October 10, 2022 News Update
October 10, 2022
Dear Friends,
We are in Poland, just a stone's throw away from Auschwitz. We began our 6 days of teaching here on Sunday in a Brethren Church. Wonderful service. We continued tonight and had a great response.
We have been without internet for 3 days and so we did not get the news about today's missile strikes against Ukraine until after the night's lessons. I called to talk with Oleg in Kyiv. He was very grim faced as he spoke about the bombing in Kyiv. A dozen people were reported to have been killed and several dozen wounded in the missile attacks that took place on civilian targets during rush hour. From our standpoint the good news is that all of our people are alive. Praise the Lord for His mercy and His wonderful works to the children of men.
Vasya Munko, pastor in Lviv, reportedly spent four hours in the basement of their home until the bombing was ended there. The power in the city has been knocked out, as well as the heating for homes. We are planning to go there on Saturday. Pray that we will be able to go there to see our loved ones, to take in some supplies, and to encourage the believers there.
Several other cities were also targets of the Russian missiles. These targets have absolutely no military value, but were just intended to create panic among the civilian population and demonstrate that Putin can throw a big tantrum. According to several sources the majority of the Russian missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defense, although those that landed caused death and damage in several cities.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Jim
October 7, 2022 News Update
7 October 2022
Dear Friends,
We are heartened by recent news of victories in Ukraine. They have retaken much territory that had been under Russian control. But the war continues and many people are being killed. The Russians continue to send missiles and artillery into many cities and villages. People are suffering.
Many Ukrainians struggle to get by each day after having fled their homes. There is high unemployment, which according to the National Bank reached more than 35%. Ukrainians who have gotten away from war zones – mostly women and children -- are often desperate to find work to support themselves.
Finding a job is not easy and the monthly social welfare for evacuees barely covers their expenses, The government is trying to help their people with financial support, but the monthly social welfare for refugees amounts to only $55 per month for an adult and $82 per child or person with disabilities. Prices have increased dramatically since the war began, making the problem more acute.
Added to this, there are still millions of people living in the war zones, and the infrastructure has almost been totally destroyed so that people do not have electricity, no running water, no natural gas for heating and cooking. For people living in high-rise apartments, they must climb many flights of stairs to get to their apartments. In many places access to the Internet is impossible, either because the capabilities of the providers have been destroyed or because the Russians are jamming the Internet.
With winter coming on, things will become more and more severe. Overnight low temperatures at this time of year are around 40. Without heat in the home, this becomes very uncomfortable. In another month the temperature will drop below freezing. Please continue to pray for victory in Ukraine and a quick end to this senseless war.
Reports from our loved ones in Ukraine continue to show the mercies of God day after day. Our men in the military have all been spared, even though they face constant danger. Our church members, most of whom have been displaced, continue to minister where they are. Pray that many will be brought to faith in Christ through the clear presentation of the gospel. Our heart is still in Ukraine, and we hope and pray that we will soon be able to return.
In the time that we have been out of Ukraine we have had many opportunities, traveling through 20 states and speaking in more than 30 churches. We have been very encouraged to see enthusiasm for sound Bible teaching and more emphasis on evangelism. Several churches we visited are seeing significant growth. We also had the joy of visiting many old friends and making lots of new ones.
Phyllis has written a short booklet about survivors of tragedy, titled “Why Me?” It gives reasons why God would keep a person alive while others have died. The intent is to orient believers to the fact that God has a plan for them and to get unbelievers to consider that God has kept them alive so that they have opportunity to receive eternal life through faith in Christ. The hope is that this will be an evangelistic tool as well as an encouragement for believers to get into a Bible-teaching church. If you would like to read this book, please click here to download it.
We are very excited about the journey we are beginning on October 7th. We will fly to Poland where I will be teaching for six nights. After that we will go to Ukraine for a week where we will be able to see many of our loved ones and to teach the Word of God. After that we will fly to Zambia for two weeks of teaching in three different cities. When we finish there we are going to South Africa to spend a few days of relaxation with Tom and Cheryl Molinar who have been long-time missionaries there.
