Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary Update
A Soldier’s Story
Since February 2022, our partnership with the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) has made an impact, bringing hope and the gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands during war. Soldiers have experienced God’s mercy and love in transformative ways through our partnership through the provision of Immediate First Aid Kits (IFAKs), which can save the lives of critically wounded soldiers. The Outreach Foundation has also helped UETS train military chaplains who provide for soldiers’ spiritual health. As a result, when the UETS team shows up, soldiers listen, trust, and share compelling stories like this one.
Rev. Dr. Ivan Rusyn, UETS president, has served the Ukrainian Department of Defense twice by deploying to the front lines where life is most difficult for soldiers. He shared a story of Oleg, who was part of an artillery unit. Ivan was embedded with Oleg’s unit deep in an artillery trench. Oleg had received an Individual First Aid Kit or IFAK from a military chaplain and was excited to meet the man (Ivan) responsible for giving these kits. He had used his kit on a member of the unit during a particularly horrifying attack in which several soldiers in his unit were killed. That man survived, and Oleg was glad he could share his kit in this way. Ivan told us, “You must understand that for the church to have provided something so lifesaving as this IFAK, it’s the most amazing thing for these soldiers. They have never known a church to care so much. When we tell them about Jesus, the God of love, because they trust us, they listen.” So, between rounds of artillery shelling, hunkered in a deep trench, Oleg and Ivan prayed, and Oleg asked Jesus to be Lord of his life.
This story is repeated many times over for soldiers and civilians alike. Yet, as hopeful as this story is, the reality for them is that they are exhausted and weary of seeing death. One soldier told Ivan, “I know it's my job. I know I’m defending my country, but I’m so tired of pulling this trigger.”
In the midst of this, the church in Ukraine is exhibiting the gospel. As the war moves beyond its third year, The Outreach Foundation continues to show up with Christ’s message of hope. This April 1-11, we will be visiting with military chaplains, pastors, and army volunteers to pray, further their resilience training, and hear their stories. Please review our visit flyer and consider joining the team. We are pleased that the former director of Samaritan’s Purse’s Heal Our Patriots program will join this year’s team.
THE OPPORTUNITY
From Oleg’s experience on the front lines, he tells us that the best gifts we can bring on this year’s trip are tourniquets and chest compresses. The Outreach Foundation seeks gifts to provide 1,000 sets of these medical supplies at $40 per set. All gifts of any size are welcome to help UETS continue sharing the hope of Christ with so many in Ukraine. You may make a gift by sending a check to The Outreach Foundation at the address below with “UETS” in the memo line or make a gift on the GIVE page of www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
