Ukraine (MNN) — In March of 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, sparking a surge of fighting between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists. The bold move was featured all over the headlines, sparking outrage from the West. The United States and the United Nations imposed sanctions on Russia. Since then, the news has largely died down. However, the fighting and strife intertwined with the conflict has not.
Joel Griffith of Slavic Gospel Association says the support they receive for their work in Ukraine seems to follow the number of people paying attention on the globe.
(Photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)
“In the past year or two, this is in the news less and less. You don’t hear about the Ukraine conflict even though fighting and bloodshed still continues to this day. And the needs have not lessened any.”
When the conflict first broke out, SGA started their Crisis Evangelism Fund. Griffith explains, “The purpose of that was to help evangelical churches in Ukraine to reach out to the many of thousands of refugees that fled from the east to flee the fighting.”
The Crisis Evangelism Fund allows churches in the area to assist people with food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. And, “As part of these distributions that take place through the churches we serve, of course, evangelism and evangelistic literature [and] Bibles are always a component of this.”
The project is evangelistic because not only do Christian families receive care packages with a Bible, but they also can give a second package to a neighbor who they know is in need. It truly is having an eternal impact.
But, Griffith says, lately the contributions to this fund have been running dry.
“So we’re concerned that our funds for the Crisis Evangelism Fund are running low, and I would like to sort of raise awareness that this need is still out there.”
There are a couple of ways you can help with this project. First of all you can pray. Take a moment right now to ask God to intervene in the situation.
(Photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)
Griffith says, “SGA founder, Peter Deyneka’s motto was, ‘Much prayer, much power.’ And that is certainly the case as the churches we serve in Ukraine continue to reach out to refugees that have been created because of the fighting that goes on to this day, as well as trying to take the Gospel into those regions.”
Pray for peace, and pray for safety for the churches and workers in the conflict zone. Ask God to keep the doors open for spreading the Good News.
“The Lord has opened many doors for witnessing and help to take place as a result of this, and…the Church modeled the love of Christ before these needy families and supplied the aid that they needed and nobody else had.”
You can also give. To donate to the Crisis Evangelism Fund, click here. Select “Crisis Evangelism Fund” in the drop down menu.
