This update is being 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.
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It has been one week since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the damage and loss of life has been devastating. Please continue to pray for Ukraine, and especially for our dear brothers and sisters who are in harm’s way. The Lord has been kind to allow communication with our teams, and they’ve asked that we relay the following updates and prayer requests:
Updates:
- This past weekend, those sheltered in the church and TMAI seminary building held their normal Sunday worship service. Despite the strict curfew to stay home, an 80-year-old woman walked 45 minutes to the church service. On the way, she was stopped by a Ukrainian solider and was asked why she was on the streets during the curfew. “I’m going to church,” she said. “The Church must remain open, there must be the worship of God.” The solider let her go to be with her fellow believers. The pastor and GMI missionary of that church told us, “I thank God He has us here.”
- GMI and TMAI are in contact with churches and ministry partners in Poland, Romania, and nearby countries who are ready to receive and minister to Ukrainian refugees. It is estimated that over 830,000 Ukrainian citizens have already fled to neighboring countries and need help.
- It is estimated that 2,500 Ukrainians have been killed.
Prayer Requests from our Ukraine Team:
- Many of TMAI’s students, graduates, and faculty members are in great danger.
- There are new waves of attacks in different parts of the country. Pray for God’s continued protection of His people and for peace to prevail.
- Four TMAI students in the city of Kharkov have endured numerous missile strikes. Pray for their safety.
- In the city of Chernihiv, one TMAI graduate’s brother-in-law was killed in a rocket blast. Pray for comfort for the surviving family, especially for those who don’t know Christ as Savior, and for the pastor as he ministers in this difficult situation.
- In the region of Mariupol, there are reports of “constant shelling” with women and children being killed. Pray for strength for the affected families, and wisdom for the TMAI student and other pastors who minister in the area.
- The church of one of our missionaries is sheltering 65 people in their underground parking lot. Praise God they received a generator for electricity and heat in the case that power is disrupted.
- Water is not working in some regions of Kyiv. Thankfully, some stores still have supplies, but they may not last or be restocked. Pray for the provision of basic physical needs, like water and food.
- Pray that the GMI missionaries, as well as TMAI seminary students and faculty, would have great courage and strength, and that their gospel witness would shine brightly in these dark days.
- Pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ would penetrate the hearts of unbelievers and bring them to a saving faith.
Thank you for keeping Ukraine in your prayers,
The Master’s Academy International
Grace Ministries International
