Believers in a remote region of the former Soviet Union are grieving after a devastating fire claimed the lives of an SGA-supported pastor and his wife. Early one morning, a fire broke out at a small church building where Pastor Yury and his wife Marina lived and ministered.

The church is located in a remote settlement hundreds of miles from the nearest major city. Early reports indicate the fire was caused by a short circuit in the building’s electrical wiring. By the time the fire was discovered, heavy smoke had already filled the building. The couple did not survive.

For the believers there, the loss has been deeply painful. Yet even in sorrow, the church family is continuing to trust the Lord and stand together in faith.

Igor, another SGA-supported pastor and church leader serving in the region, shared this update: “The church is small, but united and active in ministry.” He also wrote: “For the brothers and sisters, the fire and the death of Yury and Marina became a true shock and trial.”

The congregation had faithfully served their community for years—encouraging believers, praying with hurting families, and sharing the hope of the Gospel in a spiritually challenging and isolated area.

Now, these believers are asking fellow Christians around the world like you to pray. “The believers are praying and entrusting this entire situation to the Lord,” igor said.

Please pray that God would comfort this grieving church and strengthen them as they continue serving their community. Pray also for the family members of Yury and Marina as they mourn this heartbreaking loss.

The church now faces the additional challenge of finding a new place to gather for worship and ministry after losing their building in the fire.

Across the former Soviet nations of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as in Poland and Israel, SGA-supported missionary pastors faithfully minister in difficult places where Gospel outreach can be challenging and resources are often limited. Yet God continues to work through local churches to bring the hope of Christ to hurting people.

Even in the midst of tragedy, believers in this remote community are holding firmly to that hope.