Serghey Shalinsky is an SGA sponsored missionary pastor in Ukraine, on the border with Moldova. Remembered by SGA staff as a dedicated student at the Balti Mission School, Serghey has proved to be a visionary with a desire to expand Gospel ministry in his region.
He began his recent report by reminding us of a request he made earlier this year,
‘to pray that my church would be able to effectively minister to people in times of crisis. I did not anticipate the size of the crisis that came in late February due to the outbreak of war.’
He is thankful to God who gives the believers strength to be able to serve huge numbers of people. He lives and serves close to one of the few checkpoints in operation during the war, located between Ukraine and Moldova. Due to its location, many refugees have passed through the city needing accommodation.
Serghey goes on to explain how his family and church members have provided for refugees in their homes.
‘It was cold outside, and we tried not to refuse anyone who asked. So, one evening a group of 40 refugees from the Donetsk region called me and said that in 30 minutes they were coming to our city, and they needed somewhere to spend the night. Then I received 16 people for dinner in my small apartment, half of them spent the night with me, and half with my parents. At the same time, my wife and I went to bed on the kitchen floor, but we were glad that these people spent the night somewhere warm. From many who found shelter with us, I heard words of gratitude to God for the fact that they found help in the homes of believers.’
While Serghey and others were serving the various needs of the refugees, he became aware that many of them required medical help. Serghey is a former nurse, and one of a team of medical practitioners, who carry on a medical ministry supported by SGA. He organized a medical clinic in one of the schools in his city, where approximately 100 refugees live.
After the liberation of the Chernigov region from the Russian military, two village clinics were held there with a team of doctors. The destruction observed by the team in the region was testament to the recent horrors of war. They found people living in the ruins of their former houses, traumatised by their experiences as they tried to provide for their daily needs.
The story of one elderly lady encapsulated the horror and cruelty of the hostilities. During the occupation her entire family had been killed. Her husband and two sons had died. Her daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren had been killed and she was completely alone. Sadly, her tragic circumstances were not unique, but clearly underline the need for Christian doctors to serve the people in the name of Christ.
Pray that Serghey and his team will be able to not only bring healing to the body but share the Gospel that offers salvation for the soul!