MENU

Lauren Stovall: Pandemic, War, & a Surprise (VIDEO)

By Tom Mills, Dec 6, 2022

In February of 2020, new missionary Lauren Stovall moved to Odesa, Ukraine, to begin her ministry. Just a few weeks later, the pandemic hit and the country went into lockdown. It was a challenging start to missionary service, particularly as a single woman in a new city. Two years later, in February 2022, a newly engaged Lauren (she’ll share that story!) fled to Romania as Russia attacked Ukraine. 

Lauren’s ministry has not looked like she initially expected, but God has used her in mighty ways, helping lead women’s Bible studies, strengthening the church, sharing her faith, and now ministering to Ukrainian refugees among others in Brasov, Romania—all while she walks through her own challenges and grief and adjusts to a new life in a new city once again. Watch the video to hear Lauren's story about how God has met her in the chaos, and her unexpected romance and recent wedding. 

Follow mtwglobal on YouTube to watch the full series as Lauren was commissioned by her church, departed for the field, landed in Ukraine, and started her ministry. 

Watch all six videos in the series:

#1 Meet Lauren Stovall https://vimeo.com/363850442
#2 Finding Prayer Partners and Supporters  https://vimeo.com/378642777
#3 Home Church Sendoff https://vimeo.com/518253673
#4 Leaving for Ukraine https://vimeo.com/518743067
#5 Odessa Arrival https://vimeo.com/577786117
#6 Pandemic, War, & a Surprise https://vimeo.com/771776059

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.
Please login to continue
Forgot your password?
Recover it here.
Don't have an account?
Create an Account
Sign Up for Free
Name
Email
Choose Password
Confirm Password

GET INVOLVED

Church Planting Opportunities in Ukraine
Longer
RUF Campus Ministry in Lviv
Longer
Ministry Internships in Southeast Asia
1–11 Months

30 Years of Grace in Ukraine: The Backstory on a Country That's on Every Front Page

The story of MTW Ukraine is a story of how Christ continues to build His Church through many successes and setbacks.

SEE MORE

We're In This Together: A Crates for Ukraine Update

Over 250 churches came together to pack and send more than 1,200 relief crates to Ukrainians in need.

SEE MORE

An Opportunity For the Ukrainian Church (VIDEO)

The Church has this unique moment to minister right where people are broken and vulnerable, offering them a stable hope that cannot change.

SEE MORE

Give thanks for and pray for the Krakow crisis team, the distribution of aid, and the shelter ministry as the team cares for displaced Ukrainians.

Pray for MTW Ukraine's publishing ministry, translating and publishing Reformed materials in Ukrainian to equip pastors and laypeople in the Church.

Pray for the new believers God is drawing to Himself in Ukraine, and for those returning to faith in the wake of war.

Pray for Ukrainian pastors and church members who remain in dangerous areas, and for those transporting supplies across enemy lines. 

Pray against rape, murder, and capture of men, women, and children in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Pray for protection for the vulnerable.

Pray for courage for Christ’s followers in and around Ukraine. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis

Pray for families who have evacuated, leaving behind the only place they have ever known. Pray for transition and provision. 

Pray for pastors who have stayed behind in Ukraine as they minister to their congregations and the surrounding communities in a time of war.

Pray for the health, rest, and ability to continue for those who are working with and making arrangements for refugees. It can feel like the future of each one of them is in your hands. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis

Pray that our brothers and sisters who have lost everything will cling to the community of believers and ultimate hope in Christ, and for the massive movement of people and the refugee work our teams are involved in focusing on Lviv and Krakow. mtw.org/ukraine-crisis

SUBSCRIBE TO STORIES & MORE

Good news in your inbox, once per week.