We are so blessed to be able to continue ministry in spite of the interruption of war. We give thanks to our heavenly Father for His grace in giving us health and strength and the resources to carry on. We thank you also for your effective fervent prayers, your encouragement, and your support.
By grace alone,
Jim
P.S. I thought you might like to see a list of churches we have visited since March of this year.
- Berachah Church – R.B. Thieme, III
- West Houston Bible Church – Robby Dean
- Chafer Seminary Conference
- Sugar Land Bible Church – Andy Woods
- Bethel Independent Presbyterian Church, Houston – Frank Jones
- Yerevan -- conference
- Grace Bible Church, Houston – David Dunn
- Pine Valley Bible Church, Houston – Bruce Bumgardner
- Red River Cowboy Church –Novice Northington
- Free Grace Church – John Brummet
- Fredericksburg Bible Church – Alex Garcia
- Cornerstone Bible Church – Steve Spurlin
- Spokane Bible Church – Jeremy Thomas
- Deary Bible Church – Jared Donigian
- Columbia Bible Church – Jonathan Smith
- Grace Bible Church – Brookings, OR – Virgil Frazier
- Manning Bible Church – Brad Congdon
- Portland Bible Church – Gary Glenney
- Bible Doctrine Church of Portland – video church – Bobby Thieme
- Life Bible Church – Paul Breckel
- Rome Bible Church – Jonathan Lee
- Meeting with pastors: John Eichman, Tanny Sisson, Jesse Acosta, Brad Congdon, Gary Glenney
- Grace Redeemer Bible Church – Andy Stacey
- Tacoma Grace Bible Church – E Dane Rogers
- Evergreen Baptist – Darren Kraus
- Country Bible Church – Mike Smith
- Tullahoma Bible Church – Clay Ward
- National Capital Bible Church – Dan Inghram
- Ed Mushka -- NJ
- Preston City Bible Church – David Roseland
- Russian Church – Greg Allen, University Park, PA
- Emmanuel Baptist Church, Starkville, MS -- Everett McKibben
- Yerevan, Armenia
September 13, 2022 News Update
12 September 2022
Dear Friends,
There is good news about the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces have taken back a very large territory that had been under Russian control in eastern Ukraine. This has also resulted in thousands of Russian troops being taken prisoner – so many that the Ukrainian government has said that the number is so great that they don’t know where to put them all. In addition, it is reported that a large amount of Russian ammunition and a great number of military vehicles have been captured. The sad news is that a multitude of atrocities committed by Russian troops is also being uncovered in these liberated areas. Evidence of rape, torture and extreme brutality is undeniable.
While the victories of the past several days are significant, the fighting still continues, especially in the south. Missile and artillery barrages are constant and the senseless destruction of civilian targets continues. Many of the cities in that area are without water and power. There is much suffering. One of our soldiers reported that his unit has been able to go to a house at night to sleep. The house has no power and is very cold. He said that he awoke last night by something around his feet. When he turned on his flashlight he saw a rat nibbling on his socks. He said that with so few people in the area that the rodents are proliferating. He requested a dozen rat traps! That’s the first time I have heard of that in a soldier’s kit.
The Ukrainian soldiers that we know personally are all conducting themselves with great courage and honor. One man is piloting drones not far from the front. Another is an artillery commander. One man has been put in charge of a HIMARS unit. Their faith in God and in His plan for their lives gives them boldness and the determination to carry on in spite of extreme weariness, danger, and deprivations. They fight to protect their homeland, their wives and children. Please do not fail to pray for these brave warriors every day. There is no end in sight, but we have hope. Pray for victory in Ukraine, that peace might be found throughout that wonderful land.
