Ukraine Church is Not Tired 

     We American Christians take our access to Sunday services for granted. American Jews also live in this nation at peace, although there have been some ugly troubles caused by anti-Israel radicals. 

     Then there is Ukraine, a nation under siege, more than 90,000 troops and civilians killed. Millions have been displaced.

      When Russians invaded a Black Sea port city, and destroyed a bridge, a senior pastor found himself in occupied territory. So, he began leading a new church. 

     Church members served their suffering neighbors, until a dam collapsed (suspected sabotage) and flooded residents' homes. Members gave people clothes and opportunity to wash their clothes because many lost their appliances.

     Attendance at the pastor's church has more than doubled to about 300 - more than three times as many attendees as our American church. 

     Interviews with local pastors suggest the good deeds of believers amid the evils of war have softened many Ukrainians to the evangelical message.

     "God is seeking humble people," says a pastor. "This is the point when you have no hope. This is the best point to meet Jesus." 

     In a Kyiv suburb, 70 percent destroyed by Russian troops in 2022, many church members evacuated. Now, the church is nearly back to its pre-war membership of 600, plus about 700 visitors. The pastor attributes growth to members showing the love of Christ. 

     There is counseling, material support and legal advice. 

     Evangelicals have long been ostracized as a cult. Pastors are hopeful that public perceptions of evangelicals are changing, thanks to churches' response to the war. 

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