Pastoring Through the Darkness of War

Pastor Vadim was simply travelling around the Poltava region of Ukraine and telling people about Jesus. This was back in the nineties when people in Ukraine had only one “god” – Communism. Vadim wasn’t being paid for ministering. The only support he had was his wife. Today he pastors the biggest church in the Poltava region, “Blagovistia” (the Good News Church), with many daughter churches in the regional villages.

When I asked Pastor Vadim before the war what was his main task, he replied: “I want to bring to the Lord as many people as I can. You cannot imagine how many people in remote villages have never heard of the good news.” He told me excitedly about God’s miracles which occurred when he and his team went to the farthest villages of their region to share the good news. In Frunzovka Village a lame man walked. In Colotiyi Village a 10 year old boy dying of blood cancer was healed.

A central objective of the Good News Church is reaching out to Jewish people. The church has a big team helping Jews in Ukraine understand their calling as part of the Jewish nation and the importance of Israel. They help Jews to move to Israel in any way they can, by assisting with navigating the bureaucracy and through financial support. The ministry also prays regularly for Israel, Messianic congregations in Israel, and Katzir Asher Congregation, in particular.

This year, though circumstances have drastically changed, Pastor Vadim’s vision and focus remains the same. When the war broke out, Vadim had an opportunity to escape, to move to another country with his wife and two children, but he didn’t. I asked him why, and he answered that if he leaves his country and his people, he cannot be a pastor again. “I’d better think of a career of a cleaner.”

He laughed, but I knew what he meant. He meant that God raised him to a position as pastor of many churches, He blessed him with an anointed team, guided him and blessed his service, and all these would mean nothing if he failed his people in days of darkness.

Now Vadim, the leaders, and many members of the church spend their days helping those who are in need. They go to bombed cities and villages to bring food and supplies. They help Jews leave the country quickly and safely. They take care of the 53 refugees who sleep in the church building. They do anything they can, and the only thing that the pastor regrets is that they cannot do more. I look at the pictures he sends us almost every day, and don’t understand how he can continue smiling. Yet, the answer is simple: he is happy because God is manifesting His power and truth through their work, and nothing brings more satisfaction than that.

“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:2)