In spite of the horrors of war, God’s grace is still to be seen. Believers are continuing to grow in their faith and there are many evangelistic efforts that are being launched among the soldiers and the refugees. Word of God Church continues to meet on Sundays, and this is also live-streamed to our displaced people throughout Ukraine and in several foreign countries. The church also meets online twice a day for prayer. It is wonderful that in spite of being widely dispersed we can still see one another and talk with one another, and pray together. I received a message today which said, “thank you for preparing us for this time. You didn’t know what we would face, but your Bible teaching makes it possible for us to understand what is happening and what we need to do in these circumstances.”
More good news: I am scheduled to teach a Bible conference for several churches in a small city close to Auschwitz in Poland next month. This will also be a wonderful opportunity to see some of our people who are now living in Poland. We also are planning to go into western Ukraine for a few days to encourage the church there. If it is possible, we also hope to make a trip to Zambia in November. We haven’t been able to go there for a couple of years, so we are really looking forward to returning.
We have been very busy here in the US. We have traveled to or through 20 different states, speaking in 30 different places. I also have 8 more dates on my calendar in September. We praise the Lord for His sustaining grace in giving us the health and strength to be able to do this. We know also that this is surely because you have prayed for us. Our Father has been pleased to hear and answer your prayers. Thank you for your encouragement and support. May the Lord be glorified in all of it.
By grace alone,
Jim
July 25, 2022 News Update
25 July 2022
Dear Friends,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said yesterday that Moscow’s overarching goal is to topple the government of Ukrainian President Zelensky as Russian forces continue to pummel Ukraine with artillery barrages and airstrikes. He said that Moscow is determined to help Ukrainians “liberate themselves from the burden of this absolutely unacceptable regime.” “We will certainly help Ukrainian people to get rid of the regime, which is absolutely anti-people and anti-historical,” he said. This is pure propaganda. The Ukrainian people are certainly not being oppressed by the Zelensky government. My question would be, if Zelensky agreed to step down, would the Russians withdraw their troops and allow Ukraine to determine its own future? I doubt it.
The Russians agreed to allow Ukraine to resume exporting its massive grain exports, but then immediately began shelling the ports from which the grain would be shipped. You can't rely on the Russians to keep any of their promises. The Ukrainian forces continue to fight to defend their homeland. They have been courageous and relentless in their struggle for freedom. More than ten million Ukrainians have been displaced because of this war. Thousands have been killed, more have been wounded. The destruction of cities has been incredible.
Pray for Ukraine! Pray for victory, pray for peace, pray that the Lord will preserve this nation. Pray that God will be glorified through His people who are using this conflict as a platform for evangelism and Bible teaching, both at home and in the surrounding nations.
Here is a recent letter from Pastor Oleg in Kyiv:
We have no changes in our church life here. We have prayer meeting twice a day and Bible study twice a week, as well as Sunday morning service. The church meets in person for those who are still in the city, and online for the rest.
Luda is doing ministries in Warsaw serving Ukrainians. They did two camps for kids there. In addition to that, they ministered to the mothers afterward. She has very good ministry there. Lusya is in Czech Republic. She has started a ministry for a kids at her dormitory.
Olga, Lusya's sister is in Czceh Republic too, but in an another city. Their husbands are in Ukraine. Uliana had an incident at her school where she teaches. She fell and hurt her face which has left some scars, causing her distress.
Katya is in Germany looking for a job. Her husband, Kostya, is at home in Ukraine. He is working with the youth in their home city and keeps building a house. Ira has stayed in Ukraine with her husband. He is looking for work and Ira is doing some ministry for women.
Maxim, who was wounded in battle is back with his unit in the East. He was doing fine, but for the last ten days we haven't heard from him.
Vova had a concussion. He lost his ability to hear and see in his left eye and ear. He was at the hospital for two days and then they sent him back to his position. His condition is a little better but he hasn't recovered yet.
Denis recently met another man from Poland who was Paul Miles' student at the Word of Life college. That man said that Paul recommended that he listen to the courses from our Bible College, which he did. Now this man and another former student of the Word of Life college, who is pastor of a church, plan to start a Bible school at their location. They invited Denis to help them. I don't know any details yet but I will keep you informed about it.
