“We are surprised how God used our difficult war situation . . . to preach the Gospel,” says SGA-supported Pastor Mykola in Ukraine. “I never saw so much openness as in the last 10 months.”  

Mykola recently visited with SGA’s Eric Mock and shared more of how the Lord has used his SGA-supported church to plant four other churches in communities surrounding his city throughout the war in Ukraine. Mykola is also a regional pastor who says that “it is important to stay where there is need and not where there is comfort.” 

Here are the highlights of God’s provision, as shared by Mykola, through his SGA-supported congregation since the beginning of the conflict: 

• Even before the war in Ukraine started in February 2022, the church held prayer meetings and prepared for ministry. They put mattresses and food in the church basement. 
• After the first bombs fell, 100 people came to the church for emergency help. The number increased to 200 and then 400 were staying at the church. Round the clock, church members provided food, shelter, and transportation for those who wanted to evacuate.  
• Soon all of the people from the church except for five had evacuated. Even when the invasion forces came, these five church members kept serving and held worship services. Many nonbelievers attended — from 10 to 100 daily. 
• The church resumed its regular worship services in late March with 10 to 12 members and 90 nonbelievers. When the city was liberated, the team kept serving. 
• In April, the church started receiving emergency aid through SGA-supported partners in Poland. Ukrainians came to the church in desperate need of food, tea, and many needed to charge their phones. Others were looking for emotional and spiritual support for their invisible wounds and needed to talk. “I have no reason to live any more,” one woman said after a bomb destroyed her home. 
• The first relief center was established in May and offered food, tea and the opportunity to charge phones — as well as a Bible study group for nonbelievers to provide an open place to ask questions about God and engage more deeply with Him. Soon, a youth ministry was started and a Sunday worship service with 40 people (mostly nonbelievers). A church has now been planted with 100 people in attendance, Sunday school, AWANA, and a first baptism already celebrated! 
• Three more relief centers were established and are now churches that are growing and thriving today. “I see the situation as God’s way to help many Ukrainians rethink faith,” Mykola adds, “and [nonbelievers] seek Christ.” 

Watch a special message of gratitude from Pastor Mykola to you and a special request to help with his community’s urgent needs this winter:

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.