A Ukrainian pastor decided to remain in their hometown, Orikhiv, despite the consistent bombings taking place. “We are the army of Christ,” he said. “So we are here to fight on His side and to bring the word of God to these people.”
Ukrainian pastor
Orikhiv, a town in Ukraine, was originally a town with about 20,000 people. But, today, there is less than ten percent of that number. Those who remained stayed to honor their homeland. “No, I want to live on my land, my Ukrainian land. And I hope that my city will be delivered soon,” said one resident.
CBN’s Chuck Holton traveled all the way to Orikhiv to see the situation of Ukrainian survivors. There, he met Pastor Victor from a local church.
Pastor Victor stayed in the town with his family to help their fellow Ukranians. He believes God is most glorified in their decision.
“When we were thinking about what to do, whether to stay or to leave, we were praying,” he said. “And God answered us, and He said, ‘I will bless you whether you will go or whether you will stay, but My Name will be glorified more if you stay.”
Glorifying God
Although there is no water, electricity, or heat, not to mention the constant bombing, Victor chose to do the very thing that would glorify God – they stayed.
And in their staying, they met fellow survivors who needed their help. And because they are located only miles away from the front lines, more and more people are turning to God.
“Before the war, we had about 30-40 people coming to the church,” Victor revealed. “A lot of people left, but now we have services with about 100. So the church has the answer for the people here.”
Orphan’s Promise and other organizations have worked together to bring Victor and others what they need. They deliver food, medicines, and warm clothing. Olga Buznitska from Orphan’s Promise said, “It’s really very dangerous to be Ukrainian right now. Nobody knows who will be next. It doesn’t matter where you are in Kyiv, in Western Ukraine, in Lviv, or here in front line. You don’t know who will be next.”
She added, “[But] I can have a safe place in Kyiv region because soldiers are fighting for me. And I see that this people who will still be here, this church, they are fighting for me too. It’s like another level of soldiers.”
Reference: CBN News