Zhenya, pastor from Baryshivka has started a meeting for pastors, so we have a meeting on Monday, once a week just for fellowship and prayers.
Phyllis and I are back from our six-week trip to Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, where we visited 15 churches. It was a wonderful time to renew acquaintances and to also meet some pastors from churches that were new to us. It is so encouraging to know that there are men who are faithful in teaching sound doctrine and presenting a free-grace gospel. We also had the joy of spending a little time with Bible college graduates Robert and Elvira Bolender who are now living in Bellingham, WA.
We leave later this week for a journey to the east, going to Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Connecticut. So we will be on the road until Labor Day. But we will keep you updated as we get news from Ukraine. We are so thankful for your prayers, your encouragement, your support.
All by grace,
Jim
July 10, 2022 News Update
10 July 2022
Dear Friends,
The war in Ukraine continues and people are being killed every day, both soldiers and civilians. But our merciful God has spared all of our loved ones to this point. I have no doubt that this is because of your fervent and faithful intercession for them. Thank you for that. Please don’t stop.
The good news is that the Lord continues to use the war to further His own purposes of bringing people to salvation and the build up the saints. Below are excerpts from recent letters
From Oleg, pastor of Word of God Church in Kyiv:
I talked with Andrey, pastor from Dnipro, this afternoon. He is fine, his family is about to come back to Ukraine. They have a lot of ministry to the needy and they do an evangelism with them. Lusya Ustinova started a Bible class for unbeliever kids. All the others from our church are still at the same places as before. Vova and his soldiers are all alive. His car was damaged by Russians twice. Right now it is in a car repair shop.
As for the church we are still having online prayer meetings twice a day and Bible study twice a week, and we have Sunday morning services. As for the war we expect a new attack from the north. The threat is real. Of course, our forces this time are better prepared. But we depend on the Lord’s protection.
From Luda in Poland:
I am grateful for your prayers because they have been supporting me all this time. During the past month I have been involved in ministry a lot. I met with many people, had many conversations, and served at a children’s camp. God is faithful and provides everything I need for my ministry, even when I run out of strength.
Next week there will be another camp near Warsaw. There at a place that provides lodging for about 200 Ukrainian refugees we will have a camp. A sports team from Ukraine will be leading them and we will be helping them. Please pray for opportunities to share the gospel with children and adults personally, and also for the physical and spiritual strength I will need for this work.
Thank you for your prayers and support! Seeing God work here is a blessing and a big encouragement for me. It helps me understand His power and greatness better. Of course, war is evil, but because of it so many people reexamine their life and look for hope in God. This is not just my ministry, but yours also! You are here with me through your prayers and gifts, and I am very grateful for that. Please let me know how I can pray for you.
From Dennis in Poland:
We are fine now in Poland, waiting until we can receive documents to legally live and work here. We decided not to return to Belarus for now because of the military, because I would have to fight against Ukraine.
Our church here is called the “Church of Free Christians.” We are small, but I am using the knowledge that I acquired in college as I preach in the church. Whenever possible I listen online to lectures from the college. I also try to prepare lessons in writing for our people.
My wife and I pray that the Lord will use us. We know that it is not the temporary earthly, but the eternal heavenly things that are important, and we want to live like this. For now we are doing what we can. The college has become an invaluable treasure for the beginning of our ministry for Christ. Thank you for that.
From Jim in the USA:
Phyllis and I are still on the road in the Pacific Northwest, with a really packed schedule for the next 10 days before we fly back to Houston. We give thanks to God the Father for His abundant provision and daily mercies for us. We praise Him for the grace given to us through your prayers, encouragement, and support.
