SGA-supported Pastor Piotr has received many offers to leave Ukraine throughout the war in the past year. But this man has refused to flee from Ukraine. Why? “Because I am a pastor,” he says. The physical and spiritual needs of his community were great, and God’s calling to continue shepherding his flock was even greater.

“When war started, half the people left our church. The basement served as bomb shelter and many people stayed with us. Meals were provided to believers and unbelievers alike. But in time, by April, people started returning. And then by summer, services moved upstairs from the basement. So many unbelievers were coming.

“I was excited to see people that had never opened a Bible asking questions, underlining passages. They were shocked that the leaders prayed for them and cared for them. Before the war, it would have been impossible to form such classes. God’s work is clearest in suffering.”