As Ukraine approaches its two-year anniversary of struggle with Russia, Andrew Moroz, a Ukrainian-American pastor from Lynchburg, Virginia, gave ChristianHeadlines a first-hand account of his travels to Ukraine. Moroz has repeatedly visited Ukraine to ship assist and serve. She is taking psychological well being professionals together with her in April to supply extra assist. Though many army specialists thought the Ukrainian authorities would shortly collapse after the beginning of the struggle, two years later the nation continues to be standing, albeit tattered and bruised.
CH: While you have a look at the two-year anniversary of the invasion, what involves thoughts?
Frost: Two years of braveness and resilience. The truth is, the struggle in Ukraine dates again to 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the battle in Donbass. Unimaginable stress, sweat, blood and tears. Ukrainians are courageous to withstand the unjust invasion of their nation and are very resilient. I additionally see loads of braveness and honesty within the church (of Ukraine). It’s simple to facilitate worship and follow spiritual expression when issues are calm. Even within the midst of struggle, Ukrainian Christians are actively worshiping God and assembly the wants of others in Jesus' identify.
CH: What was life like in Ukraine earlier than the struggle?
Frost: Each time I’ve visited Ukraine within the final 25 years, Ukraine has modified positively. Its independence from the Soviet Union within the early Nineteen Nineties created alternatives for religion to flourish and for financial growth. Within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s, Ukraine discovered it very troublesome to develop as a result of corruption was nonetheless prevalent and Russian affect was overbearing. By a collection of revolutions, Ukrainians rejected Russian-based political leaders and as an alternative selected to ally themselves with the West. In 2019, after I first introduced my American kids to Ukraine, Ukraine was booming. There have been nonetheless many challenges, however the future was vivid.
CH: Are you able to inform our readers one thing about your background?
Frost: I used to be born and spent my childhood in Ukraine. I’m a primary technology immigrant to america. Nearly all of my prolonged household nonetheless lives in Ukraine. For the previous 15 years I’ve pastored Gospel Neighborhood Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. My work in Ukraine led me to discovered The Renewal Initiative, a non-profit group that exists to revive dignity and hope the place it has been stolen or misplaced.
CH: Are you able to inform our readers what life is like in Ukraine at present?
Frost: Proper now, the way forward for Ukraine is in jeopardy. However not solely in Ukraine. Take into consideration the implications of what’s taking place in Ukraine on different free and democratic nations. If the sovereignty of unbiased nations like Ukraine will be undermined, freedom in every single place is threatened. Ukrainians are doing every part they’ll to stay life “as ordinary”, besides that there’s a marked absence of males aged 25-45 in society (defending Ukraine), each day air raid sirens, nightly rocket assaults and drones. . Life is way more difficult, however folks do every part they’ll to maintain going. Companies and church buildings are open. The wants of these displaced by struggle are nice—however there are good folks serving these in want.
CH: Many Individuals are asking how they may help.
Frost: I by no means tire of asking my Christian mates to wish for Ukraine and contribute as a lot as they’ll. Prayer is each Christian's biggest wealth, extra highly effective than any weapon made by human fingers. Along with prayer, we will additionally arise for Ukrainians and people who find themselves struggling. That's one of many causes I began The Renewal Initiative: to amplify the voices of individuals in want. We will do that by sharing the wants of others with our mates and neighbors, however we will additionally do that by urging our elected officers to not withhold assist from Ukraine. It was disheartening to see the Home of Representatives withhold assist to Ukraine. Ukraine has develop into a political pawn. Lastly, Individuals can contribute financially to assist Ukrainians in want. In Ukraine, there are vigorous non-profit organizations that do good work. In 2022, there was an awesome international response, however a lot of that funding was exhausted. From bigger NGOs like World Imaginative and prescient to smaller operations like The Renewal Initiative, Individuals can donate funds.
CH: Why ought to American Christians care concerning the struggle in Ukraine?
Frost: I wrote about this explicitly lately CT article. The Bible calls Christians to recollect and assist clear up the plight of those that undergo, particularly the struggling of our brothers and sisters. Ukrainian Christians are a ravishing reflection of Christ in an unbearably troublesome time. We can not depart them and we can not neglect them. Pragmatically, if we fail to assist Ukraine now, I imagine it’ll price extra later.
CH: How can we pray for the folks of Ukraine?
Frost: Pray for peace and a remaining finish to the battle. Pray that God's kingdom might be manifest in Ukraine as it’s in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Pray that the Lord might be close to to the brokenhearted and save those that are crushed (Ps. 34:18). Pray for Ukraine to obtain the assistance it wants at this vital time.
CH: What occurs if Congress doesn’t approve monetary assist to Ukraine?
Frost: I’ve little doubt that every time this struggle ends, there’ll nonetheless be a nation known as Ukraine, however except Congress passes the present assist invoice, we don't know what Ukraine will appear to be. We all know numerous folks will die. They’re dying now, however hundreds extra Ukrainians will lose their lives. I’m pro-life and pro-peace, I are not looking for this struggle to be extended, and neither do the Ukrainians. I imagine that offering the required help to Ukraine may help them cease the Russian invasion and restore peace to their nation.
Picture credit score: ©Getty Photos/Jakub Laichter
