KYIV, Ukraine (BP) – Evangelical benevolent and Gospel work continues in Ukraine in the regions on the frontlines of the war with Russia, with special outreaches underway this Christmastime, a church leader there told Baptist Press.
In “extremely challenging” circumstances, churches are worshiping in numbers greater than when the war began, helping those in need, and visiting soldiers at their posts, said Igor Bandura, vice president of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (Ukraine Baptist Union), with the union supporting the work.
“Each year at Christmas, the head of our union, Valeriy Antoniuk, embarks on a several-day trip to visit the military at their positions,” Bandura said. “He travels with a small team of other ministers. There, the brothers distribute Christmas gifts, Bibles, pray, read the Gospel together with the soldiers and sing Christmas carols.”
In communities, churches distribute food packages, perform Christmas programs for children and adults, and visit the lonely.
“The work of churches in the frontline regions is very inspiring,” Bandura said. “This has a significant impact among the people, as in such communities the church is often the only one providing support. In the midst of darkness, people seek the Light of the Gospel.”
This is the third Christmas Ukraine will celebrate in its current war with Russia that threatens the Gospel witness in the region. Baptists are weary, but Bandura said they have no choice but to cling to faith and pray.
“Currently the situation in Ukraine varies greatly across different areas of the front. So we have no false hopes, only a steadfast decision to continue our work,” Bandura said. “For some, it is about evacuating people from semi-destroyed settlements. For others, it is about caring for communities scattered across Ukraine and abroad, and for others, it is about supporting the families of soldiers and those who have lost their lives.
“Everyone continues to work in their own areas and prays for a just peace.”
Even in areas of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia, worship will continue at Christmas within the bounds of war, varying widely.
“In one city, services are held openly, and even online broadcasts are made, while in another city, Christians are prohibited from gathering in their church buildings, so they are forced to split into smaller groups and meet in homes,” Bandura said. “Of course, public gatherings are out of the question here. I cannot mention specific cities or even regions, as this could be very dangerous for our people.”
Personally, Bandura is looking beyond his own frailty and finding extraordinary strength in God.
“Physically and emotionally, the war drains my strength. Every new day of life is an internal struggle to prevent darkness from prevailing in my thoughts and heart,” he said. “What helps is that during long and exhausting trials, the Lord provides even more grace and His strength. This is what sustains me.”
Nearly all churches in Ukraine will observe Christmas on Dec. 25 this year, with the Orthodox date of Jan. 7 being observed by the few, scattered Russian Orthodox churches. Under a law in effect since Aug. 20, Orthodox churches aligned with and influenced by the Moscow Patriarchate have been prohibited in Ukraine, a measure aimed at preventing conspiratorial activities.
Bandura asked Southern Baptists to pray for Ukraine. His requests are included here in his own words:
1. The energy of Ukraine is in a dire state. We do not know what the remainder of this winter will bring. Pray for divine guidance, wisdom for the authorities, support from partners, and understanding within the Church on how to act in these circumstances.
2. The regions of Ukraine are suffering from daily shelling. The Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions are under constant threat of renewed attacks and occupation. In the Donetsk region, fierce battles continue. Luhansk is almost completely under the control of the Russian Federation. Despite the extremely challenging circumstances, churches in these regions continue their ministries, demonstrating creativity and ingenuity, spreading the Good News, and baptizing people. They provide humanitarian and emotional support to the local population.
Pray for a ceasefire in these areas, strength and vision for the local church leaders, and repentance among the people.
3. Daily reports of military deaths at the front are a reality for every Ukrainian city and village. In our streets, we meet individuals with amputations, injuries, and signs of PTSD every day. Churches are serving the families of the fallen, and some are already planning and implementing the creation of veterans’ centers, organizing celebrations and outings for the families and children of military personnel.
Pray for the adaptation of soldiers to civilian life, the community’s readiness to accept and support them, the salvation of their souls, and comfort for the families of the fallen warriors.
4. A special request is to pray for conscripted Christians, especially leaders. Currently, Ukraine does not have an established mechanism for alternative service for those who refuse to bear arms due to their convictions. This is a significant challenge for our churches.
5. The war has extended our ministry to Ukrainians beyond our borders. Currently, there are more than 150 Ukrainian churches and groups in 17 European countries. This number reflects only those we have established contact and cooperation with. Seeing the need to serve internally displaced persons, we created the Missionary Association of Ukrainian Baptist Churches in Europe (MAUCB).
Pray for Ukrainian Baptists serving fellow citizens abroad, divine guidance in this ministry, the repentance of the people, and the establishment of the association’s work.
Related posts:
The Ball Brothers sing and serve in Ukraine 
Ukrainian Orthodox join Baptists in Dec. 25 Christmas, dropping Jan. 7 holiday 
UN: 6.5 million people displaced inside Ukraine due to war 
Ukraine Christians living ‘tragedy to tragedy’ as war enters year two 
Ukrainian Baptist seminary students ministering in and near war zones 
‘Miracle from God’ as cash-strapped Romanian Baptists aid Ukrainians 
FIRST-PERSON: Evil is never completely unrestrained 
Wanted: missionary ‘entrepreneurs’ for strategy coordinator jobs
