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The results of Kyiv's spring 2008 mayoral election disappointed many democrats: the incumbent, widely believed to be corrupt, was reelected. With his government splitting into factions, President Viktor Yushchenko scheduled elections for early December — about the same time NATO will determine whether to give Ukraine and Georgiamembership action plans. The election results may show whether the country is leaning toward the West (in choosing Yushchenko) or trying to keep ties with Russia (in choosing Tymoshenko Bloc). For evangelicals, the matter is complicated by Tymoshenko's record of appointing Christians to high posts.

The number of powerful denominations in Ukraine has created a sort of balance of power that protects religious rights. But if public disapproval of evangelicals grows, they may find their message rebuffed by Christians and non-Christians alike. Such a situation would make evangelism more difficult, but it's unlikely to dampen evangelicals' missionary impulse.

Lopatin, at Odessa Theological Seminary, says he has been impressed with American Christians' faithfulness to God. He sees this in their desire to forsake the conveniences of American life and go to a country that is hardly known and one they have never seen. He adds, "I dream about the time when Ukraine would be economically well enough to follow this example, and remember how our brothers helped us when we had a need."

The Stakhovskiys are already responding to that impulse. Even with their five girls, Igor says he and Raia are distressed over the children they see their society rejecting. He imagines they might start a home for street children. Or maybe create an organization for breaking down stereotypes against children with AIDS. "God put it in my heart, and I don't know what to do with it," Igor says.

One year after adoption, Nadezhda and Vera—"Hope" and "Faith" in English—are nearly unstoppable. They often escape the nursery corner during services. Nadezhda runs up to hug Igor's leg as he preaches one Sunday. He pauses, picks her up, and tells a short version of a story he tells often: that his family accepted the girls, believing it was what God had called them to. "We believe what God, not doctors, told us." The twins have become an encouragement to everyone who needs to see a case study of God's ability to save. On a larger scale, as Ukrainian evangelical leaders pursue their mission, they will also, in the words of Cherenkov, demonstrate that "Christ is better than stability."

Susan Wunderink is CT's international editor.

* We have used the Ukrainian spellings of proper nouns such as Kyiv (Kiev), Dnipro (Dnieper), and Volodymyr (Vladimir) throughout this article.

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's Inside CT is about this article. An interview with Kyiv megachurch pastor Sunday Adelaja accompanied this article.

Wunderink also reported on the mayoral elections in Kyiv last spring and spoke with Catherine Wanner about the development of evangelicalism in Ukraine.

The Kyiv Post, The New York Times, and other newspapers have updated information about the breakdown of Ukraine's government.

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October 2008, Vol. 52, No. 10