De som nu hade skingrats gick från plats till plats och förkunnade evangeliet.
Acts 8:4
The persecution in Jerusalem struck with full force. The believers who were scattered went from place to place, preaching the gospel. One result of this was the birth of the church in Antioch. This pattern has repeated itself throughout the history of the Church and missions: refugees became missionaries, and the gospel reached new areas.
In September, Carl-Gustaf Severin and I visited the city of Valencia in Spain for an annual Slavic faith conference. Because of the war in Ukraine, which began back in 2014, many believers in Word of Life churches in the eastern parts of the country have suffered greatly. Many have been forced to leave their homes and flee into an uncertain future. Some of them ended up in Spain.
In 2018, I reconnected with old friends from Donetsk who had settled in Valencia. We had worked together for many years in Ukraine and were now reunited in Spain. In the midst of their personal challenges, they recognized the needs among their fellow countrymen and began gathering them to share God’s Word. Over time, they made contact with Ukrainians in different parts of the country. We decided to organize a conference for them, which we have now held every year since.
It is a great joy to see new congregations beginning to grow. These churches are made up of believers who, especially in the beginning, feel lost, uprooted, and vulnerable. Their previous lives have been shattered. At home, they had work, family, friends, and a church. In their new country, they face significant needs and must build a new daily life with housing, employment, school for the children, a new language, and more.
The emerging churches play a crucial role. They often become a first point of connection, offering networks that can ease integration and help people settle in their new country. The challenge is that the focus on church life and service to the Lord can easily be replaced by practical concerns. In the struggle to find housing and income, even long-time believers with a deep and living faith may find that their spiritual life begins to fade. It is not uncommon for these already tested Christians to go through crises of faith.
That is why the churches and their pastors have such an important responsibility. They help newcomers not only adjust to a new society but also care for their souls, ensuring that their faith is not extinguished. The goal is for them to rediscover their purpose, calling, and a renewed joy in serving God.
What a joy it is for us, as a spiritual family, to receive them and offer fellowship and safety in an environment they already feel at home in. This strengthens their faith and boldness in sharing it, and supports entire families. This is especially important for the children, who often find themselves in a completely new situation. In such times, having friends at church is invaluable.
This year’s conference brought believers from many parts of the country: Barcelona and Zaragoza in the north, Madrid in the center, Sevilla, Málaga, and Torrevieja in the south, as well as from southern France. It was a joy to preach alongside three dear friends—one from Ukraine, one from Russia, and one from Armenia. All are part of the Word of Life family and now serve in Spain and France.
Participants shared how strongly they experienced the presence of the Lord. For some, it was the first time. The enthusiasm and joy in their faith were clear, and confidence grew that God wants to do something in Spain.
We also had the joy of presenting diplomas to more than 15 people who completed our Bible school in Ukrainian, here in Spain. Our goal is to equip local leaders and workers for the harvest. The roots are beginning to take hold, and in the future we will see the work continue to grow!
