David Hathaway has been ministering in Ukraine since the early 1990s, although his connection with the nation goes back much further. Following the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and invasion of the Donbas region, we have been holding National Days of Prayer, supported by all the church denominations. One of the purposes of the event is to strengthen the unity of the churches and the nation, by uniting under the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Vadim Preobrazhenskiy, our Official Representative in Ukraine writes,
On February 24th 2022 many Ukrainians appeared in the situation when the decision had to be done fast, and none of them could guarantee a solution, safety, or stop the illegal offensive. Waking up from explosions we realized that the fight not only for the freedom and future has started, but it was also the fight for the existence of Ukraine as a nation.
During the first days of the war, when Kyiv was already surrounded by Russian troops and the Kyiv region was occupied, we started evacuating people and providing them basic help and accommodating them in asylums, including simple, but fortified with sandbags basements in our own and church buildings. Evacuating survivors from occupied territories put us and the lives of our team at risk, since most of the bridges were destroyed and moving very slowly people could easily become victims, but we fully trusted the Lord and He used us to save so many.
When the Kyiv region was liberated, we started delivering relief and holding social work in Gostomel, Irpin, Bucha, Borodyanka, and other cities and villages. Later the world was shocked by devastations, mass executions, and destructions, the need was enormous and many of our survivors still were there. We distributed food, hygienic supplies, fresh water, bread, fuel, gas, and financial support as well as Bibles. This social work required sacrificial dedication as we were allowed to enter the region before it was officially opened for visitors, the land was covered with unexploded shells, but we already had some experience and confidence in the Lord. This work in the Kyiv region continued for a long time and still does when we answer certain needs and requests.
East of Ukraine remained the hottest point on the map, having united our efforts and confidence we started holding missions to the frontline cities, in some of which there are no undamaged houses and people survive in basements. Reliable transportation is very important during such missions, as the roads are damaged, and the distances are substantial. With minibuses, a wide range of relief is delivered as well as financial and important spiritual support, which can’t be measured in monetary, but often a simple human hug is very precious after seeing so much evil. We cooperate with chaplains what gives us access to the frontline without guns but opens the opportunity to be in the most critically needy places. Chaplains often pay a high price and have the same fortitude as defenders of Ukraine do.
In addition, on a constant basis, cooperating with churches, seminaries, and organizations we hold social projects in Kyiv and in West Ukraine for refugees, internally displaced people, orphans, and children from suffering families, to bring some love and positive changes into their lives. Right now, we receive many requests for generators, people need food, and there is huge damage to infrastructure and to people’s souls. Praying and acting we trust that many more victims of this illegal invasion will get so much-needed support.
We have a very special privilege to reinforce the unity in the nation by leading, organizing, and holding National Days of Prayer for Ukraine since 2016, this national-level ministry has had a historical impact, as unity is the answer to how we effectively resist so much bigger enemy. Most of the Christian confessions participate in Days of Prayer showing unprecedented unity to millions of believers. Days of Prayer continued during the war, which was special encouragement for the people of Ukraine, strengthening confidence, increasing hope, and spreading spiritual impact across the whole nation.
Ukraine will need strong support before and after the Victory. For us living in times of war means not only resistance to the enemy and fighting for freedom, but it is also fighting for our values which can’t be changed even by the enemy whom we face. Nation of Ukraine, defenders of Ukraine, and survivors of Ukraine have become the living epitome of heroism and of how to stand for your peaceful but unwavering values.
Thank you for the privilege to spread mercy around the nation and thank you for sharing the same values!
Your Ukraine Team
