In February 2022, within the first few days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, troops occupied the city of Berdyansk where there was a small Mennonite Brethren church called Heart of Christ. “It felt like the end,” Pastor Alexei recalled. “We knew we had to evacuate the vulnerable.”
It was disheartening for the church in Berdyansk as they were still relatively new and they had been enjoying a strong sense of calling, and of mission. Was all of that over?
The people of Berdyansk began their evacuation westward through a city called Vinnytsia. Although many from the Heart of Christ MB continued westward, some felt called to stay. “When we stopped in Vinnytsia, there was just too much to do,” Alexei recalled. “We just had to stay and help.”
Alexei and his family were among those from the Berdyansk church that decided to remain in Vinnytsia. Refugees were crowding into the city, many unable to find or afford accommodations. “People were sleeping on the floors of school buildings in the worst of conditions,” Alexei said, “no food, no hygiene, no way to keep warm or to cook anything. Even worse was the lack of hope.”
Together with seven other members of the Berdyansk church that had evacuated, Alexei opened a help center in Vinnytsia and began to serve those in greatest need. As they offered food and emergency supplies, they also extended invitations for people to meet for fellowship and prayer.
“People began to come, and a church was born,” said Alexei, “and soon we were running out of room to meet!” Alexei and his small group decided to rent a small room in one of the residential areas for their gatherings, scraping together whatever old equipment they could manage to find.
“There were thousands of people who knew almost nothing about Jesus!” said Alexei. “Many were in physical need, yet they were even more hungry for social interaction. Some would just come to talk. They were so open.”
One local woman came to them completely broken and disappointed in God. She had lost her parents, her husband, and her daughter was seriously ill. The woman never smiled. Yet, after many conversations, the woman began to attend their church. Eventually, she said to Alexei, “You are showing me another God. I am no longer angry with him. I just want to understand why this happened in my life and what he wants to tell me through this. I want to believe.”
The small church grew to about forty people, including several new believers who were preparing for baptism. Soon, they were hosting Sunday school for children, in addition to serving refugees, distributing aid within Vinnytsia, and going to the front lines of the war to host games nights, movie nights and Bible studies.
The new church in Vinnytsia was also called Heart of Christ MB, just like the one in Berdyansk. The two churches pray for one another constantly and are keenly aware of the dangers that they face. In Berdyansk, homes and churches alike are being invaded without notice, possessions and properties seized, and residents taken for interrogation. In Vinnytsia, so many people are in transition, not knowing if they should stay, or keep moving.
PRAY
Please pray for peace in Ukraine. Pray specifically for the Heart of Christ MB churches in Berdyansk and Vinnytsia, that their hearts will continue to beat strongly during these challenging days.
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