Ukraine (MNN) – As Russian drones continue to strike Ukraine, Dan Maley with Horizons International says ministry continues behind the barrage. 

 “We’ve seen the impact and the immediacy of humanitarian aid that will still go on. But really it’s all this other stuff. It’s the long term. How do you support families that have been broken up? How do you find encouragement for people who have lost?” 

Children’s camp in Ukraine, courtesy of Horizons International.

Partnering with the local church, Horizons takes a “boots on the ground” approach, believing that Ukrainians are the best equipped evangelists to their local neighbors.

“We’ve got people on the ground who live there, who understand the culture and the context. They know what it feels like for other people who are living through the same thing,” Maley says. “We get something started, or we join in what’s already happening. Either way the Lord gets the glory.” 

Ministries include counseling services for soldiers, evangelistic meetings, and children’s camps, all of which are playing out against a backdrop of war – a war much of the world has mentally shifted to the backburner. 

 “In a lot of ways, it feels very mundane, but behind it is this big, scary story of war and conflict and lives being lost,” Maley says. 

The stories coming from his fellow teammates in Ukraine now center on the personal. 

“If you have someone who has been displaced from a home, you’re going to hear about it. If there’s a new influx of people from an area that are moving around, that would be it too,” Maley says. “Ok, we’ve got a new need. We’ve got a new group of people who need feeding and taking care of.” 

Ukrainian flag (Photo courtesy of Max Kukurudziak/Unsplash)

For families, the repercussions of war are immense. 

“You’ve got the trauma and the counseling. You’ve got families who’ve had lives completely altered and are now trying to rebuild,” Maley says. 

The Gospel is foundational for every rebuilding effort. 

“We can obviously preach at events, but we can also just share Christ with people in a daily program or a children’s camp – whatever it is. They’re getting the love of Christ demonstrated to them in real time.” 

How You Can Help

  1. Please pray for the people of Ukraine and for the ministries supporting them physically, spiritually, and relationally. 
  2. Consider signing up for the On the Horizon newsletter, and read the testimony of Yegor, a young Ukrainian who came to know Christ through the children’s camp ministry of Horizons and their partnering congregation, Church of Grace. 
  3. Visit Horizon International’s giving page to further the Kingdom through a financial donation.

 

Header photo courtesy Horizons International.