A Restoration Movement Leader Shares His Heart for ‘the Future of Ukraine’
By Victor Knowles
I first met Oksana Kuklinowsky when I was preaching in several churches in Ukraine with the assistance of interpreter Kostek Jakoniuk of Poland. Her husband, Valeri, was minister of the church in Zdolbunov, in eastern Ukraine. I remember our service was 5 hours long, including a Q&A session with 24 area ministers.
Several years later, Valeri was tragically killed when he was hit by a truck while walking home. This left Oksana all alone to raise their five children. Peace on Earth Ministries (POEM) has helped support the family ever since.
I tell you this because I need to put a face, or faces, on Christian families in Ukraine. Many refugees are coming to their city (located 18 miles from Rovno) and their congregation for help. Oksana’s children lead a group called “The Future of Ukraine” that many non-Christians attend. They spend time with nonbelievers by reading the Bible with them every Saturday night.
“It is a joy to see how the children are changing when each summer they travel in all Ukraine to share the gospel in various cities and villages,” Oksana says. “They come back tired but rejoicing.”
Ukraine is the breadbasket of Eastern Europe. I remember driving through the vast countryside one moonlit night. I live near Kansas, so I’m familiar with wheat, but I was amazed that the wheat fields of Ukraine go on and on and on. I recalled Jesus’ words, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38, New King James Version).
From 1961 to 1991, churches had to provide the Communist authorities with a list of those seeking baptism. No person under the age of 18 could be baptized. I was shown a river that still is called “Baptism River.” Churches would go unannounced to this river, sometimes immersing as many as 2,000 people at a time. Since perestroika, all that has changed.
“We always pray for you,” Oksana says. “We are alive and well but sometimes have sickness, but the Lord is near us in all our troubles. We live only with his help. I thank God more and more for people like you and your co-workers. I know, believe, and have experienced many times that the Lord will never leave nor forsake us. I will praise him always.”
Now we need to be praying for believers in Ukraine—and also in Russia. I do not believe that the average Russian or Ukrainian wants war. Christians want to evangelize their nations. God wants those countries to be won to his Son, Jesus Christ. Together, we can earnestly pray for peace.
I found only two Bible verses that contain both of those words, pray and peace. Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Jeremiah 29:7 says, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city [Babylon] to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Let us covenant to fervently pray for peace to prevail in Moscow and Kyiv and every city or village, large or small, in Russia and Ukraine. Let us especially intercede on behalf of the believers in both countries to be emboldened to share the gospel of peace with their fellow citizens.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16, New Living Translation).
Victor Knowles is founder and president of Peace On Earth Ministries, Joplin, Mo.
Author: Christian Standard
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Prayers for the Lord to continue the work through this family and others during this crisis. Goodness and mercy will prevail through faith. It will never be an easy path for Christians any longer and it is moving closer and closer to our own homes. Prayers for those needing shelter, water, food and medical care be provided through Lords almighty hand. Amen