This year is the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster in the north of Ukraine. On April 26, 1986, the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded resulting in the initial evacuation of over 100,000 people. Subsequently, over 200,000 more were relocated to reduce radiation exposure.
In the villages of Ivankiv, Krasiatychi, and Mlachivka, near the restricted 30-kilometer exclusion zone, local churches are busy in sharing the message of Hope.
The village of Krasiatychi had experienced Russian occupation at the start of the war, and as a result its population has declined. However, the church, that has existed for more than 10 years, gathers people from the neighbouring villages where there are no churches and bring them to the various meetings.
In addition to regular Sunday services, the church organises training programmes, children’s meetings, and camps. They conduct men’s ministry and various social outreach programmes in nearby villages. They are also involved in ministry to soldiers and participate in chaplaincy work in hospitals in the Kyiv region.
The churches in Ivankiv, Krasiatychi, and Mlachivka would greatly appreciate your prayers as they endeavour to maintain a Gospel witness in this area and share the message of Hope and Salvation found in Christ alone.