On Sunday, our family met with Sasha, pastor and father of five, over pizza in a city 3 hours west of Kyiv. “We baptized 27 people this week. 80% of our members were brought to our city because of the war. We are ready to launch another church plant soon. We have visited our church members who are fighting on the front lines regularly.” He has also helped with relief efforts in the south after the dam was destroyed and told horrific tales of destruction and God’s grace.
Tuesday, brought Pastor Zhenya to my house, with his wife who is 8 months pregnant. Their church in Kyiv has tripled in size over the last year. They lead in worship, host small groups and are constructing their house before the baby boy is scheduled to arrive in August.
On Thursday, another pastor named Zhenya shared pizza with my family and excitedly shared of the baptism service on Saturday with and 84 year old woman and 87 year old man among those who will take this important public step. We talked about possibly starting a daughter church in the year ahead. He is the sole pastor as another is a chaplain in the army and just promoted to first lieutenant.
Tomorrow, our family travels 12 hours west to serve at a youth camp for 75 unsaved teen children of Ukrainian soldiers. Pastor Valentin is retired officer whose Kyiv church will show the love of Christ to these young people.
These are four examples of the 40 different local Ukrainian churches that have benefitted from ABWE Ukraine Crisis Fund to further the Gospel and grow the church in the fertile spiritual soil of war. A day doesn’t go by where I am not seeing the fruit of ministry here in Ukraine. In spite of the dangers and uncertainty, nothing can stop the Holy Spirit from convicting of sin and bringing to repentance those He wills. Praise the Lord. Don’t stop praying, your prayers are being answered!
Mike Gustafson
ABWE Ukraine Team Leader
