KYIV, Ukraine (BP) – The dean of a small evangelical seminary in Kyiv is among more than 400 civilians found dead on the streets in and around the capital city, the seminary confirmed early April 4 on Facebook. “Vitaliy Volodymyrovich Vinogradov our dear brother, Christian leader, employee and a wonderful person, was found dead in Bucha,” posted Kim Bien Bum, principal of Kiev Slavic Evangelical Seminary (KSES) and pastor of Christ’s Blessing Church. “There are no words to express all … [Read more...]
Digital strategy brings hope to Ukrainians
MARIUPOL, Ukraine (IMB) – Bombs are falling every 10 minutes in Mariupol, Ukraine, a Ukrainian official reported. As hearts and buildings are broken, International Mission Board missionaries are providing a digital lifeline for Ukrainians. More than five million Ukrainians have seen a Facebook ad developed by missionaries and global partners. The ads guide Ukrainians to The Hope for Ukraine website, a website that provides gospel resources, links to download a digital Bible and the ability … [Read more...]
‘One of my normal days’: Baptisms, weddings, births in Ukraine amid war
LVIV, Ukraine (BP) – Nearly a month into Russia’s war on Ukraine, Southern Baptist-trained church planter and educator Yarsolav “Slavik” Pyzh enjoyed a day of normalcy. “This Sunday was probably one of my normal days for the last 29 days,” Pyzh, president of Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS) and founding pastor of Journey Church in Lviv, told Baptist Press. On March 20, with 10 million Ukrainians displaced refugees of war, Vlad and Khrystyna Kryshchuk were married at Journey … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists stand with Ukraine
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson may be the highest ranking Missouri Baptist in the state who has prayed for and expressed support for the Ukrainian people, but he is not alone. "In the face of unprovoked Russian aggression, Ukrainians refuse to back down or cower to a dictator,” Gov. Parson, a member of First Baptist, Bolivar, said on March 1, announcing that the state Capitol dome would shine blue and yellow – the colors of the Ukrainian flag – through March 4. “Missouri … [Read more...]
‘Miracle from God’ needed, Ukrainian Baptist leader, Southwestern alum, says
LVIV, Ukraine (BP) — “We need a miracle from God,” Yaroslav Pyzh, president of the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv, Ukraine, said from his western Ukraine home in a Zoom interview with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s news staff on the evening of Feb. 26. As he prays for the miracle, Pyzh is marshaling the people and resources of his school to help refugees of the war. Pyzh, a 2012 Doctor of Philosophy graduate of Southwestern Seminary, has served as president … [Read more...]
Russia’s first FM Christian station faces another crisis
ODESSA, Ukraine (BP) – While the people of Ukraine watch and wait for a potential Russian invasion, an evangelical Christian radio station called “New Life Radio” is continuing its ministry during the crisis. After more than 20 years of operation in Russia, New Life Radio moved to Odessa, Ukraine, several years ago in response to increasingly restrictive Russian laws. With the current threat of Russian military invasion, the station is preparing for another potential move of its … [Read more...]
Ukraine Baptists prepare for Russian invasion, call for Missouri Baptists’ prayers
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes additional reporting by Pathway Associate Editor Benjamin Hawkins. LVIV, Ukraine (BP) – Baptists in Western Ukraine have made plans to shelter fellow believers in the case of a Russian invasion at Ukraine’s eastern border, a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate who now leads a Baptist seminary in Ukraine told Baptist Press. Meanwhile, a Missouri minister who has worked closely with him and other Ukrainian Christians is calling fellow … [Read more...]
‘Living inside the cage’: Afghanistan tops Christian persecution list
SANTA ANA, Calif. (BP) – The Christian refugee hopped on one of the last flights out of Afghanistan to save his life and family. Since the Taliban regained rule there, Christians are hunted down and killed. “It’s really hard when you want to have freedom of faith and freely read our Bibles, freely share our faith,” he said at a Jan. 19th press conference revealing Opens Doors’ 2022 Watch List of the top countries for Christian persecution. “It’s really dangerous because you know, you’re … [Read more...]
China asserts more control over clergy through new rules
WASHINGTON (BP) – Regulations issued this year by China have intensified the communist government’s control of clergy among the five state-authorized religious groups and have effectively prohibited the work of pastors and leaders of unregistered churches and other entities, according to a new report. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a bipartisan panel appointed by the president and congressional leaders, released a fact sheet Oct. 29 on Chinese rules that … [Read more...]
For Christians left in Afghanistan, extreme secrecy only option
AFGHANISTAN (BP) – Christian minorities in Afghanistan are either fleeing the country or hunkering down to live in greater secrecy as the Taliban government there draws support from the global community, International Christian Concern (ICC) told Baptist Press. “There are Christians who say we can’t exist anymore in this country. We have to leave,” said William Stark, ICC regional manager for South Asia. “You have kind of this diaspora, if you will, of the Afghan church in a way. But … [Read more...]
‘Desperate situation’: KC-based ministry rescues Gospel workers, children from Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan – With the help of a Kansas City-based ministry, a child whose parents were killed by the Taliban arrived safely at the Rammstein Air Force Base in Germany, Aug. 27. An American missionary family had already chosen to adopt the child, but weren’t able to take custody of the child before the Afghan government collapsed last month. But, with the help of Kansas City-based Concilium, Inc., the child was rescued from Afghanistan only a few days before the U.S. military’s Aug. … [Read more...]
How can Southern Baptists respond to crises in Afghanistan, Haiti?
Prayer, giving most needed response to Afghanistan crisis By IMB Staff The Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan, storming across the nation and capturing all major cities within a matter of days. This political takeover occurred just weeks before the U.S. was set to complete its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. In the current crisis, an exodus is building as people by the thousands try to evacuate the country. Tens of thousands of Afghans who may be vulnerable to Taliban … [Read more...]
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