I catch the Ukrainian Sergej on the phone. He is busy coordinating the relief work supported by the donors of the Danish European Mission.
What is the situation right now?
In Ukraine, the need for food and shelter is enormous. There are examples of several families living together in just éA room where there are also disabled and elderly people. The stories are different, but what they have in common is that people are fleeing for their lives.
While my heart is broken by the need, my heart is warmed by seeing how the church helps the vulnerable. I have just seen how Christians in Ukraine are opening their homes. One family even moved out of their house and lent it for free to several families, 12-15 people in total, from Mariupol. I see how people care for each other.
When you called the other day, we were at a place where Ukrainian Christian volunteers distribute food with the support of Danish European Mission donors. Christian leaders have organized a large food distribution center where hundreds of food packages are packed for families. The volunteers have needs themselves, but they help others.
Who gets emergency aid?
We distribute food to the people who need it most. People are very grateful for the help and it is difficult to talk about without being touched. Christians help in the name of Jesus and share the words of the Bible that bring comfort to those who mourn.
We carry out the project in networks with local churches, so we have extensive knowledge of local conditions and who is most in need of help.
What does it mean for the church's role in the community to serve the vulnerable?
The church is bringing hope to communities during this time. Some churches have even become physical shelters where internally displaced people seek refuge. But also spiritually, churches bring hope. Pastors can bring spiritual comfort to people. In the midst of incredible tragedy, the church has become much more relevant than it is in times of peace and prosperity. The church becomes known for being a true church, for being the hands and feet of Jesus in the midst of crisis.
Ukraine is the post-communist country that has sent the most missionaries since 1991. There are Ukrainian missionaries who have planted churches in Africa, India, China and Central Asia.
Seeing young people, seeing how they give all their free time, all their energy to help refugees - it's overwhelming.
Do people seek God more now than in peacetime?
Yes, it is. Especially in the western part of Ukraine. Churches are overcrowded at this time. The need for the New Testament is far greater now than for any other literature. Our printing house in Lutsk cannot keep up with the demand.
A children's Bible and New Testament are handed out with every lunch box. People are comforted and reassured by these books. Ukrainian communities already have a long Christian tradition. Many believe that simply having a Bible brings them closer to God. Many know the Lord's Prayer by heart. I don't know how many, but there are people who accept Jesus as their personal savior in this time.
Are there many praying?
Absolutely. Prayer is the place where man spiritually flees to and seeks rest with God. People pray for peace, for those who have lost loved ones and for family members who have fled to other countries.
Is the Ukrainian church engaged in mission?
Ukraine is a Bible belt among the countries that were part of the Soviet Union. And the church has grown stronger since the collapse of communism.
Ukraine is the post-communist country that has sent the most missionaries since 1991. There are Ukrainian missionaries who have planted churches in Africa, India, China and Central Asia. There are Ukrainian Messianic Jews in Israel.
In Poland, there are currently over two million Ukrainian refugees, some of whom are enriching local church life. I visited a Polish church last week. It used to have 70 members, now there are 500 in attendance.
There is widespread freedom of belief and religion in Ukraine, with the exception of the areas taken over by the Russians. That's why people are afraid. If Russia takes over Ukraine, it could have consequences for religious freedom.
