230329 Sga Ukraine War Stories 3 17 Social Post 2 Wordpress Preview V1
Editor’s Note: The report, images, and video below were provided by SGA-supported pastors in Ukraine.

Here is a report from western Ukraine, where two churches are ministering to many internally displaced people. These are congregations that would have no capacity to minister to the needs of people without the aid provided through the generosity of friends like you. 

Over the last year alone, you have helped SGA to provide 12 million meals. This is just a small slice of the impact of this aid! What’s more, in the second account below, we see that ministering to the needs of IDPs (internally displaced persons) is a means to revitalize a church that fell apart after a pastor left when the war began. Praise God!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10, NASB).

History of the Church #1

This church, with a membership of 74, has its ministry in a small town [in Ukraine]. Almost as soon as the full-scale invasion began, the church responded to the needs of IDPs, both Christians and nonbelievers. We hosted them to stay for the night, we fed them, helped them find apartments and provided them with clothing.

Starting in April, with the assistance of the Baptist Union and partners in ministry, we launched a humanitarian initiative called “Church is Near,” which included the provision of food, hygiene products, medicine, and social and psychological support teams. In total, 4,500 IDPs came for a temporary stay in our city with a population of about 20,000 people.

The church had weekly meetings with prayer and evangelism, and provided various kinds of assistance. During this time, more than 4,000 food and hygiene packages were received and purchased. Today, there are regular meetings with IDPs once a week for up to 120 people, a group of Gospel study with IDPs, a women’s group to overcome the trauma of war, and a weekly children’s club.

We sincerely thank you for the help that we can use to serve people in need.

History of the Church #2

A small church that was organized in 2010 and had already about 30 adults and children. With the beginning of the war, the pastor left the ministry and moved to Germany, taking care of his family’s safety. Only four people remained in the community. In February 2023, the church received responsibility for these people and started to renew the ministry of the church. We have already held three meetings with the IDPs, prayed with them, and shared the Gospel. We provided food aid to 114 IDP families.

In March, we are planning to have a service for IDPs, 22 families, in a distant village and in [a different] village, 66 families.

There are also plans to start men’s and women’s, and children’s fellowship groups, and to start meetings of fellow countrymen. The church is also going to start taking care of low-income families from the local community. Please support us in prayer.

Interview

[Translation]

Q: How do you feel when you receive help from people with whom you are not familiar?

A: We are very grateful to such people for their concern that we are not alone. After all, we are here in other people’s homes, we are far from our home, but we feel a great support. Thank you all so much! 

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-sponsored 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.

Read More Stories
Be a Part of God’s
Life-Changing Work