By Pastor Zane Sporleder
As you all know, the war in Ukraine has had devastating effects for the Ukrainian people. As the initial shock of this war and the headlines it was making wane, the attacks continue and the physical and spiritual needs are mounting. If you’ve been at Sunday service the past two weeks you’ve heard Thang and I mention that our church is hoping to support the Ukrainian people in their need and seek to help in whatever way we can.
The elders decided to use $1,000 of the remaining ’21/’22 missions budget to help aid the relief effort and hope to encourage our body to consider adding additional support, both prayerfully and financially.
There are many organizations bringing aid in this crisis, and for that we are thankful. When thinking and praying through the best way to help, we came to the conclusion that we wanted to help support the local churches in Ukraine. We believe this is the best way to get our money directly to God’s people doing God’s work in Ukraine, so that they could use it to care for the physical and spiritual needs of those around them. These are indeed very dark days for the Ukrainian people and God is using his people, his church, as a light of the gospel to the hurting and lost world.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
I’ve heard multiple accounts of God’s church in Ukraine risking their lives to shine God’s light in the current darkness. No doubt God will use his people to bring his kingdom light into this present darkness.
There were a few great options that we were aware of, and how we could send our support to the churches in Ukraine. But, one seemed the most obvious: the Suko family. The Suko family is a family of missionaries based in Odesa, Ukraine. The Vine Church has supported them in the past, and this seemed like to perfect opportunity to show our continued support for their ministry and to help the local churches in Ukraine as they seek be a light to the gospel. I know many in our church know the Suko family, but I have not yet met them. So, I reached out to hear a bit about their current ministry focus and the needs they have. Here is an excerpt from an email from Caleb Suko that I hope paints a picture of the work they're doing and what is ahead of them.
“The churches are doing an amazing job here and we are doing what we can to support them and make sure they continue serving people. Honestly, I've never seen a time in my life like this with so many gospel opportunities. Currently, we are using ministry funds to help provide for the humanitarian aid that churches are giving out. The need is growing here as the financial situation gets worse for individuals and people are returning back to Ukraine from Europe. There is an openness to the gospel that I have not seen before.”
I am personally thankful for the Suko family and anyone who heeds God’s call to love and serve in the darkest of times knowing that God’s people, carrying God’s love and gospel message, will bring light to that darkness. Please continue in prayer for the Suko family and the work of God’s church throughout Ukraine. If you would like to further support the work in Ukraine through the Suko family, you can give through our website to be passed directly on to their ministry through the “Ukraine Donations” fund or give straight to their work through their missions agency. here: https://www.abwe.org/work/missionaries/caleb-christina-suko.
For more information about the Suko family and their ministry check out their website here: https://sukofamily.org/about-us/.