Presbyterian Mission Agency olya balaban Archives

olya balaban

Faith of the heart

Posted October 23rd, 2024

In the sanctuary of avenue church nyc, Olya Balaban is unpacking small sandwich bags containing adjustable blue and yellow wrist bands — friendship bracelets in another vernacular — each adorned with a unique metal decoration. They are mementos brought from the Center for Creative Activities and Center for Sports in Izmail, Ukraine, supplementing a presentation by Balaban’s colleague, the Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble.

PC(USA) pastor brings stories from Ukraine to a US audience

Posted June 4th, 2024

In a presentation that featured a Zoom conversation with three people on the ground in Ukraine, the Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble, executive director of This Child Here, spoke on the topic “The Lamentations of Ukraine” with clergy and members of churches in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery last week.