“This story is about how God’s word is fulfilled,” one pastor began, “in the lives of His weak but faithful children.”
The story he shares surrounds what God has done in the small church of his friend named Konstantin. Konstantin is a student of TMAI’s school in Ukraine who pastors a small church in the north of the country. His war-time ministry was first mentioned in TMAI’s August 2022 prayer email, and now his friend shares more of how God enabled Konstantin’s church to weather the war:
“When the war broke out, Konstantin’s small town north of Kyiv was invaded. During the occupation, a little more than ten church members remained in Konstantin’s congregation, and they continued to faithfully fulfill the ministry they could.
Every morning, Konstantin, the pastor of the church, who lived in the church’s building, met people who came there to recharge their devices using a gasoline generator, as there had been no electricity since the first day of the war. Konstantin prepared a simple meal to feed those who came to hear words of comfort and pray with him. The church building became an oasis of God’s care for those who needed it in those days. It was a vivid testimony to God’s grace.
As soon as Ukrainian troops liberated the territory of their village, a great deal of work began, the scale of which is hard to imagine.
Thanks to the support of generous ministry partners, humanitarian aid began to arrive in early April. It was decided that the aid should go to the villages around Konstantin’s to help people with food and, most importantly, to preach the gospel to them. This ministry covered not only their village, but also the surrounding villages, of which there are about twenty. Every week, 300—and sometimes more—people listened to the word of God. Every day of the week was planned, and this hard work continues to this day.
Thanks to the gospel preaching ministry in this area, many hundreds of people of all ages have heard the gospel, received spiritual literature, and many of them testify that they have read the Christian books they were given. Many have started reading the New Testament. If it were not for the war, it is hard to imagine that so many people would gather on a regular basis to hear the Word and receive humanitarian aid. We thank TMAI for their help and ask you to continue to pray for this sowing to yield a great harvest.
Today, more than ten new people come to his church building every Sunday to join the church.
Glory to Jesus Christ!”
Thank You for Supporting our Students
A few months ago, Konstantin suffered a stroke. We praise the Lord that he is on the mend, able to walk and carry a conversation. Even in this personal trial, his steadfastness endures, and TMAI continues to help him, the resilient church, and the ongoing ministry. The fruit of God’s work through his faithfulness is already seen:
“We believe there could be 3 church plants from Konstantin’s ministry to the surrounding villages,” said Greg W., President of TMAI’s school in Ukraine. “We are currently praying about who can go and be a part of a church plant team.”
Thank you for praying for our students and graduates who serve Christ in Ukraine. Please continue to pray with confidence that the Lord will build His Church as more and more people encounter His grace in the gospel.