Only by grace,
Jim
June 8, 2022 News Update
8 June 2022
Dear Friends,
The bloody war in Ukraine continues unabated. Tens of thousands have died, and the toll rises every day. Yet, we know that in spite of this, God has a plan for every individual. The time of death and the manner of death are in the hands of the sovereign God who created us for His own purposes. When God’s time for your life to end arrives, nothing can keep you alive. On the other hand, until it is God’s time for you to die, nothing can take you out of this life. This has been beautifully exemplified in the life of Yuri, one of our college graduates who is now serving in the Ukrainian military. His unit of almost 1,000 soldiers came under heavy bombardment and enemy fire. Only 50 men in his company were unscathed; the rest were wounded or killed. The Lord preserved Yuri. He is a faithful witness and evangelist to those around him.
Several men from our church and Bible college are fighting for the freedom of Ukraine. To this point, through the mercies of God which are new every morning, not one of them has been killed. One man, Maxim, was wounded in the leg, but not seriously. He will soon be returning to the front lines. Please continue to pray for these men, along with Anatoly, Vova, Ivan, and Vasily.
The church members who have been scattered because of the war continue to find opportunities to minister where they are. With several million Ukrainians now in Poland, Romania, Moldova, and other countries, they need evangelists, Bible teachers, and pastors who can minister to them in their own language. God foresaw this need and prepared men and women through Word of God College. Denis, now in southern Poland, didn’t have to go looking for a church to pastor, it just appeared. Hundreds of Ukrainians in that city wanted a church home. They visited a Polish church, but they couldn’t understand the language, and there was no pastor-teacher who could help them. Denis walked into the church and found a congregation. God provides for those who want His provision.
Word of God Church continues to meet as a body on Sundays, with the small group left in the city. But through the Internet they have a growing congregation. But they also have a twice daily prayer meeting online – morning and evening they sign in and join together in prayer. This is being serious in prayer, just as Peter exhorted us to be. They also have online Bible study two times a week. This is the fruit of their having learned the Word of God. You can’t wait until the crisis comes to get serious about the spiritual life.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Phyllis and I will be traveling for the next couple of months, going to the Pacific Northwest. If you are in the area, we would love to meet you.
2022 – Summer NW
If you are in the area and would like to see us, we will be at the following locations.
Spokane WA: June 12, Sunday, Spokane Bible Church, 9419 North Five Mile Road, Sunday School 9:30, Morning service 10:45, contact person: Ron Kellam, 509-276-3386
Deary, ID: June 13 -16, Tuesday – Thursday evenings, 7:00 to 9:00, Disciple Making Conference, Deary Community Bible Church, 4981 ID-8, Contact person: Pastor Jared Donigian, 208-669-0869
Kennewick, WA, June 20, Sunday, Columbia Bible Church, 202 South Van Buren, Phone: (509) 783-9093 Sunday service 10:00AM
Brookings, Oregon, June 22, Wednesday, 6:00 PM, Grace Bible Church, 302 Hazel St, Brookings, OR. Contact person: Cam Lynn 541-661-9510,
Portland, Oregon, June 24, Friday, Bible Doctrine Church of Portland, contact person: RD Fortner, 503-9278754
Banks, Oregon, June 26, Sunday, Manning Bible Church, 47200 NW Sell Rd., Sunday service, Contact person: Ron Stark, 503-309-7495
Lake Stevens, WA: July 3, Sunday, Life Bible Church, Grange Hall, 2109 103rd SE, Sunday 9:00 Missionary report, 10:45 Bible lesson. Contact person: Pastor Paul Breckel, 425-345-8825
Bellingham, WA: July 10, Sunday, Rome Community Bible Church, 2720 Mt. Baker Hwy, Missionary report. Contact person: Robert Bolender, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Olympia, WA: July 12, Tuesday, Grace Redeemer Bible Church Grange Hall, 6011 Black Lake Blvd., Tuesday PM 7:00 PM, Contact person: Andy Stacy 360-556-7109
Shoreline, WA: July 24, Sunday, Evergreen Baptist Church, 19010 5th Ave NW, Sunday 10:30 AM, Church phone: 206-362-2575.
