It is encouraging to see believers in Ukraine giving generously to people in need. As our spiritual brothers and sisters have received so richly from God’s grace, they are blessing the lives of other believers, as well as those who don’t know the Lord, during Ukraine’s ongoing war. Giving expresses God’s love, and as you can see in SGA-supported Pastor Churilov’s report below, those who are hurting are experiencing God’s love . . . 

Dear brothers and sisters, 

The warmest greetings to you in the name of the Lord! We are grateful to you for the prayers and for the support! Currently, Ukraine is going through a difficult time. . . Some cities have been almost completely bombed. Martial law has been introduced in the country. There is a curfew at night. Every day new categories of people are added to the ranks of those who need both spiritual and material aid. 

At present, a lot of refugees go through [our city] in connection with the bombing and shelling of [other Ukrainian cities]. Therefore, many people need both food aid, and moral and psychological support.  

Unprotected groups of the population (especially those with children) have a special need for mercy. Some families are unbelieving and others have unbelieving family members. By showing them hospitality, we have a very good opportunity to tell them about Christ. Coming to their homes with real food support, we have a great opportunity to witness them about Jesus Christ, not only with our lips but also with real tangible help.  

We pray Jesus to become the Savior of spirit, soul, and body to the people, to whom we render the aid. We thank the Lord for the good opportunity to enter the homes of new people through the ministry of mercy.

It’s good that refugees and migrants will hear the Gospel while living in the Houses of Prayer or in the believers’ [homes]. They can feel the care of them from the Lord and His disciples. They can receive both spiritual and food support (food packages). 

Some of those people will attend church (fellowship of believers). Some will move to other places, while others will stay with us, find a job, and as a result, their financial situation will become better. Some will repent and trust in Christ as their Savior.

For the last three weeks, we have received 30 to 40 people every day. Those people stay overnight in the families of church members. Those people can stay in the House of Prayer in [a Ukrainian city]. Eight to 10 people from [several Ukrainian] regions have stayed for the night every night. Most of them are families with little children. We cook dinner and breakfast for them and provide some food for the trip. Three families stayed in [a Ukrainian city] for a longer time.

Every day, I and my wife go to grocery supermarkets and buy groceries. Sometimes we have to look for food products in different stores. After that, we pack them in packages. We distribute the food among the people who stay in the House of Prayer. 

One believing family from [a Ukrainian city] was invited to stay in our home. They had to leave their native city because of the shelling. Volunteer Anatoliy helped the family to get out of that area and brought them to our city. The children are very frightened, and they are afraid of all strong loud sounds. Praise God, after being quiet for a while, they started playing games. When they came, they were too hungry that when we offered them something to eat, the middle girl grabbed a bun and stuffed it into her mouth in two steps. I haven’t seen such a thing yet. After spending the night in a calm atmosphere, they had breakfast in the morning and left for the West of Ukraine. We gave them some food for the trip. They called us every four hours till they safely reached [their destination].

There are two people in [another family we are helping]. The mother Dina has been bedridden for eight years so far. After a stroke, she can’t speak, but few words. The daughter had some part-time job, but due to the introduction of martial law, she has not been offered any job. They have a very great need for food. We visited these women and brought them a food package. Dina tried to thank us with her lips. I read from the Psalms and prayed for their safety. 

I praise the Lord for all of you and for our joint ministry. Pray for the families among whom we conduct the Compassion Ministry at the wartime. 

Please, pray for peace in Ukraine, for the people and servicemen not to be killed. “But as you abound in everything — in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us — see that you abound in this grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:7). 

With love and prayers, 

Alexander, the family, and the Church 

In a time of great fear and 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 food, medicine, warm clothing, shoes, and Scripture materials.