War & Persecution of the Ukrainian Church - Ukrainian Pastor and Chaplain

Most Christians in America cannot comprehend the persecution happening to Christians around the world. Sure, we might read an article, see a social media post about praying for the Persecuted Church, but most will scroll on by. We don't hear about it from the pulpit like we should, and it's certainly not a headline grabber for the media.

This is why I'm so humbled to have been asked to do a LR podcast episode with a Ukrainian Pastor (Igor) and Chaplin (Mark). Their personal stories and encounters with the Russian invasion, occupation, and persecution are jaw-dropping. These are bold and courageous spiritual leaders, and, what impressed me the most is, they did not travel to America to ask the American churches for money. They came to bring awareness as to what our brothers and sisters in Christ are dealing with in Ukraine and to ask for us to use our most deadly spiritual weapon against the evil one - PRAYER - and to engage with them in fighting through this intense spiritual battle. They are asking that the American Church move to the spiritual frontlines on their behalf. Pray for protection, spiritual covering, for their faith to be strengthened, and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to continue to spread. God is moving in the midst of the evil and atrocities happening in their country. People are hungry for hope, truth, and salvation.

Commit with me and others to live real by lifting up Mark and Igor, great men of faith, and the persecuted Church in Ukraine. And then, if you will, please share this episode of the Living Real Podcast with your pastors, churches, and prayer warriors. We cannot shirk our responsibility to pray for them. May the Church be the Church for every tribe, tongue, and nation. May Jesus Christ be praised.

More of their stories will be in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of Living Real Magazine coming in October.

Living Real,

Melanie