Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Ukrainian Baptist finds water in wasteland, reunion in time of war

  • April 25, 2022
  • International Mission Board
  • California, Featured, International Mission Board, International News, Latest News, Missouri, Texas
Yura crossed the border of Ukraine and Romania and stopped to grab a bottle of water at the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Send Relief station. Yura explained that he was also a Baptist and asked for the volunteers to pray for believers in Ukraine who are still sharing God’s love.
(IMB photo)

Ukrainian Baptist finds water in wasteland, reunion in time of war

Yura accepted a bottle of water offered at the station, noticing the Southern Baptist Convention sign on the station and the vests and hats of the volunteers.

“I’m a Baptist too!” he exclaimed.

Yura set his bags down on the pavement to take a moment for physical, emotional and spiritual nourishment.

When Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team members offered other snacks and supplies, Yura said to save them for those who needed them more. However, he accepted two lollipops to take to his children. The acts of kindness brought Yura to tears — he looked down at the pavement and whispered a thank you.

“I cannot believe that I am here, that this is true,” Yura said.

His wife, Sveta, and their two children fled Ukraine, not knowing whether they’d see their husband and father on this side of heaven. Yura remained to defend his country. They spent one month separated until Yura was released early from military obligations due to a medical condition he’d had since childhood.

Sveta called Yura after they arrived in Romania one month ago and told him their son asked why the bomb sirens weren’t sounding. Yura remembers when the first bomb landed in their hometown. The Russian plane flew over their heads, with the deadly cargo waiting for its expulsion.

“We’ll pray for healing for his mind,” Mickey Ebert said. Ebert represents the Missouri Baptist Convention and is leading an SBDR team to serve refugees at the border.

Yura told the volunteers there was a time as a Christian that he had doubts about his beliefs. He pulled a Ukrainian translation of Lee Strobel’s book, “A Case for Christ,” out of his black shoulder bag. This, he said, helped erase the doubts.

Seeing the Bibles and gospel literature on the table, Yura shared Christians in Ukraine were also outside, handing out New Testaments and gospel materials.

“They believe it is very important to share the Truth,” Yura said. “Pray for people in Ukraine to come to Christ. It’s a difficult time, but it’s a time for repentance.”

Yura reunited with his wife at the border of Ukraine and Romania. Yura sent his family to safety across the border while he stayed behind in Ukraine. When he was released from duty and got all of his company’s employees to safety, Yura joined his family. The couple attend a Baptist church in Ukraine and say believers there are sharing the gospel with neighbors. IMB Photo

Praying for what’s next

Yura and Sveta attended New Hope Church in Kremenchuk, a city in central Ukraine.

“If we have the option, we want to return to the Ukraine, because there are many people who need the gospel of Christ,” Yura said.

His boss invited him to move to work in Germany. He said he needed to think and pray first.

“Maybe God will need me in Ukraine. Pray for God’s will in our life. We don’t know what to do next,” Yura said.

Yura thanked Baptists, both those present and those in the U.S., for praying for Ukraine.

Meeting fellow Christians was a stream in a month-long desert of fear, loss, separation and a long exodus from central Ukraine.

“It’s such a blessing to have a conversation with you, it’s a pleasure to get something from you,” Yura said, his voice breaking. “I’m going to cry.”

Sweet reunion

The SBDR team members gathered around to comfort and pray for him. Ion Stan, a Romanian Baptist pastor, also joined the team. Romanian Baptists have actively served alongside SBDR teams.

“Thank you, I know your reward in heaven, it will be very great,” Yura said.

“We will see you there,” Ebert replied, smiling.

“See you in heaven!” Yura called over his shoulder, waving goodbye to the volunteers from Texas, Missouri and California. Stan and IMB missionary Luke In helped carry Yura’s bags.

Reunion was on the horizon.

Yura’s pace quickened at the sight of Sveta. The couple embraced and kissed amidst tears of thankfulness and relief.

Pray for Yura and Sveta as they discern where the Lord will lead their family. Pray for Christians in Ukraine to continue to share news of hope in a land of loss. Pray, as Yura asked, that this season will be one God redeems and uses to make a case for Christ’s redemption.

Continued giving through Send Relief will meet the immediate and long-term needs of refugees and their families.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Caroline Anderson and was originally published by the International Mission Board. 

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies
    Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Endangered youth: When parents fail their children
    Endangered youth: When parents fail their children
    March 23, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Former SWBTS professor of missions Samuel Shahid dies at 87
    Former SWBTS professor of missions Samuel Shahid dies at 87
    March 22, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Longtime NOBTS registrar Paul Gregoire dies

Paul Gregoire, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary registrar for 29 years, passed away March 21 after a brief battle with cancer. “Paul Gregoire was a

boy leaning on black wall

Endangered youth: When parents fail their children

Researchers today consider bad parenting one of the most important public health issues facing our society. Uninvolved, abusive, irresponsible, absent or immature parents are endangering

Former SWBTS professor of missions Samuel Shahid dies at 87

Samuel Shahid, professor of missions in the Islamic Studies program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1998–2013, died March 2. He was 87 years old.

a stack of money sitting on top of a laptop computer

Churches more financially equipped to weather hardships, study shows

After enduring difficult economic seasons recently, churches are better prepared for financial rainy days than they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Lifeway Research study

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel