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A Kharkiv Church's Message of Hope Amid War (VIDEO)

By Tom Mills, Dec 10, 2024

Mark Agarkov, an elder at Kharkiv Presbyterian Church, knows firsthand the impact of war. Two days prior to recording this video, historical buildings in the city center were hit by air bombs. The buildings were only around 700 meters from Mark’s apartment. He knows the goal is fear, but he is committed to staying in Kharkiv. “We understand that this is our calling, to be here, to serve people, and to help them in such terrifying circumstances, to show them the hope and love of Jesus Christ,” he explains.

Mark knows the church is there to be the hands of Christ, to proclaim His Word, to preach the gospel. Every Sunday they gather to worship God together, and are inviting everyone in the city, more than 1 million of people. Half are internally displaced people from small villages who lost their homes. The church knows the physical need is huge and they are providing food, hygiene, warm clothes, with help from generous donations from the church in the West.

Mark asks for prayer for peace and an end to the war, for the spiritual growth of the church, and unity in Christ. And for the mission to share the gospel with people, and to provide help for those in need, especially during the winter season.

Tom Mills
Tom Mills is a content creator for Mission to the World. He is a graduate of Wheaton College. Tom loves meeting and interviewing believers all over the world, capturing stories of God's global church.
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Pray for Kharkiv Presbyterian Church in eastern Ukraine. Amid constant fighting, the church remains strong and retains a deep commitment to care for its community. 

Give thanks for those God is drawing to Himself around the world, particularly a Japanese who feared she was too broken to be fixed, and several Ukrainian students who are exploring faith in Christ.

Pray for the pastors/national partners ministering in the Ukrainian church amid the ongoing war. Pray too for MTW missionaries who serve the church both in-country and from afar.

Please pray for the Crates for Ukraine 3.0 effort, and for the med kits, tourniquets, vitamins, winter wear, and other critical supplies to meet the physical needs of Ukrainians in the areas that need it most.

Give thanks for Ukrainian pastors being able to gather in person for a recent Presbytery meeting. Pray for Ukrainian pastors as they continue to minister in the face of war.

Give thanks for God's faithfulness to build strong churches in Ukraine over the last 30 years, and that they've remained solid through war and displacement. 

Give thanks for the aid given through Crates for Ukraine and pray that God would mobilize people to participate in the next iteration that has just launched. www.cratesforukraine.com

Give thanks to God for what He's done through the Crates for Ukraine effort and for the many who've contributed and helped courier crates.

Pray for the growth of the Ukrainian church, including Ukrainians scattered abroad, as many are drawing closer to Christ in the midst of trauma.

Pray that God would use the crisis in Ukraine to draw many to himself, and that many new churches would ultimately be planted there.

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