FAITH IN THE MIDST OF WAR

It is difficult to believe that we now find ourselves in the fifth year of war in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Yet many know that this conflict actually began twelve years ago, in 2014, when Russia first invaded Ukrainian territory. The war has never truly waned. In fact, in many ways it is even more intense today than it was in the early days of the invasion.

Russia has deliberately targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—electricity, gas, and water systems—in an effort to leave millions of Ukrainians without heat or basic services, particularly during the harsh winter months. Residential areas and civilian infrastructure are also frequently attacked: schools, day cares, hospitals, apartment buildings, theaters, shopping centers, train stations, buses, and homes. Hundreds of missiles and drones are launched toward Ukrainian cities each day.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to fight on the front lines against Russian forces, a conflict that has already taken tens of thousands of lives. In recent months, terrorist-style attacks have also struck city centers such as Lviv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv, targeting police officers and other first responders.

We are now in the fifth year of Russia’s unjust war against Ukraine.

So how do we respond? What can we do?

First and foremost, we pray.

Last month, my wife Angela and I, along with SON Board member Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, traveled to Ukraine. At the invitation of DELKU Bishop Pavlo Shvarts and Synod President Pastor Aleksandr Gross, we hosted a leadership conference for women in ministry just outside the city of Lviv.

The two-and-a-half-day conference took place at a retreat center in Bryukhovychi, north of Lviv. It included ten teaching sessions, addressing topics such as personal faith in times of suffering, ministry in difficult circumstances, evangelism, and serving communities throughout Ukraine. Twenty-four women from five different regions participated. One reason this conference was so significant is that gatherings specifically for women in ministry had not previously been a major priority. The war has changed that reality. With most able-bodied men conscripted into military service, many women have stepped into leadership roles—managing church ministries, organizing humanitarian aid, and leading outreach in their communities.

Another meaningful aspect of the conference was that, for many participants, this was the first time they had been taught by another woman in ministry. Angela led most of the sessions and was able to connect with the women in a deeply personal way. While both Brad and I contributed, Angela’s leadership created a space where the women felt safe to share openly about the challenges they are facing. It was deeply moving to see their response. Many spoke honestly about grief, fear, exhaustion, and loss. For several participants, it was the first time they had been guided through a process of grieving in a safe and supportive environment. Together, we explored how our identity in Christ can sustain us—even in the darkest circumstances.

By God’s grace, much has already been done—and continues to be done—through the global family of Christ.

 Through the SON Ukraine Relief Fund, more than $1 million has been raised, with over $850,000 already distributed for food, medicines, heaters, generators, transportation, and ongoing pastoral care.

Internally displaced refugee settlements have been established in Petrodolina and Novogradivka, as well as in additional communities in Slovakia, Estonia, and other European host countries. These efforts have been supported in part through the SON Ukraine Relief Fund.

The need, however, remains great. Humanitarian assistance continues to be essential, and significant resources will also be required when the time comes to rebuild Ukraine.

For now, we remain focused on meeting urgent needs—through the hands, feet, and compassionate voices of our ministry partners in Ukraine, supported by churches and believers throughout Central and Western Europe and here in the United States.