SUPPORT UKRAINIAN CHURCHES

Contribute to Refugee Aid and Church Planting

On February 24 Ivan Bespalov, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Kyiv, Ukraine, woke up to a flood of phone calls and messages from his worried church members. The imminent Russian siege of their city forced many to flee their homes to western Ukraine and into bordering countries. But not all of Ivan’s congregants had the ability to evacuate. 

As Ivan promised the home-bound members of his congregation that the church would not leave them behind, he and his family made the brave decision to stay in Kyiv. An additional third of the congregation also stayed to serve the community members who were unable to leave. Though his church had dispersed, Ivan continued to faithfully minister to the shocked and scared people in his city. 

Today, there are 10 million Ukrainians displaced from their homes, many whose homes have now been destroyed by bombings and explosions. Those who remain in Russian occupied territories wake up every day fearful it could be their last. But in the middle of the devastation, MTW missionaries and Ukrainian pastors carry on the mission of the church, preaching the gospel and caring for those in desperate need.

PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN WORD AND DEED

According to MTW Ukraine Country Director Jon Eide, the response to the war crisis has been unbelievable. Churches and people throughout Europe opened their homes to host refugees. Europe and the United States continue to send massive amounts of humanitarian aid and financial giving remains at an unprecedented amount. And through this tragedy God has provided opportunity for the gospel to go forth.

After the early, dark days of the war, Ivan and the congregation in Kyiv began in-person church services in a seminary library. Gathering for worship has been a great relief following a period of isolation. It allows them to encourage and strengthen each other in God’s grace in order to endure their current suffering.

Similar things are happening across Eastern Europe. Christians are assembling to bring the hope of the gospel to the traumatized men, women, and children of Ukraine. They are meeting for worship services, hosting Bible studies, and caring for the emotional and physical needs of their neighbors. In word and deed, they proclaim Christ’s love for the broken and point to His victory over the kingdom of darkness.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 

According to Ivan, the war has created a unique ministry opportunity for the Church which he sees continuing in the aftermath of the war. “We will need those who will be able to spread the Word of God,” he said. “And we will be able to introduce those who seek the Lord, who come back from this war, whose worldview is shaken, spiritually and psychologically devastated. They need a place where they could come and find a spiritual home.” 

Like Ivan, MTW missionaries believe Ukrainians are more receptive than they ever have been to God’s Word. Jon expressed his hope that the momentum would continue to build and result in the development of more missionary teams to partner with the local Ukrainian denomination.

Will you give to support MTW’s ongoing work in Ukraine and Eastern Europe?

Your gifts will continue to provide aid and relief to refugees by funding crisis response teams in Krakow, Poland, and Lviv, Ukraine. Your gifts also support churches and missionaries reaching refugees with the gospel and open new opportunities for future missionary teams.

The PCA Foundation will match gifts between August 10 and September 9 up to $63,500. Click here to give online.

Thank you for your commitment to the Church, to Mission to the World, and to advancing the kingdom of God and the gospel of grace to the ends of the earth.