Now Is the Time to Stand With Ukraine
The purpose of our HART blogs is to educate and inspire, ultimately highlighting the impact of God’s work made possible through your support of our ministry.
We report on events in Ukraine from a Christian perspective, prioritizing objectivity and truth. Our goal has always been to present an honest depiction of the situation – highlighting the positives, the challenges, and the stark realities of war.
That’s why we believe HART’s community is one of the most well-informed when it comes to all things Ukraine. And we truly appreciate the encouraging messages from many of you about stories or content that has resonated with you.
However, last week was unusual due to the overwhelming number of calls, texts, and emails we received – not in response to a specific blog post but rather to comments made by President Trump.
This situation is both distressing and shocking. Given the confusion and spread of misinformation it caused, we felt it was important to reach out to our HART community and guide you to some resources to help you understand what is happening.
But let’s start here. Just as in World War II, where the Allies stood against Nazi Germany, the war between Ukraine and Russia has drawn clear lines between good and evil.
It’s important to recognize that the international community has overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, with numerous organizations and governments labeling them as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The scale and brutality of the atrocities committed by Russian forces are staggering. Some of the most egregious actions include:
Bucha Massacre
Mass killings of civilians, including torture and executions.
Mariupol theater bombing:
Airstrike on a theater sheltering civilians, including children, killing hundreds.
Kramatorsk railway station
Missile strike on evacuating civilians, killing over 59.
Olenivka prison massacre
Attack on a POW camp, killing hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners.
Izium mass graves
Discovery of over 440 bodies, many showing signs of torture.
Kakhovka Dam destruction
Flooding causes widespread displacement and ecological damage.
Abduction of children
Systematic deportation of 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia.
Targeting of civilians
Deliberate attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools, churches and residential areas.
Sexual violence
Widespread sexual violence, including rape and torture
Systematic torture & murder
Torture, mistreatment and killing of prisoners of war, civilians, and clergy.
Forced conscription
Conscription of Ukrainian boys in occupied territories.
Destruction of Power Grid
Deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, leaving millions without electricity/heat in winter months.
Consider the suffering Ukrainians have endured over their history: They survived the Holodomor (mass starvation). The Ukrainian people survived Stalin. The Ukrainian people survived Chernobyl. They’ve survived Putin.
Understandably, Ukrainians are now shocked and disheartened that the leadership of the USA, their most important ally, is aligning themselves with Putin and Russia.
A call for truth and accountability
Christians should be passionate about truth because we follow the One who is the Truth (John 14:6).
In light of Trump’s statements, it is crucial for Christians to focus on facts – to focus on ‘believing responsibly’ by…seeking and promoting truth – rejecting disinformation – and standing up for justice.
Truth is not for sale. It is absolute and should not be distorted for political or financial gain. Justice must not be compromised. God will never be on the side of injustice. Nor should we.
If you are interested in seeking the truth to have a greater understanding of the current situation in Ukraine, we would encourage you to explore some great sources of information:
Resources for Ukraine news, information & analysis
The links below are to news organizations that many of you in our HART community have been using for news and analysis of all things related to Ukraine. All have articles dealing with the subjects mentioned above.
Now Is the Time to Stand With Ukraine
Those who seek the truth must rise above manipulation and the pull of political agendas.
As friends and supporters of HART in the USA and Canada, we ask you to pray for a just peace, and we urge you to speak out publicly on behalf of Ukraine.
Please remember, supporting Ukraine is a stand for human dignity, resilience, and the fight for freedom against oppression.
PRAY
Pray for Ukraine, Pray for Peace
Here are specific prayer points that can help guide our prayers for the situation in Ukraine. Please share these with your friends and family.
