--- title: Rudy Balazhynets Honored with Ukraine's Golden Heart Medal | FOC description: Rudy Balazhynets awarded Ukraine’s prestigious Golden Heart Medal for exceptional service and compassion through Family of Christ International. Learn more image: https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Rudy%20Balazhynets%20Honored%20with%20Ukraines%20Golden%20Heart%20Medal.png --- 1 min read # Rudy Balazhynets Honored with Ukraine's Golden Heart Medal [ Family of Christ International ](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/author/family-of-christ-international) : Jul 16, 2025 7:38:37 AM [Press](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/press) [Ukraine](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/ukraine) ![Rudy Balazhynets Honored with Ukraine's Golden Heart Medal](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Rudy%20Balazhynets%20Honored%20with%20Ukraines%20Golden%20Heart%20Medal.png) At Family of Christ International, we’re incredibly proud to announce that our founder and dedicated leader, [Rudolf "Rudy" Balazhynets, has been awarded the prestigious **"Golden Heart" Medal** by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=23865941933070310&id=100002435122204&rdid=4kJfaLKFAbWC8fR9#). This distinguished award recognizes those who have shown exceptional courage, compassion, and commitment to the Ukrainian people during challenging times. ## A Heartfelt Message from Rudy Upon receiving this esteemed honor, Rudy expressed deep humility and gratitude: > "I want to thank God for Ukraine. I want to thank our incredible defenders, all our partners—both from other countries and from our homeland. To my power team and spiritual mentors, this award is yours too. You are a big part of this achievement. > > Thanks to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and to Myroslav Biletskyi for their trust and support of our regional military administration. We will continue to bring hope to people in these difficult times in our history." ## Serving Ukraine with Compassion Under Rudy’s leadership, Family of Christ has tirelessly provided humanitarian assistance, spiritual guidance, and practical support to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His unwavering dedication has transformed countless lives through relief efforts, community development projects, and spiritual mentorship. This recognition isn't merely a personal achievement—it represents the unified spirit and relentless efforts of our entire Family of Christ community, both in Ukraine and abroad. It embodies the collective strength and compassion of everyone who has supported our mission. ## Inspired to Do More Receiving the "Golden Heart" Medal fuels our resolve to continue serving and uplifting our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. Rudy’s vision remains clear: to deliver hope, healing, and practical love where it’s most needed, rooted firmly in our faith and trust in God. ## Join Us in Our Mission As we celebrate Rudy’s recognition, we invite you to continue supporting our efforts. Your prayers, donations, and partnership help us extend our reach, bringing hope and healing to those affected by crisis and conflict. Together, we can ensure that the "Golden Heart" awarded to Rudy continues to beat strong, spreading compassion throughout Ukraine and beyond. **Thank you for standing with us in faith and service.** [![Stand with Ukraine Donate Now CTA ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/22518572/939d515b-51f3-470a-8971-616f1b42236f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/22518572/939d515b-51f3-470a-8971-616f1b42236f) --- About Family of Christ International ![Family of Christ International Favicon Logo (Black)](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/FOC%20International%20Logo/Family%20of%20Christ%20International%20Favicon%20Logo%20(Black).png?width=123&height=107&name=Family%20of%20Christ%20International%20Favicon%20Logo%20(Black).png) From focusing attention on ongoing [humanitarian needs](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/how-we-help), to coordinating [volunteers](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/our-volunteers) and planning mission trips, to [raising financial support](https://shop.familyofchristinternational.org/), the purpose of [Family of Christ International](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/about-us) is to deliver help, hope and healing in the name of Jesus Christ to people and places in crisis. Whether you contribute online, donate stock or mail a check, every gift makes an impact. Learn more about ways to [get involved](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/get-involved) and [donate to support](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/donate). - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Ukraine's Boys U17 wins U19 Championship in USA Cup Weekend Tournament](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Feature%20Images%20%28News%20and%20Press%29/Press/Ukraine%20wins%20Weekend%20tourney.jpg) ](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/ukraines-boys-u17-soccer-team-wins-u19-championship-in-the-usa-cup-weekend-tournament) #### [Ukraine's Boys U17 wins U19 Championship in USA Cup Weekend Tournament](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/ukraines-boys-u17-soccer-team-wins-u19-championship-in-the-usa-cup-weekend-tournament) ![Picture of Nina Gilliam](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Compressed%20Images/Nina%20Gilliam%20Family%20of%20Christ.png?width=30&name=Nina%20Gilliam%20Family%20of%20Christ.png) [Nina Gilliam](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/author/nina-gilliam) : Jul 16, 2023 10:21:00 AM BLAINE, MN – July 16, 2023 -- Ukraine's FC Minaj Boys U17 soccer team captured the USA Cup Weekend Tournament championship title in the Boys U19 Red... [Press](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/press) [Soccer Academy](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/soccer-academy) [Ukraine](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/ukraine) [Read More](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/ukraines-boys-u17-soccer-team-wins-u19-championship-in-the-usa-cup-weekend-tournament) [![Pastor Vadim’s Journey: Growing Faith Amid Ukraine's War](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Feature%20Images%20%28News%20and%20Press%29/News/Group%20of%20Family%20of%20Christ%20International%20volunteers%20sorting%20through%20supplies%20for%20those%20in%20need%20in%20Ukraine%20paid%20for%20by%20generous%20donors.png) ](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/pastor-vadims-journey) #### [Pastor Vadim’s Journey: Growing Faith Amid Ukraine's War](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/pastor-vadims-journey) [Family of Christ International](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/author/family-of-christ-international) : Feb 11, 2025 11:50:09 AM When the war in Ukraine began, countless families faced unimaginable challenges and uncertainty. It was during this time that Pastor Vadim stepped... [Ukraine](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/ukraine) [Humanitarian Aid](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/humanitarian-aid) [Volunteers](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/volunteers) [Spiritual Development](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/spiritual-development) [Read More](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/pastor-vadims-journey) [![Ukraine Still Needs Our Support: Let’s Stand Together in Faith and Action](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Email%20Images/Family%20of%20Christ%203rd%20Anniversary%20.png) ](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/ukraine-still-needs-our-support) #### [Ukraine Still Needs Our Support: Let’s Stand Together in Faith and Action](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/ukraine-still-needs-our-support) [Family of Christ International](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/author/family-of-christ-international) : Apr 3, 2025 9:49:10 AM Over the past year, the world has witnessed significant developments in the relationship between the United States and Ukraine—heartening gestures of... [Press](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/press) [Ukraine](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/ukraine) [Charitable Giving](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/charitable-giving) [Humanitarian Aid](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/humanitarian-aid) [Volunteers](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/volunteers) [Community Development](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/community-development) [Spiritual Development](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/tag/spiritual-development) [Read More](https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/ukraine-still-needs-our-support) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Family of Christ International", "url" : "https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/author/family-of-christ-international" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-16T12:38:37.872Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-16T12:38:37.000Z", "headline" : "Rudy Balazhynets Honored with Ukraine's Golden Heart Medal | FOC", "image" : [ "https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Rudy%20Balazhynets%20Honored%20with%20Ukraines%20Golden%20Heart%20Medal.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/blog/rudy-balazhynets-honored-with-ukraines-golden-heart-medal-foc", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.familyofchristinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/FOC%20International%20Logo/international%20logo.png" }, "name" : "Family of Christ International" } } ```