At a meeting with the pastors during our visit to Ukraine, we heard how they are choosing to focus on the positive changes happening in their communities due to the war, in spite of the challenges they face.

‍All of our churches in the Cherkasy region have experienced growth in their congregations since February 2022, as their fellow Ukrainians fleeing the heaviest fighting have arrived and settled in the area. Increasing numbers have also brought increasing need, and although the early days of seemingly non-stop food and aid distribution have passed, there are still many who rely on the regular packages of essential items the churches give out.

The pastors are realistic about what brings some people into their buildings at the start of every month. “In Ukraine, God uses this difficult time to send people to church,” says Oleg, leader of Christmas Church in Cherkasy. “We see that they come and go: they listen, receive something and leave. They will come back in a month's time.”

Sergiy, pastor in Blagodatne, agrees. “Of course, there are many people who want to get help at this time. They understand that in the church they can get food and clothing.” In the small village of Kadena Gora, Dima has also found himself very busy supporting people who are struggling. “Everyone is trying to survive somehow,” he shares, “and this is one of the reasons why people come to the church. So we're flexible, we try to find out their needs, and we try to adapt the church to be able to accept all these needy people.”