“Build back better” has become a political catchphrase of the moment. It encapsulates the desire that all regions of the UK should benefit from post-pandemic investment and growth.
Maybe a similar phrase could be used to describe what has been happening in the evangelical churches of Ukraine. Despite the war, some are reporting significant growth in attendance, especially in numbers of non-church people.
On Easter Sunday, in a church near Kharkiv, the hall was full. Many who attended were non-church people from the area who have begun to attend regularly, to seek consolation in God’s Word and fellowship with Christians.
Similar reports have reached us from the Chernihiv region since the Russian Army retreated. New people are joining the churches. Even though public transport has not been restored, many are still making their way to services.
Forty-five people gathered in the church for worship, and fifteen of them accepted Christ into their hearts.
One Chernihiv church reports having 75% of its congregation made up of non-church people. Part of the hall, which received a direct hit from shelling, has not yet been repaired.
Nevertheless, on Easter Sunday eight people professed faith in Jesus Christ. On the same day, God moved powerfully in another village in the region. Forty-five people gathered in the church for worship, and fifteen of them accepted Christ into their hearts.
Pray that believers will be strengthened to serve the Lord and that these new believers will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.