Crimea (MNN) — Today marks the seventh anniversary of the official Russian annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. The U.S. and the United Nations do not recognize the annexation. Read a recent statement from the White House here. Russia claims no annexation took place, and that Crimea was always part of Russia.
Eric Mock of the Slavic Gospel Association says, “In the middle of this are the people in Crimea. But Crimea remains a little bit of a mixed bag, with both Russian and Ukrainian citizens. So there are some natural tensions and some frustrations that are going on. But with the decrease in tourism ( tourism was one of the larger revenue streams for the region) plus the sanctions from Western governments, it’s made small businesses and life there in Crimea quite a bit more difficult than it was before.”
“And yet, in the middle of this, the churches there are flourishing.”
A view of the Crimean Peninsula. Crimea traditionally relies heavily on the tourism industry. (Image by voffka offka from Pixabay)
SGA continues to remotely support Crimean churches. Mock says these Christians are shining a light in a difficult situation. “One of the things about the Gospel in these very difficult times is the Gospel is about hope. It’s about giving people a compass to navigate what otherwise would be very confusing times. The churches have recognized that their mandate from God is different than any other mandate from man.”
Pray God will strengthen Crimean Christians for this purpose. You can support SGA as they work remotely with churches in Crimea and all around the former Soviet Union.
Header Image by chief39 from Pixabay.
