The war continues. Ukraine, as we know it, will never be the same. I am grateful to have known this country before 2022; the church services, worship nights, outreaches, and everything we knew about the world of ministry have changed in 5 years of war. As we cling to the Lord amid constant turmoil and uncertainty, my mind drifts back to the prophetic oracles I had heard that declared God's will for this people and land.
We do not know what the future entails, but hope for a move of God burns without restraint within us. Certainly God is One who always has the last word. His purpose will come to pass, even if we do not know how what he promised will come about.
We received our friends, Travelers for Jesus, from the Netherlands in our city to connect them with the needs of war relief efforts in our region. From visiting wounded veterans to newly enlisted soldiers, we shared the love of God with anyone we could reach. At the onset of our day, we came to the hospital to spend time with soldiers recovering from surgery and amputations. Our moments together were filled with the presence of Jesus as he ministered to these men; we simply sat with them and prayed with them as they found someone to confide in about their experiences.
Among the Ukrainian soldiers are men from different nations who make up the foreign legions that are part of the Ukrainian military defense effort in the trenches on the eastern front. Many personnel are from Latin America and South America. This has created new ministry needs, as many of them do not have chaplains to serve them. One of our missionaries served in a Spanish-speaking country for a couple of years and became fluent in the language. With her help, we have been able to come alongside other friends to gather these men and women to share the Gospel with them.
The statistics are devastating. 60% of the men who come through complexes like this one do not make it through the first month of combat. The reality is surreal. As you stand with the microphone in your hand, the realization pounds in your chest: for many, this is their last chance to hear the Gospel.
We partnered with Holy Trinity Church, who, with their mobile pizza truck, are able to travel and bake fresh pizzas. We went with them to one complex where new conscripts were waiting for mobilization, so we could serve them this way. As the oven grills fired up, the aroma gathered a crowd of curious onlookers, and our team began to worship through our new battery-powered PA system.
We can only do our part. We can only proclaim what God has revealed to us. And this, even just this, is enough for God's mercy to capture a person's heart. As our friend from the Netherlands shared a very simple Gospel presentation, a young Latino man standing beside me held his hand to his face, his fingers covering his eyes to keep tears from rolling down. He later came up to me and began to speak something in Spanish. Realizing that I could not understand him, he pulled out his phone and began to type away.
I glanced at his translator app and saw a message detailing his story. He wrote that what he heard today confirmed what he had asked God in prayer a few days ago. He now realized that he needed to believe and trust in Jesus. God was taking hold of his heart.
That same evening, when the call to turn to Jesus came, almost every hand rose. An overwhelming response filled this courtyard that evening. The seed sown into their souls would go with them as they departed to the hottest areas of battle in the coming days. Many military men have come back in the last few years saying that on the front lines, there are no atheists. These words stay in our minds as we preach the Gospel. We pray that God would reveal himself— may the darkest places shine with salvific light.
Surely, the fields are white for harvest. I mean this with utmost longing and urgency: Lord, send laborers into these harvest fields!
2026 END OF THE YEAR CAMPAIGN
The war in Ukraine has changed so much. For us, the call to mobilize missionaries and take much greater involvement in discipleship has gripped us. We have learned from Scripture that God's prescription for his Great Commission is the local church. For that reason, we are starting a church plan. To do this, we need your help! Would you help us plant a church in Ukraine?
