This update is coordinated and released with Grace Ministries International (GMI). GMI is the sending agency for some of the faculty and leaders of the TMAI school in Ukraine.
As the war in Ukraine presses into its fifth week, please see below for updates and ways to pray.
Prayer Update:
- Five dear brothers from a church in Mariupol were killed while serving people in a bomb shelter. Please pray especially for their wives and children as they grieve this terrible loss.
- Please pray for God to grant His peace to the Christians in Kyiv. One of our missionaries there says he does not believe Russia is scaling back its assault on the capital. Shelling has grown more intense in recent days.
- By God’s grace, a few ministry partners in Kyiv helped to rescue another group of Christians who were fleeing Russian-occupied territory. While under enemy fire, their transport vehicles were able to intercept this group and bring them to safety.
- Pray for a pastor whose church is located to the north of Kyiv. He’s been shepherding his people for weeks without water, heat, and electricity in a city that has taken heavy shelling. Despite all this, we can “praise God that many unbelievers are coming to his church services.”
- Another seminary’s facility in Ukraine where GMI/TMAI missionaries have taught was bombed last week. “Thankfully no one was hurt as the building had been evacuated.”
- Please pray for the millions of Ukrainians now living in new countries. Some have left almost all their possessions behind as they’ve fled to unfamiliar places.
European Aid Update:
An encouraging report from EBTC in Germany:
“In the midst of all the suffering and terrible news, our God is making sure that the good news goes forth and reaches into the war-torn areas.
One [vehicle] drove all the way to the eastern city [****]. Many people there are standing in line for some food. They also each receive a gospel book. Please keep praying that many will be saved and will find true peace.
On receiving the food and the book, one elderly sister said, ‘Thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for the books. We will read them ourselves and then pass them on.’”
Refugee Update:
Over four million refugees have now fled Ukraine and moved west.
Since most of Ukraine’s husbands and fathers are required to fight for their country, the majority of these refugees are only women and children, escaping the war with little more than their winter coats and some small bags.
How are Christians in Europe responding to this crisis?
Several congregations associated with GMI and TMAI have welcomed these refugees with open arms. Our missionaries have given the following updates:
- In France
- “Our church hosts a Ukrainian congregation in the afternoon, started by refugees, and we are doing everything possible to support them.”
- In Germany
- “There has been a great network of churches communicating well for those who have left—there are many hosts readily available to take in refugees.”
- In the Czech Republic
- “The situation is getting worse by the day, and requests for help are coming in by the hour. We are coordinating with like-minded churches to distribute families and are raising funds to purchase essentials since all families are fleeing with only what they can carry.” [This missionary had at one point taken 3 adults and 12 children into their home.]
- In Poland
- “God has blessed us with the opportunity to welcome some Ukrainian refugees into our home. One of the families, a mom, and daughter, left when explosions made the windows shake in their house. They packed everything up in an hour with no intention to come back to Ukraine. Then they set off, not knowing where they were going!”
- “Through the Ukrainian refugee crisis, our church has been able to ‘devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful’ (Titus 3:14).”
- “As a church…We have rented and equipped three homes for refugees. There is little to no cost for them, depending on their need. Furthermore, many in the church have welcomed refugees into their homes.”
- “One of our church members has been assisting with the transport of containers filled with supplies from the US to Poland. Some of the supplies will be used locally, and the rest will be sent to Ukraine.”
- “Perhaps 40% of our current church gathering consists of refugees.”
One of our GMI/TMAI missionaries in Ukraine commented:
“It is a blessing to see how believers from around Europe are coming to the aid of their brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Praise God for the body of Christ!”
May these testimonies encourage your faith and your prayers as the war continues.
Thank you for praying with us,
The Master’s Academy International
Grace Ministries International
