‘God makes use of evil’: Ukrainians requesting Bibles, sharing Gospel

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Put up Reporter Thursday, December 26, 2024

Worshipers leave Sunday service at Sukovska Baptist church on June 19, 2022, in Druzhkivka, Ukraine. Services were held in a small tent in the back of the church because the building was heavily damaged by a recent missile strike. In recent weeks, Russia has concentrated its firepower on Ukraine's Donbas region, where it has long backed two separatist regions at war with the Ukrainian government since 2014. — Worshipers depart Sunday service at Sukovska Baptist church on June 19, 2022, in Druzhkivka, Ukraine. Providers had been held in a small tent behind the church as a result of the constructing was closely broken by a latest missile strike. In latest weeks, Russia has concentrated its firepower on Ukraine’s Donbas area, the place it has lengthy backed two separatist areas at battle with the Ukrainian authorities since 2014. | Scott Olson/Getty Photos

A Texas-based ministry that when smuggled Bibles into the Soviet Union within the Nineteen Sixties is constant to share God’s Phrase many years later, at the same time as battle has shaken the lives of thousands and thousands in Ukraine and Japanese Europe.

As we speak, the Japanese European Mission (EEM) is printing and distributing Bibles and different Gospel-centered supplies by means of an unlimited community of church buildings and Christian organizations to Japanese Europeans of their native languages. In 2024, EEM set its sights on distributing 970,000 Bibles and different Bible-based supplies in over 30 international locations and 20 totally different languages.

This contains Ukrainians struggling displacement and crumbling infrastructure as the continued battle with Russia has shattered any sense of normalcy, driving many refugees into Poland, Hungary, Moldova or different international locations. Kids are particularly impacted.

Even earlier than the beginning of Russia’s invasion and the following battle with Ukraine in February 2022, EEM distributed Bibles to Ukraine. Now, the ministry has seen Ukrainians compelled to flee their houses, taking the message of the Gospel with them.

“God makes use of evil, and this battle is certainly not from a very good place, however God will use it,” EEM Vice President Dirk Smith advised The Christian Put up.

Based on information from the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees, 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded globally and practically 4 million displaced folks in Ukraine as of November 2024.

But, even because the battle rages on, the requests for Ukrainian Bibles has not ceased, in keeping with Smith. EEM has seen a rise in requests, one thing that Smith attributed to Ukrainians searching for solace in God as they endure the trial of their nation at battle.

“We’re seeing Ukrainians journey, and I feel it is why the request for Ukrainian Bibles has elevated since you’ve obtained Ukrainian believers who’re migrating, and so they’re touring alongside or staying with Ukrainians who’re non-believers,” Smith defined.

“And the non-believers are wanting on the believers and going, ‘OK, we’re experiencing the identical hell, however you are doing it very, you are dealing with this otherwise,'” the EEM vice chairman continued. “With a peace, dare I say, that surpasses understanding. And the non-believers ask, ‘How is that?’ and the believers are there to share Jesus.”

Regardless of the battle, Smith mentioned EEM nonetheless prints Bibles in Kyiv and Western Ukraine. As a result of battle, the ministry has witnessed the rerouting of provide chain channels from Poland or Moldova. Nevertheless, on the time of the interview, Smith claimed EEM had but to expertise every other challenges.

On the bottom in Ukraine, EEM works with varied NGOS, ministries and church buildings run by Ukrainians. Based on Smith, a number of ministries will contact EEM and request extra Bibles when missile strikes occur.

For the ministry chief, the outpouring of requests for Bibles amid battle serves as a reminder of the Holy Spirit’s energy.

“It’s not about us,” he mentioned. “That is in regards to the energy of God’s phrase when it will get into any individual’s hand. It is the Parable of the Sower.”

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower to show His followers about responding to the Lord’s message and promise of everlasting life. The farmer within the story sows his seeds, which characterize God’s phrase.

Whereas some seeds fell on good soil and grew into crops, others had been swallowed by birds, choked from the thorns or withered within the solar. Jesus advised the story to point out how God’s phrase grows inside those that hear whereas others are consumed by Devil or fail to permit the Gospel to thrive inside their hearts.

“We sow the seed, after which we sit again and we watch in absolute amazement at God’s energy in delicate methods,” Smith mentioned.

Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Put up. She may be reached at: [email protected]. Observe her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman