Despite being urged by their government to leave their homes and churches, there are pastors, church leaders and Christians who have ignored such advice due to the needs around them. In a war zone, such an admirable decision comes with considerable risk.
Pastor Volodymyr Sermenov knows all about serving the Lord in difficult and trying circumstances. He ministers in Selydove, a town in the Donetsk region of East Ukraine which has known heavy fighting.
On the night of February 13 the town came under attack from Russian missiles. His family decided to leave their home because they believed it was dangerous. They had arranged to stay in another location, free from shelling. Although Volodymyr was initially inclined to stay, he was persuaded by his 4-year-old grandson to join the rest of the family as they left Selydove. It was a decision that saved his life.
Later, in the early hours of the morning, a Russian missile hit his home, completely destroying his accommodation block and most of his possessions. It was clear that no one would have survived such an impact. Amazingly however, the attached building used for their church meetings suffered relatively minor damage. As a result, just three days later Pastor Volodymyr was standing in his pulpit sharing his testimony and speaking of the hope that can only be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Denominational leaders have tried to persuade Volodymyr to leave the area for at least a short period of time to help him recover from such a devastating attack. He has refused, stating that the people need him and the message he brings to them.
Please continue to pray for men and women like Pastor Volodymyr. They need the constant help, protection and enabling power of our Almighty God as they serve in such difficult and dangerous situations.