A number of SGA sponsored missionaries have had to relocate due to the war. However, most of them stayed in Ukraine and continue to help refugees both socially and spiritually.
Those who have their own vehicles provide transport for people and carry humanitarian aid to the military and civilians where there is an urgent need.
Some already have new groups of non-church people who are ready to study the Bible and attend services. One of our partners in mission said, ‘It is remarkable that in the midst of war, God finds those who did not seek Him in peacetimes’.
It was obvious during a recent SGA trip that the missionary pastors were mentally and physically exhausted. A short retreat in the Carpathian mountains was suggested to provide rest and spiritual encouragement for those who work in the country.
SGA’s Regional Coordinator, Roman Wecherkovskiy, planned the SGA-funded event, and spent time with the families. The following are a few testimonies from some missionary pastors who benefited from the retreat.
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“It is a great honour to serve in God’s vineyard, to preach the Gospel of God’s grace. We thank God for providing through you, for us to be in some beauty places in the Carpathian Mountains. This retreat has been a blessing for our bodies and souls. Praise God we can minister together as we fulfil the great commission. May we continue to minister for Him in these difficult times for all of us.”
“We want to thank you so much for the time you have provided for us. We are married for 16 years and this is the first time for the two of us to be somewhere together. Thank you for the blessing and support from you. We are so glad to have a retreat time.”
“For the first time in our lives, we can see this beauty. This is the first time for me and my wife Maria to have a retreat. This is a huge blessing for us so thank you for this opportunity to relax and have fellowship with brothers and sisters. May God richly bless you.”
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Pray that God will continue to strengthen His faithful servants and that together we will be able to provide necessary support and encouragement. Ukraine needs strong spiritual leaders!
It is difficult to know what will happen to believers and churches in the Lugansk, Donetsk. Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions which Russia is trying to annex. Our partners have said that in some cities of the Zaporizhzhia region, the Russian occupiers have already closed prayer houses and declared that there will be nothing but Orthodoxy there, because everything else is a sect.
Pray for God’s people in these locations.