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

Lviv Greenhouse Intensive | June 16–July 14
Mission Trips
Join a Growing Team in Freiburg, Germany
Longer
Cultivate a Culture of Missions in Your Church

"One Day" With Jon Eide in Ukraine (VIDEO)

Follow Country Director Jon Eide on a 50-hour journey from the U.S. to Kyiv, Ukraine, to encourage the Presbyterian Church in Ukraine.

SEE MORE

Continue to Pray for Ukraine (VIDEO)

It's been two years since Russia's escalated invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian church need our prayers.

SEE MORE

Crates for Ukraine 3.0: Calling All Churches, Youth Groups, and Galvanizers (VIDEO)

MTW Ukraine is getting more requests for med kits, vitamins, and winter wear right now than any other time in the war. Will you help again?

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.

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.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO STORIES & MORE

Good news in your inbox, once per week.