What an encouragement God’s people are to displaced Ukrainians like Alina, Iryna, and Tetiana! As you read through their testimonies below, note how each is grateful for the outpouring of emergency aid and spiritual care they have received from SGA-supported Pastor Olexander’s church.

Working together with other congregations in his region, Olexander shares that 17 people came to the Lord and eight were baptized. Praise God for how He is bringing hope for today and eternity, and for the way He is using the generous gifts and prayers of friends like you to bless hurting people in war-torn Ukraine. Read more . . .

Dear friends! Peace be with you!

The Church of the Good News of Christ, together with other churches in our region, has been actively serving people in our village since the first days of the war. We preach the Gospel by holding Saturday meetings for IDPs [internally displaced persons] and the local residents. At these meetings, we have the opportunity to get to know each other better, to hear people’s concerns and worries, to reflect on the truths of God’s Word together, and to pray to God together as well. 

With your help, our friends from SGA, we had another opportunity to help those in need with food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. We are sincerely grateful for your support in this difficult time for all of us.

During the period of war (2022-2023), as a result of our joint ministry, 17 people came to the Lord, eight of whom were baptized. 

Sincerely,

Olexander
Pastor

Some testimonies from the people:

My name is Alina. I was born and lived all my life in the Donetsk region, namely in the village of Ivanivske, which belongs to the Bakhmut community and is located two miles from the city of Bakhmut. When the war with Russia began, the city of Bakhmut was under shelling. Seeing that the situation was getting worse and the front line was close to the city, my family and I decided to first send my daughter-in-law and my six-month-old grandson Misha to Germany. Then my mother (she is 82 years old), my two sons Oleksandr and Vladyslav and I went to [a different Ukrainian] region. It took us almost 12 hours to get there. When we crossed the border of the Donetsk region and there were no more explosions, we felt a little more relaxed.

I was introduced to some believers who helped us find a place to live and later brought me to the Good News of Christ Church. I remember the first Sunday service in the church. Everyone was singing and praising Jesus, and I could not help but just cry. My heart was heavy, but I saw so many kind and compassionate people praying. In the service, I heard the following words: “Put your burdens and hopes in God, He is the only One in Whom we have salvation.” It seemed to me that these words were only for me, but there were many people like me around.

From the church, I have received and continue to receive spiritual and practical support. I really like the Saturday women’s meetings, where we not only study the Bible, but also discuss life’s concerns. 

Thank you very much for the food packages that the church has been providing us with all this time. And now I am very grateful to you, SGA, for such a healthy and varied food package. I thank God for your care for people like us. It is very valuable to us. Now I can’t even imagine how I would have survived all these difficult times if it weren’t the brothers and sisters from the church. Thank you all for your support and God’s blessings to all!

Sincerely, Alina

Iryna, 35 years old. I am a mother of two children: Polina, 11, and Matthew, 6. I have been seriously ill for more than three years. I live with my mother, she is 62 years old and is disabled. We live in our own house, but we have very poor financial support. Believers visited me in the hospital. They helped me with medicines and food. They told me about Christ. About God’s mercy and His love. I started attending church with my children on Sundays. I started praying to God to help me overcome life’s difficulties. And God truly helps. He gives me comfort and peace in my heart. Fears are left behind, and hope appears in God’s mercy and His care for us. 

I am grateful to the Christians from the Good News of Christ Church for their care for our family. They help us with both kind words and deeds. They give us a ride to the meetings and help us understand the Word of God. 

We sincerely thank dear people from SGA for their support with food. It is so significant and timely for our family. I am so happy to know such people in the church, who care for my spiritual growth in Christ. 

My name is Tetiana, I am 71 years old and a retired woman . . . I am raising my little grandson. My daughter-in-law died. My son is seriously ill. Since the first days of the war, the Good News of Christ Church has been taking care of our family. It is good to know that you are not alone with the difficulties of life. At a church meeting in March 2022, I heard about Jesus Christ for the first time. This year I repented before God and the church. I know that this was only God, Who granted me faith and hope in Him. Praise Him! I am happy to attend a small home group.

I thank God and the church, brothers and sisters for their attention, spiritual care and help with food, clothing and hygiene supplies. We really appreciate what our sponsors from abroad are doing for us in this very difficult time. I am sincerely grateful for your ministry to people. May God bless you all!

In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary, and SGA-supported Compassion Ministry. Be a part of God’s incredible work with your generosity and prayer support.  

Your gift of compassion helps struggling people with emergency aid that generally includes Scripture materials, food, medicine, warm clothing, and shoes.