Ukrainian Christians

[Richard Myers]

We do not generally post matters involving other denominations. God is using many in many different churches, but He has entrusted the sacred oracles to us. We are to point others to Jesus and His Word, not to other leaders in other churches. But, there are times when our people need to see how God is working outside of our churches. The following is one such case where I believe the witness of this Ukrainian pastor and his wife will be a blessing to all who see their discussion with an American pastor and his church.

What we have not been told is some of the history between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine wants freedom, freedom not found in Russia any more, if ever. The testimony you will hear tells us that freedom  is a Christian principle, more pointedly a Protestant principle for which many have been persecuted throughout history. There are changes taking place in Putin's Russia. Freedom is not something that is highly valued in Russia today. The testimony shared by this Pastor and his wife reveals some of their beliefs about Belarus and Ukraine.

Ukrainian Pastor Gena and Larisa Kernazhytski offer insight on the war in Ukraine, communism, the importance of defending freedom, and what Christian Ukrainians are doing to help their nation. The couple lives in Belarus, grew up under communist rule, and are directly involved with ministry in 20 churches in Ukraine.

[Richard Myers]

Let us relate a picture of a Seventh-day Adventist young lady in the sixth grade last year, to a town in Ukraine this year. Her name is Sofia, here is her picture:





Here are a few words from an article at adventistmission.org.

Kneeling beside her bed before going to sleep that evening, Sofia thanked God for helping her to be a witness without even knowing it.

“Help me to continue to be a witness to Tanya so she can know more about you,” she prayed.

Sofia prays that she can be a witness for God every day.

“For me that was a wonderful experience with Tanya,” she said. “I was amazed that I was allowed to play such a big role in her life. I am a witness to my classmates whether I know it or not.” ⎭

Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help Sofia’s school construct its own building in Bucha, Ukraine. Currently the school borrows classrooms from an Adventist college, and your offering will help the children meet in their own classrooms. Thank you for planning a big offering.

Let's hope that the offering was exceptionally large since Ukraine is being decimated by Putin's Russia. And, yes, Sofia lives in Bucha Ukraine. The article was published January of 2021. You may be wondering if the Russian War came to Bucha. Yes, it did. Maybe it was not visited by Putin's army with too much destruction? Have we been praying for the people of Ukraine, especially our brothers and sisters that are Seventh-day Adventists?  Yes, we have. Pray for Ukraine Church Members

Here is an article published April 19, 2022 where Bucha was mentioned. It is not a pretty picture:


Russia wants the takeover of Mariupol by May 9 — Victory Day in Russia — to sell as a big win for Putin’s campaign. Russia will continue to use artillery and long-range bombings while pushing out civilians to achieve that goal. “We do expect the complete destruction of the city and many civilian casualties,” the official said. “My fear is that it is going to be worse than Bucha,” the Kyiv suburb where Russian troops allegedly committed war crimes by killing civilians on their way out and throwing dead bodies in mass graves.  source

We pray that the school where Sofia attended was spared and also that she and her church remain faithful witnesses of the power of grace to transform sinners into saints. Her faithfulness in being a savor of life unto life is an example that we all ought to remember. We are either a savor of life unto life, or a savor of death unto death. "The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within. It is the atmosphere of this love surrounding the soul of the believer that makes him a savor of life unto life and enables God to bless his work."  Acts of the Apostles, pg 551.

Sofia chose to serve God. In so doing the Holy Spirit empowered her to do what she knew to be right. It was her effort with the power of God that enabled her to reflect the character of our Lord. So it may be with all who love the Lord our God with all of the heart.

[Richard Myers]

Easter in Ukraine

[Richard Myers]

Ukrainian Choir: "Precious Lord Take My Hand" (Kyiv Symphony)