Dnipro is a city of millions located in the east of Ukraine, between Kiev and the Crimean peninsula. The city is located on the mighty river of the same name (Dnieper in Russian) Here, another new parish, which is part of the Word of Life parish network, was started in autumn 2024.
Nikita, a young man with his wife and two young boys, was sent to Dnipro from Poltava, from a church with a big missionary heart. From Poltava, much humanitarian aid has been sent to several near-front locations since the war started. Other church plantings, supported by the Word of Life, Uppsala have also been initiated from there.
Nikita is leading the work and after just a few months, some 80 people are now gathering in rented premises in the centre of the city, and the number is growing week by week. Many of them are refugees from occupied territories.
I had the privilege of visiting Nikita and the church during my recent trip. As I talked to several of the visitors to the meeting, I realised that many have gone through difficult situations and lost both homes and family members. At the same time, I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and confidence I encountered among the friends. Clearly, many of them had found a ‘home’ in the community and in faith in Jesus.
Today, the Word of Life is supporting 6 new churches around Ukraine, churches that were started in the midst of a burning war! Support in prayer, funding and – when the opportunity arises – visits to serve and encourage means more than we here at home can imagine. It is attested to time and time again! Knowing that believers in other countries recognise their situation and stand by them gives hope!
Before travelling on from Dnipro, I was down by the river with Nikita. It was a weekend and many people were strolling quietly along the quay, a group of older musicians were playing jazz. The war seemed far away. But there was also a massive concrete air raid shelter, and when the air raid siren goes off, the atmosphere changes in a second.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is and will continue to be a tremendous help and blessing in Ukraine during and after the war. We pray that it will happen soon and in the meantime we continue to support.
