We hold on

Life for our pastors and the communities they serve is not easy. Having survived the rigours of winter, the joy to be found in the coming of spring has been tempered by fresh challenges. Someone else’s war, on another continent, has pushed up prices and unleashed a new wave of financial hardship across Ukraine. “Everything is very expensive,” Pastor Sasha tells us. “The prices of food and everything else have skyrocketed. I see the economic depression growing,” says Pastor Oleg.

And yet.

Not one of pastors talks to us about the difficulties they are facing without also reiterating their trust in God and in his goodness. There is always an expression of God’s blessing alongside the obstacles – these leaders have become experts in living in the fragile space between the harsh reality of the present and the hopeful possibilities of the future.

“There are many challenges,” says Sasha, “because in Ukraine there is such tension. But God is at work; we are very grateful.”

Several of the churches have building projects in progress, started many months ago. It’s impossible to stay within original budgets, because the price of materials and the workers’ wages have all increased significantly. Added to that, “there are very few workers, they're all being taken away for the war,” Sasha observes. He feels trapped; the costs are exorbitant, but the job must get done.

Yet he does not let the difficulties have the last word. “There is grace, there is repentance,” he says. “We believe there will be a baptism in June. There are ministers, there are young people. There are a lot of trials, but we hold on, we pray. We believe that God is in control of everything, and we want to continue doing his work.”

“There are a lot of trials, but we hold on, we pray. We believe that God is in control of everything, and we want to continue doing his work.” Pastor Sasha, House of Peace Church, Denghi

All the pastors are acutely aware of the psychological effects of the war on those they serve. Pastor Oleg sees a weary acceptance, saying “people have reached a new level: they've gotten used to it and are no longer expecting victory, but are trying to survive in this reality.” Pastor Sergiy sees that the community at Blagodatne is “very, very exhausted by this war, and constantly stressed. The main prayer need is for people's psychological groaning.”

And yet.

Although the pastors and their leadership teams are themselves also mentally and emotionally weighed down, they have not stopped seeking to grow their communities, to share the faith and hope that they have with anyone and everyone.

“We're searching and praying, day after day, asking how can we strengthen the church and reach new hearts for Christ's kingdom?” says Pastor Vitaliy. “We're holding meetings in preparation for baptisms, we hope the church will grow this year. It's all in God's hands. For our part, we're trying to reach out to new people.”

“We're searching and praying, day after day, asking how can we strengthen the church and reach new hearts for Christ's kingdom… we hope the church will grow this year. It's all in God's hands.” Pastor Vitaliy, Borguslavets Baptist Church

In spite of battling serious health issues, Pastor Dima is equally determined. “We’re holding on, serving, trying. We have to respond to the needs of people, to these challenges. We're trying, doing what we can.” He sees this as moment like no other for the church in Ukraine to step up and be salt and light in these troubled times.

“When the world is in the worst possible state,” he observes, “even to the point of war, when there are disasters or other circumstances, the church should be in the best condition to help and respond to the challenges - in these difficult times, this is when the church must actively preach the Gospel.”

Please pray for our pastors as they carry a huge burden and have so many people to serve and care for. Thank-you for standing with them.