Two Teams Become One
April 29, 2022
Motivated to Care
May 3, 2022
On Thursday, February 24, Russian troops invaded Ukraine and began a war that President had threatened for eight years. Ukrainians had become used to the uncertainty of Russian troops at the border, but according to the BMA’s security consultant, things began to escalate as early as November of 2021.
As of this writing, the war is two months old and the civilian casualty count is around 1,000 with no end in sight.
BMA Missionaries to Ukraine Larry and Tammy Wood helped plant three churches in the four years they were there. They were in the States when war broke out and desperately wanted to return home to Ukraine and help their friends, but it was not possible.
Enter our ChangeMaker missionaries.
In unimaginable circumstances, three new pastors and church planters remain in Ukraine to serve their people by passing out food and supplies, helping those who are fleeing the war, and providing for those who remain:
Sasha and Julia Grebenyuk and their daughter live in Lutsk where he is pastor of Water of Life Church. Early on in the bombing, church members gathered safely in their church building, which is the basement of a government building. He continues to pass out relief supplies and help those in need.
Yuri and Sveta Chlek are also in Lutsk, where he pastors Church to All Nations. Early in the war, he opened his farm outside the city to anyone needing a place to stay. A retired Ukrainian Army captain, he later rejoined the army to fight for his country, leaving behind a wife and four children.
Sergiy and Tanya Morozyuk and their daughter live in Volodymyr-Volynsk, where he pastors Grace Church. When the war began, many of Pastor Sergiy’s congregation joined Pastor Yuri’s church in a farm outside the city where it is significantly safer.
These three ChangeMakers have each sacrificed so much for the cause of Christ and been courageous in the midst of a war. Pastor Sasha told the story of a Russian tank that ran out of gas in front of their basement-turned-church-building, which led to an encounter with enemy soldiers. They were not at all hostile as Pastor Sasha and others engaged them in conversation about their predicament while serving them tea. In the end, Sasha and other church members allowed the Russians to use their cell phones to call home and let their families know they were OK, then gave them food as they walked down the road.
Please pray for these brave pastors, churches, and people as they minister to Ukrainians during this invasion.