Gospel to Eastern Ukraine - War in Ukraine

Dear Friends,

Around the globe our brothers and sisters are earnestly praying and are unnerved for Ukraine. We highly treasure your support, your mourning with us, and your desire to help. We thank you for that. What is happening in our country is truly horrific. We do, however, trust that God is very gracious to our people and is helping our army defend our country and protect His children.

As of right now, a lot of people have evacuated or are in the process of evacuating from eastern Ukraine to the western part of the country. On Thursday, February 24, at 5 a.m. our brothers and sisters in Christ from The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Kharkiv woke to the sounds of rockets raining down on the city. The war had begun. Some that morning or within the first 24 hours were able to leave the city, some had to remain. More than 70 of our brothers and sisters left the city, some of which were families with small children. They need financial support so that the refugees can settle temporarily in western Ukraine and have food, clothing etc. We are collecting resources for all the refugees in need, from our church, and from any other church. The head pastor of the Kharkiv church, Sergei Sudakov, is organizing this aid. You can send your support with a memo, “for the support of the refugees”. These resources will immediately be sent to this effort to support these refugees.

Here is a translated letter from another pastor from the church in Kharkiv, Volodymir Starodub:

“Dear brothers and sisters around the globe,

Our hearts are overflowing with pain and sorrow. No one could have imagined the situation in Ukraine just a few weeks ago. Just 80 years ago, Ukraine experienced the attack of Hitler’s army. Now, they are being hit with an attack from Putin- the Hitler of the 21st century. Bombs have hit the streets of Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipro, and even in many cities in Western Ukraine. Essentially all of Ukraine.

Our brothers and sisters in their suffering are not in despair; they, themselves being persecuted, are helping others who are being persecuted. It is in this very act that the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is being revealed.

Join us in the mercy and love of Christ and His Church.

May the Lord bless you,

Pastor Volodymir Starodub”