Impact Spotlight: Pastor Sasha in Ukraine

Pastors and ministry leaders around the world experience a myriad of trials: war, displacement, violence, poverty, hostile governments, persecution, and more. Deep roots in Christ anchor them through the crucibles of affliction, equipping them to be beacons of hope in their communities.

Pastor Sasha is one example of this. He graduated from Global Action’s programme in 2010, and pastors a church in Northern Ukraine. His town was occupied by the Russian army, and he and his family personally witnessed many atrocities committed against their neighbours. When their town was liberated, Sasha immediately reached out to Global Action—not to request material assistance, but to ask that we bring our Foundations programme to his town to equip more church leaders with deep roots.

Throughout the occupation, he remained strong in the Lord and stayed focused on serving his church and community. Sasha is now equipping more leaders so that they can be beacons of hope and stability.

Looking Beyond the Crisis

I just returned from a trip to Ukraine with one of our board members. What an experience! Wow! We had the privilege of meeting face-to-face with many courageous church leaders in a place that is right in the middle of a war. I continue to be amazed by the strength and dedication of the people of God.

Even as these pastors shepherd their congregations through the hardships of war and economic turmoil, they are filled with vision. They are looking beyond the crisis of the present moment, toward what the church will need after the war.

"How do we help the church thrive in this new context?" This is what is top-of-mind for Ukrainian church leaders, even as war continues to ravage their country.

And what the church will need is more leaders.

Right now, our main focus in Ukraine continues to be providing emergency aid to people in need through our pastoral network there. However, we are also listening to the Ukrainian church as they plan for the future. At their request, we are already making preparations to continue equipping leaders in Ukraine and Eastern Europe—even THIS year.

Thank you for partnering with us to serve the church in Ukraine. Without our supporters, none of these leaders would have been equipped with a solid biblical foundation for facing this crisis. And without our supporters, we would not have been able to partner with these leaders to serve the hurting people in their communities. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are very grateful to those of you who have given so generously. On behalf of the church, I want to say a big thank you. To those who have been planning to do something for Ukraine, it’s not too late. The war in Ukraine is still a reality for our brothers and sisters in Christ—and we are working hard to help them. Please join us.

Ukraine Response

Thank you for your ongoing support of Global Action. As one of our partners, we wanted to give you an update.

Thus far, our team in Ukraine is safe. And even in the midst of the turmoil, they are hard at work. The church is hurting, and we are responding by providing emergency relief for Christians in Ukraine. Our Director of Eastern Europe will be coordinating these efforts with Global Action pastors throughout the country. Thank you for praying for wisdom and protection for these courageous leaders.

We have witnessed the Ukrainian church standing strong through many hardships since we first began working there in 2005, and we continue to be amazed by their bold faith and resilience today.

Please continue lifting the church and all the people of Ukraine before the throne of grace. Our God is faithful, and we place our hope in him. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

For the Gospel,

Rick Thompson
President

Ukraine: Hope in Hardship

The situation in Ukraine is tense and unsettling. But even in the brokenness of the world, our God is still sovereign. This truth gives us hope and a reason to rejoice in the midst of turmoil. In fact, we know from history that God often uses hardship to strengthen his church and to draw people into a saving relationship with himself.

The Ukrainian church is no stranger to hardship, and our team there is boldly moving forward with plans to equip pastors and leaders in Ukraine, Belarus, and Hungary. Now more than ever, church leaders in the region need a solid foundation in the Scriptures so that they can lead their churches through whatever trials lie ahead. We are determined to help these brave leaders shine brightly in their communities.

Join us in praying for wisdom and protection for our Director of Eastern Europe, Igor Grishajev, as he leads our team through this season. Pray especially for our new class in Belarus, which is scheduled to begin next week in a very tense area.

Please pray also for each of the Ukrainian pastors and ministry leaders who have studied with us. Pray that they would stand firm in the gospel and to be filled with the peace of Christ. May they lead well and spread the Good News in our hurting world. 

For the Gospel,

Lionel Young
Executive Vice President