All by grace,
Jim
May 20, 2022 News Update
20 May 2022
Dear Friends,
The war continues. Missiles continue to rain down in almost every region of Ukraine. According to Radio Free Europe the last Ukrainian soldiers holed up in Mariupol's Azovstal Steelworks say they were "ordered" by Kyiv to stop fighting as Russia intensifies its assault on eastern Ukraine, relentlessly pounding the Donbas region that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says now resembles "hell."
After more than 12 weeks of fighting since Moscow launched its invasion, Ukrainian authorities said that "massive" artillery barrages by Russian forces continued to target civilian infrastructure, including residential districts.
Ostensibly the order to surrender was given to save the lives of the soldiers. This comes after a three-month siege that completely devastated the city and killed thousands of civilians. Almost 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers who valiantly defended the sprawling Azovstal steel plant have surrendered.
According to the Red Cross, those who surrendered are registered as prisoners of war and should be treated accordingly. They will be transported to Russian controlled areas and put into concentration camps, where, according to reports, the conditions are horrible beyond description. It is said that people are being tortured and starved in violation of Geneva Convention rules.
The military town of Desna, about one and a half hours drive north of Kyiv and 40 miles south of the Belarusian border has been the target of many Russian missiles, killing civilians and soldiers alike. This city has a church pastored by one of my former students from Ukraine Bible Institute. Pray for the continued ministry of this church and the protection of the Christians there.
Vova is one of our church members recently deployed to eastern Ukraine where the fighting is fierce. Pray for his protection and for his witness to the men with whom he is serving. Pray for Vasily, Ivan, Anatoly, and Yuri who are also active military.
We hear wonderful reports of the spread of the gospel among the armed forces and continuing Bible studies among soldiers and refugees. Of course our prayers are for an end to this horrible conflict so that there might be peace in the land. But even more our prayer is the Lord will be glorified through His people as they exhibit faith and focus on pleasing Him in every circumstance.
We may complain about many things in America, but our conditions pale in significance as we think of millions who have been driven from their homes, who have left behind family and all material things. Gas prices are high, but I received a letter yesterday saying that after a 5 hour wait at the gas station he was only allowed to purchase 2 gallons of gas. Many places have no gas at all. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
All by grace,
Jim
May 13, 2022 News Update
13 May 2022
Dear Friends,
We have been in Yerevan, Armenia for the past two weeks. I have been teaching a course for the International Baptist Bible College, founded by Dr. Ron Minton. The topic was Man, Sin, and Salvation. One of my favorite courses to teach is soteriology with all of the doctrines associated with the gospel, including redemption, imputation, justification, regeneration, reconciliation, sanctification, faith, security, and assurance. It is exciting to watch as people learn these truths and see how they are all related to the grace of God, brought to us through the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross for all sins. Shackles were broken as they learned the gospel of grace, which excludes all human works such as feeling sorry for sins, praying a sinner’s prayer, inviting Christ into the heart, or giving the life to Christ.
While we have been in Yerevan, there have been daily demonstrations with thousands of people protesting current policies of the government and calling for the resignation of their prime minister. This has to do with an old conflict with Azerbaijan and ownership of territory. And so it goes. There is no peace in this Christ-rejecting world. Man by man’s efforts cannot solve man’s problems because of the ever-present sin nature which keeps on seeking to gratify its lust for power, material wealth, status, etc. It is so liberating to learn the secret to contentment as the Apostle Paul expressed in Philippians 4:11–13, 19:
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ….19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
This same attitude is being expressed by our people in Ukraine, people who have been driven from their homes, having left their worldly possessions behind. They have exhibited great faith as they cast their burdens on the Lord and know that He has promised to never leave nor forsake them, but will provide their needs. The Lord has been so merciful in keeping all of our loved ones safe. Not one has been killed or injured, including our men in the military — Vova, Ivan, Eddick, Yuri, and Anatoly.
