Three years ago, on 24 February, Russia invaded Ukraine. For more than 1,000 days, the men of Ukraine have gone to war, leaving their loved ones behind to wait. Life has changed in unimaginable ways: the sounds of sirens and missile attacks have become commonplace; the parks and plains are full of flowers and photographs of those who have been killed. Soldiers who return home sometimes find it so hard to readjust to civilian life that they choose to return to the frontlines. Families are torn apart by death and divorce, as the relentless stress takes its toll on people’s mental health.
One woman told a FEBA counsellor, “I start trembling every time the siren sounds. I can’t help myself. I am anxious all the time—no, I’m scared. Scared that a rocket will fly through my window and end my life. I don’t know the last time I slept through the night.”
After three years, people are exhausted and full of doubt that the war will end. Even Christians are beginning to ask, “If God is good and answers prayer, why does this war still drag on?”
Still, people seek God. According to the FEBA Ukraine team, they have seen at least a 30% increase in the number of new believers and in church attendance. Victor Akhterov, director of FEBA Eurasia, says that the war has prepared people for the gospel. “[People] come with open hearts, because the pain of war, the suffering of war, opened their hearts. Cracked hearts are open hearts for Jesus.”
FEBA Ukraine supports both soldiers and civilians through its broadcasts and outreaches. It has programs dedicated to helping soldiers with their pain and fear, and soldiers even phone from the trenches to learn about Christ, says Director Akhterov. “You hear explosions going, but they say, ‘Keep talking to me! Don’t mind the explosions – I’m here listening, because I want this hope.’”
Eight of FEBA Ukraine’s staff members are currently serving in the military – three as chaplains and five as soldiers. One staff member was critically injured and is still undergoing rehabilitation. All of them have families waiting for them.
On the home front, FEBA broadcasts programs for women and children, and runs a counselling helpline to support listeners with difficult questions. The team occasionally holds women’s meetings for soldiers’ wives and daughters, and thanks to FEBA Ukraine’s recent outreach campaign (“Embrace”), many women are seeking God more earnestly and joining churches.
The following testimony illustrates the powerful effect of FEBA Ukraine’s ministry very well: Olga phoned FEBA Ukraine’s counsellors for help with her fear of death – her own, as well as that of her son-in-law on the frontline. When the counsellor shared the Good News with her and she heard about God’s love for her as His daughter, Olga began to cry. She decided to put her faith in Christ. “Thank you,” she said. “I thought I was alone. Thank you for being with me, for introducing me to my Father.”
