Editor’s Note: The images and report below were provided by an SGA-supported pastor in Ukraine.
What Satan and this world have meant for destruction during the Ukraine war, God intends for good that many will be saved. Pastor Oleg, a faithful SGA-supported pastor, shares two recent testimonies to that effect. May God be praised!
From Pastor Oleg . . .
Wartime ministry is difficult to characterize or analyze because of all the horrors our people are experiencing. However, despite all the stories of people we have heard from refugees, we can clearly see God’s hand in how He leads people through difficult times, having mercy and showing His grace.
The story of Iryna is one of such stories. Their village is small, located by a forest, a short distance from the Belarussian border. With the beginning of the war, a small group of neighbors (seven people), among whom was Ira, decided to make a small dugout in the woods.
Here is another story of a woman named Oksana. She has been attending our women’s group for a long time, but did not dare to decide to follow God. When the war broke out, Oksana’s daughter, along with her husband and 1-year-old son, found themselves at the epicenter of the occupation in Bucha, Kyiv region. They spent three weeks in the basement, often out of touch, but God miraculously brought them out. At the same time, Oksana’s son served in the armed forces of Ukraine and was standing at the positions near Bucha. When the city was liberated, he was wounded and contused by a powerful explosion. The soldiers, which took him to the hospital, weren’t sure if he would survive. But God made a miracle and Oksana’s son is alive, he recovered and is now back in front. Now he is in the East.
These circumstances with the children were not easy, we prayed and cried a lot together. One day in the group, Oksana asked if she could repent and prayed a prayer of repentance. She testifies that God has shown huge mercy to her family and that she will continue to follow Him. Now Oksana is preparing for baptism. A week ago, she said she knew of the danger her son was in, prayed for his life, but believed that God himself controlled everything and if He wanted to save him, He would save him. She said that no matter how hard it was, she wanted to trust everything in God’s hands.
These people and many others are now part of the life of our church. And we thank God that He continues to work for His glory during the war. The war continues. But we hope in God’s mercy, we believe in the victory and miracle that He will show for our country.
***
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.