Others from the church who have been scattered to western Ukraine or other countries where they have refuge are finding ample opportunities for ministry among the millions of refugees from Ukraine. They are giving the gospel, encouraging the weak, teaching, and praying. Indeed, they are redeeming the time.
It appears that the war in Ukraine is not headline news in America any longer, having been superseded by politics and economic problems. But the conflict continues, and the future of the nation of Ukraine is in jeopardy. Please continue to pray for a quick conclusion with withdrawal of the enemy and victory for Ukraine that they may have peace. Pray for continued protection and provision for our people who are still in Ukraine, who are continuing to minister in churches, shining as lights in the midst of darkness.
Thank you for standing with us and our loved ones in Ukraine. We are so grateful for your support, your encouragement, your prayers.
Jim
April 28, 2022 News Update
28 April 2022
Dear Friends,
The war continues. Even though the media coverage in America has diminished in recent days, the fighting has not. Please do not diminish your prayers. Reports are that the Russians have taken thousands of civilians as prisoners, perhaps to use for prisoner exchanges or for propaganda displays on May 9. Also, thousands of children have been taken to Russia, being separated from their families. The purpose behind this has yet to be realized.
The good news is that many people are hearing the gospel. Our church members and our college graduates are faithful in ministry. Below is a photo of a Bible study being led by Kostya Grinyuk, [bottom right] who along with his wife Katya graduated from the college a couple of years ago.
Working with them are Sasha and Ira Kudlayev, also Bible college graduates. Please put these couples on your prayer list. They live in a town just south of Kyiv.
Kostya Grinyuk (far right) leading a Bible Study
We hear accounts of prayer meetings and Bible studies in other countries also where our people have gone. Dennis Shamrov and his wife Albina have been able to get documents which allow them to live and work in Poland. A large number of Ukrainians have come to the church where they have been attending. Since these refugees don’t speak Polish, they need someone who can speak their language. So the pastor of the church has asked Dennis to teach them. The Word of God is available to those who want to hear. God has supplied a man who is a very capable Bible teacher.
Igor Smolyar, a college graduate who pastors in Zhitomir, has been involved in ministering to people who have been bombed out of their homes. He went to the front lines last weekend to preach the gospel to the military and others in the war zone. He found audiences who are ready and willing to listen to a message of eternal life. Pray that many will come to faith in Christ. The enemy means to use this war for evil, but God can take all things and make them work together for good.
I have received a number of letters from people who are concerned about things they have read on the internet that Ukraine is rife with corruption and anti-Semitism. Their reaction is that America should have nothing to do with Ukraine. Is there corruption? Of course, just as there is in America. But the Ukrainians don’t want corruption, and they certainly are not fighting to preserve it. They have been attacked and invaded without provocation. They deserve our prayers and our support. Of the many European countries I have been in, Ukraine is the most open to the gospel. We have been seeing great advances in biblical Christianity throughout Ukraine.
The question about anti-Semitism is serious. I have lived in Ukraine for 26 years. I have taught in Messianic Jewish churches, I have visited numerous Jewish organizations and have met their leaders. They will tell you that Ukraine as a nation is not anti-Semitic. One of our Bible college graduates taught Hebrew to Ukrainian Jews at a Jewish community center in Kyiv for several years. She just recently said that there is no policy of anti-Semitism in Ukraine, nor is there any policy of toleration for anti-Semitic acts. In fact, there are laws that forbid anti-Semitism.
Here is an excerpt from a recent article that addresses the issue:
KIEV — A leading Ukrainian rabbi said on Wednesday he saw no sign of hostility toward Jews from nationalists but was cautious on whether there could be a rise in anti-Semitic threats.
Russia brands some groups that helped to oust President Viktor Yanukovych as neo-Nazis, highlighting their admiration for Ukrainians who fought against the Red Army in World War II as one of the reasons for Moscow's takeover of the majority Russian-speaking Crimea.
