Most of us usually count on our pastors to help us in our times of need or great sorrow. We count on their words of encouragement and also their loving presence to help us get through whatever trial we may be facing. But what about the pastor? What happens when he is the one in need? How is he comforted when he has lost the love of his life?

The church is what happens! This is when not only the local church, but also the bigger church comes together to lift up one of its own. That is what happened to Yura, an SGA-supported pastor in Israel, after losing his dear wife Luda after a long battle with cancer. Together in life they honored God through their ministry. And now, after Luda’s homegoing, Yura will continue to honor God in the way he trusts God with his grief and loneliness.

God has already used the family of God to spur Yura to more faithfulness in the days ahead. Although Yura may feel lonely at times, he knows that he has many people all over this world praying for him. This is where he finds his comfort and is also where he learns to understand the pain even more, so that he can continue to be called on in the times of need for his congregation. Please pray for Yura as he moves forward in faithfulness. 

From Yura in Israel: 

The Invisible GOD

Over these past two months, I have had to endure a great loss in my life. After a long time of suffering, my beloved wife Lyudmila went home to be with the Lord—my faithful co-laborer and friend in the Kingdom of God.

In the midst of pain and loneliness, I felt tremendous support through the church—in Israel and throughout the world. It was as if God Himself was near, embracing me through friends, acquaintances, and even through those I do not personally know. Everyone sought to offer words of comfort, to support me, to share in the pain. And in that, it was truly Him—the God whom we do not see, yet who is always near.

The heart may feel loneliness, but in Christ it is never truly alone.

The church is one of the most amazing manifestations of God’s love on earth and in the universe.

Thank you, dear friends, for being the hands of the invisible God and for the comforting words that speak directly to the heart.

. . . And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).