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Christianity Today, October, 2008 |

Faith and Hope in Ukraine

How Eastern Europe's most missional evangelical church is rethinking tradition and the Great Commission.

Susan Wunderink | posted 10/17/2008 04:30PM

Igor Stakhovskiy cracks jokes and blinks furiously as his car, loaded down with eight passengers, inches up a hill at walking speed. His is one of the few cars in Kyiv* that is not a bright, sleek Toyota ...

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Tarac Sheptitskix

Posted: October 20, 2008 7:21 AM

The article highlights the struggles of a small Evangelical community who should be able freely, to live and worship. This type of freedom is what we want in Ukraine. So, Susan and Mike, it is not helpful to TELL us what we should have but give us the opportunity to have the freedom that you enjoy. I do not share your view of the Ukrainian Religious context where you claim there is "One True Church" because here we have at least three "One True” Orthodox Churches (The Ukr. Autocephalous Orth. Church, Ukr. Orth. Church - Kiev Patriarchate and Ukr. Orth. Church -Moscow Patriarchate). All of these are struggling for supremacy and separated by schism. This is only one part of the picture however, let’s not forget the Greek Catholic Church of Western Ukraine nor the Reformed Church of the Zakarpatski region. We know schism and we know bondage, let us try religious freedom free from 10th century geopolitics.

Alister

Posted: October 20, 2008 4:43 AM

Susan, If I'm following your logic correctly, I take it we should be discouraging (or perhaps even preventing since presumably its "offensive") Orthodox (and indeed Catholic) 'church' activity on US and UK soil, for example. Some people may consider it slightly more offensive that none of the Orthodox churches (nor the Roman Catholic) church officially consider Protestants to (ordinarily) be Christians at all.

MIKE ROSS

Posted: October 19, 2008 11:00 PM

I at one time contributed to such organizations that 'spread the gospel' to the 'Iron Curtain' countries. People such as Brother Andrew, etc. THEN, as I began to question the AUTHORITY of the american evangelical/fundamental/baptist sects and cultus, I also found out that my maternal people were Slavic and from western Ukraina. Since then , I have come home to THE One Catholic and Apostolic Faith, that would be the Eastern Orthodox. The schisms/sects of western Latin protestantism I no longer need, for THE Faith is sufficient. To you who errantly spread american ideals of you own making, along with your materialist agenda, and world view, I am of the opinion that you should reconsider you errors. Throw out the pagan worship...get rid of your so-called 'contemporary' rock and roller style 'worship' with your 'music ministers', throw out the guitars, saxes, pianos, organs, and tamboreens. (if you need to dance, do it some other time than in 'church'or just not call it church.

Rick Stevens

Posted: October 18, 2008 9:55 PM


Thank you for your wonderful article and especially for telling Pastor Igor's story. I was privileged to be a guest in Igor and Raia's flat last March during a mission trip to Ukraine. What a delightful evening I enjoyed with them and their children. I wish I could convey the warmth of their servant hearts. They are terrific!

Susan Peterson

Posted: October 18, 2008 9:38 PM

Did it ever occur to you that Ukraine is a traditionally Orthodox area of the world, and that it isn't right for other Christian groups to go there and try to convert people who are already Christians? The same for South America which is traditionally Catholic; it is offensive for other Christian groups to go there and try to make Catholics into some type of Protestants. Please go preach to those who don't already have a historic Christian church in their area. If you are really brave, go preach to the Muslims! Susan Peterson

Jeri	Posted: October 18, 2008 1:14 PM


Very much appreciated this article opening my eyes to a part of the world I hear little of.

Peggy

Posted: October 17, 2008 5:11 PM

As Paul said about the Thessalonians "We ought ALWAYS to give thanks to God for you, brethren (of the Ukraine), as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows greater. Therefore we speak proudly of you among the churchs of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure." Thank you for this enformative article it was a blessing.

Philip

Posted: October 17, 2008 3:18 PM


God bless the Eastern Eurpoeans who are upholding Christianity.The West has fallen and have prostituted themselves to materialism and Dawkinism. God will use the Eastern Europeans to fight the Muslims who have gained a foothold in the Western societies.The West is dying because of very low birth rates and becoming paganistic.

RJR_fan

Posted: October 17, 2008 2:11 PM


Excellent article. I spent two exhilarating weeks in Ukraine in 1992 with the John Guest Evangelistic Association, loved the people, and hope to go back some day -- when I can do so with my family, and at a profit.

Gregory Chase

Posted: October 17, 2008 1:34 PM


It is good to see the Ukrainian Christians have growing pains and thinking through the knotty problems of being salt in their culture. As one who has been involved in missional work there, I am happy to see growth and strength in the leadership there. May God bless the Christians in the Ukraine and give them Holy Spirit unity.

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