ONE of the leaders of Ukraine's free church is visiting East Lancashire to meet the people who are helping to rejuvenate his country.

Peter Serdichenko was threatened with deportation to Siberia during the dark days of the Communist regime.

And as the Bishop of Odesse he saw at first hand the suffering of people caught up in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

But he has responded to adversity by devoting himself to helping victims to rebuild their lives.

For the last three years he has worked in partnership with the British relief organisation International Aid Supplies and UK organiser Bernard Cocker, from Withnell.

Now he is visiting East Lancashire for two weeks to report on the latest situation in the Ukraine, attend local churches and meet aid workers in this country. Peter is the Pentecostal Church's second in command in the Ukraine and oversees around 60 churches.

He has been joined in this country by his wife Tatinana and his daughter Valentina, who acts as his interpreter.

Bernard said: "He has been through persecution because of his faith and threatened with being sent to Siberia.

"At one point he had to be ready to move at 15 minutes' notice because of the threats.

"We were looking for someone to work with in whom we could have confidence and for the last three years he has been absolutely marvellous."

The International Aid Supplies organisation has organised regular convoys to the Ukraine and has built a hospice for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

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