In today’s Western Christian landscape, there appears to be a prevailing sense of pessimism about the future. Many believers view the world through a lens that sees powerful forces driving us toward a dark and troubling future.
Yet, I am not convinced this is the correct viewpoint for anyone who lives by faith. Faith is the fuel of the future, and if God is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, then tomorrow should fill us with inexplicable hope no matter how bleak the present may seem. This message of ‘hope’ is what the world around us is desperate to hear.
Reflecting on my time in Ukraine earlier this fall, I saw a shared, unwavering hope for the future among Ukrainian pastors, chaplains, volunteers, and their churches.
Despite the terrible, heart-wrenching circumstances they face daily, and regardless of how exhausted they are or how much hurt they have endured, their hope for a better future remains strong because their faith is anchored in Jesus.
A young Ukrainian pastor-chaplain and a close friend recently shared, “What will happen next to Ukraine? You can see it yourself… this is a very challenging time in every direction. But do we have the strength to keep going? Yes, I do! I want to keep going, I want to serve, I love people, I love Ukraine, I love the church!”
This hope-filled outlook is resonating powerfully with people in Ukraine, evidenced by growing congregations everywhere.
Their example should inspire us to rethink our outlook on the future, motivating us to actively shape it with hope and faith rather than passively giving in to fear and pessimism.
Please continue to pray for and support Ukrainian ministries, spreading love, compassion, and hope to those suffering because of the war.
CHAPLAIN MINISTRY JOURNAL ENTRY
Preaching Life to Ukrainian Soldiers
One of our partner pastor-chaplains shared a poignant story from his recent 2,300 km trip to visit soldiers in Donetsk and Dnipro regions (South-East Ukraine). Petro (Peter) described his encounter with a young man named Simon:
“This young soldier, a Christian, had volunteered to defend his country nearly from the outset of the full-scale war. He continues to serve, though he has now been wounded. Simon stood out among the other soldiers for his unique sense of calmness.
I asked him what helped him to keep it together. He replied, ‘First of all, my faith in God, who saved my life and the lives of my fellow soldiers many times. Secondly, my girls (wife and two daughters).’
He was wounded in the legs, and while we were listening to his life story, we noticed blood on the floor, which, according to his fellow soldiers, he had already lost a significant amount.
When they took him to be bandaged, I found myself wiping his blood from the floor. In those solemn moments, I fought back tears as I realized how much these ordinary men and women are our true heroes, paying for our freedom with their very lifeblood.
I immediately remembered the image of Calvary’s cross and the sacred blood of Jesus Christ, which was spilled for our sins, offering us the gift of salvation.”
CHILD SPONSOR PROGRAM
VIDEO: From Tragedy to Gratitude
This family was blessed because many in HART’s community donate to the CSP-GENERAL FUND, which is used for special circumstances for needy families. It could be a life-saving medical operation or home repairs for families living in poverty – or, as in this story, assistance to purchase a home for a destitute family. READ MORE about the CSP General Fund.
ARTICLE
Russia is indoctrinating schoolchildren throughout occupied Ukraine
Thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russia and subjected to a program of indoctrination designed to rob them of their Ukrainian nationality.
In addition to these well-publicized abductions, Russia is also conducting a far larger indoctrination initiative that targets hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren throughout occupied Ukraine. READ MORE
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
VIDEO & ARTICLE
Moscow’s terror tactics against Ukrainian civilians have reached new lows
People in Kyiv didn’t get much sleep during the October nights when the Ukrainian capital was targeted by a record number of attack drones, not to mention by daytime air raids. Moscow’s latest plan of action is to target Ukraine’s civilian population and the Patriot missile systems that protect the country’s cities.
VIDEO & ARTICLE
Moscow’s terror tactics against Ukrainian civilians have reached new lows
People in the West who read such news would naturally assume that Kyiv, Sumy, Dnipro and Kharkiv lie in ruins and are demoralized. But Ukrainians continue to baffle outsiders with the apparent disconnect between the suffering they are experiencing and their reaction to it.
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.
