eastern European immigrants.

For the past 14 years his church has been renting space from another church in Broken Arrow. When he started the church there were only 15 members but now it's grown to more than 120 and it's time, he says, for their own place of worship.

Finding the money to pay for it has been a challenge. Church members have donated money, they've held fundraisers, and they've even posted an ad on Craigslist.

The church has raised $100,000 but they need another $170,000. They're confident that it will happen, saying they have faith God will provide.

"We pray and we know that God will help us but we don't know from which way but we believe that God will find a way," said Daniil Borlak, Pastor's Son.

The Borlak's hope to have construction finished by mid to late summer. They hope to have a grand opening or dedication in time for next Christmas.