Medical Ministry has long been a valued part of SGA’s humanitarian support. Teams use precious opportunities to share the Gospel with those for whom they have provided medical help.
Medical mission has never been more needed in Ukraine, since many local doctors have relocated to safer places. Also, due to the constant shelling it is dangerous for people to travel to the hospital from remote villages.
Thanks to the financial support of SGA, medical teams have been able to carry out monthly mobile clinics, mainly in settlements close to the war frontline. Sergey Shalinsky, an SGA sponsored pastor and trained nurse who organises such clinics, shared two examples of how this ministry is impacting people both physically and spiritually.
The village of Posad-Pokrovskoe, near Kherson, is one of the most war-damaged villages in Ukraine. Almost all the houses have been destroyed, and only about 10% of the population remain in this formerly large village. The House of Prayer there was also destroyed, and from the small church, only four believing women remained living in the village.
Humanly speaking, it seemed that the church ministry was finished, but near the destroyed House of Prayer these ladies set up a tent to conduct services. The medical clinic was held there too. Sergey writes, “It is especially joyful that on the Sunday before our second visit to that village, 120 people came to the meeting. And even in winter, this tent on service days is full of people who want to listen to the Word of God”.
Sergey doing eye checks
There is a similar situation in the church in the village of Chernobaevka. Most of the members of this church left the village, but a small group of Christians (8 people) remained, together with their pastor, and are actively serving the people in their area. The Lord has blessed their efforts with 100-120 people regularly attending the Sunday services.
During the medical team’s last trip to this village, there was heavy shelling close to the house where they spent the night. We are grateful to God that He protected them, and no one was hurt. Sergey continues: “Five days after our departure, during another shelling, one woman who was at our clinic was killed. We cannot stop such tragedies, but we can serve, show love, and share the Gospel that gives eternal life”.
Praise God for the willingness of these believers to serve in this way. May God continue to bless this ministry.