Winter temperatures have plummeted in Ukraine, yet many refugees have been able to turn to churches for help—thanks to friends like you! Your generous support helps equip churches in Ukraine to assist refugees and displaced persons in the name of Jesus. In the account below, Pastor Vladimir reminds us that there is hope for those who are suffering. Despite unimaginable circumstances, God is using His church to meet people’s needs, and to share the hopeful truth found in the Gospel of Christ. Thank you for helping to make this possible!

Peace be with you, dear friends!  

As you begin your day, take a moment to imagine what it has been like waking up for Victoria and Alexandra in the stories below. War has taken their homes and livelihood. What used to be, is no longer a part of their future.  Alexandra’s parents have even gone missing. What heartache and grief. As they use the words “this is how we live” or “survive,” you can almost hear the hopelessness in their hearts. Many are facing these same feelings as they continue to be affected by war destruction and great loss.  However, the hope in these stories in part flows from the thankfulness they have for the people who have helped them: the church! Thank God that He continues to raise up faithful servants to minister to those only “surviving” and to share the Gospel to provide hope for today and for the days to come. These families will continually hear the truth of Christ as their needs are being met.    

These are testimonies of ministry and preaching the Gospel to the war-affected people in Ukraine… 

Victoria’s Story 

Vitoria and her husband lost their apartment due to shelling strikes. While the fighting continued in their city, they would hide in the basement of a church. They have a daughter, named Polina. When the fighting stopped, they hid for some time in the elevator operator’s room in their block of apartments, trying to make their apartment a livable place again. At the moment, their residential building is in disrepair, and it is hard to say what will happen to this house in the future. Whether it will be repaired or proven unsuitable for living and instead demolished – no one can say. Now they still live in their apartment at the risk of their lives. They do not have any gas supply, or water, but they have recently received power. We invited them to the office of the church and provided them with food assistance for the first time. Victoria shares, “During war actions, we stayed in our hometown, hiding in the church building. We spent some days in the elevator operator’s room. When the shelling ended, we returned home. Yesterday, they had restored electricity. There is no water or gas. That is how we live. We are thankful to people who help us. Many thanks!” 

Alexandra’s Story 

Alexandra and her husband survived the shelling of their home city, while still living there. All the windows in their apartment have been shattered due to shelling, and now they live in their friends’ apartment, who left the city and now lets them stay there. Alexandra’s parents went missing during shelling in June. She shares, “Our apartment is destroyed, the windows are broken out. There is no water, no gas, no heat, no electricity. There are no conditions for living. Now we live at our friends’ apartment; at least they have electricity. We survive thanks to your church.” 

We are grateful to all donors for their works of mercy for the victims of the war! God bless you! 

– Pastor Vladimir 

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.