But Moshe Reuven Azman, a senior rabbi in the capital Kiev, told a news conference he was not aware of new anti-Semitic acts since Yanukovych's fall [in 2014] and had not heard anti-Jewish statements from leaders of far-right parties. He cautioned against speculation on the issue being "exploited" for political ends. "There's no big, general Ukrainian problem," Azman said.
One pastor recently wrote and said:
The Ukrainian people are not fighting to maintain corruption or to fulfill the ambitions of the World Economic Forum, they are fighting for their liberty, their homes, their families, their land, their livelihood. All of this other stuff [anti-Semitism, etc.] is just clutter and irrelevant to the main issue.
Phyllis and I are leaving today (Apr 29) for Armenia where I will be teaching a Bible college course on “Man, Sin and Salvation.” Please remember to pray for us as we travel and seek to minister the Word in the city of Yerevan.
We are grateful for all the support we have received to help the Ukrainian people. We are distributing funds, clothing and other items to our people in Ukraine and in the other countries where they have become refugees. Thank you.
All by grace,
Jim
April 20, 2022 News Update
20 April 2022
Dear Friends,
Below is a letter from Vasily Munko (nickname Vasya). He was one of the first graduates of our Bible College in Kyiv and has been a pastor in Lviv for more than 15 years. He is a faithful servant of the Lord and a very capable Bible teacher. He has been working tirelessly since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, housing 8 refugees in his home on a permanent basis, putting up a couple dozen people at the church every night, feeding them and providing transportation to the border. He is one of several people who we are supporting financially who are using that to provide support for the refugees.
Hello Mr Myers. Thank you very much for your prayers and financial support.
Yes, our enemy has resumed missile attacks on Lviv. Unfortunately, eight people died as a result of this. We are all right, thank God for that. We continue to serve the refugees as before. But besides this, I help financially different refugee families in different places in Ukraine.
I have attached some photos to the letter. In photo 1, the family of Sergei and Oksana who were forced to leave Kyiv. In the photo is Oksana, their youngest son Sasha and their daughter Ira. Sergei and their eldest son Andrei remained in Kyiv. They fought for the city in the ranks of the army, and now they are fighting for our country. Pray for this family, Oksana is a believer, but the rest have not yet been reconciled with the Lord
Photo 1: The family of Sergei and Oksana
In photo 2, the family of Yura and Lena and Lena's mother, Galya. This is a believing family that was also forced to leave Kyiv. Yura once worked in an orphanage. There he and his wife adopted two children. Because of the war, Lena and Yura were left without work.
Photo 2: The family of Yura and Lena and Lena's mother, Galya
In photo 3, Vitali, Olya and their daughter Vitalina. I met this family in the Kherson region in September 2019 when we held a seminar on the letter to the Galatians. In 2014, they were forced to flee the Donetsk region, when Russian troops invaded. They started a new life in the Kherson region, but now they were forced to flee again. And for the second time they were left with nothing. Vitalik himself wrote to me and asked for help....
Unfortunately, not everyone managed to escape from the occupied Kherson regions and some Christians who attended our seminar became hostages of enemy forces. They especially need our prayers.
Here is the message received from them: “We have worse than hell here, Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol are all the same here as Russians purposefully destroy the population. Almost 20 shells flew into our homes, but we miraculously survived. It is impossible to leave, the light and gas have been turned off for more than a month. No food. There is no medicine. No connection. There is no hope of deliverance. The village is under continuous shelling. There are no places left for people to hide from the shelling.”
Please pray for these people and for pastor Sasha, who is with them in these difficult times ....
Photo 3: Vitali, Olya and their daughter Vitalina
In photo 4 is Maryana. This is a woman from our church. She is a journalist who has been constantly helping our soldiers since 2014. Now, because of the war, she has lost her job, and there is no one to help her except us. She lives alone. She is going through the war with great difficulty as she has already lost several of her military friends from Lviv. They gave their lives to protect us.
From Vasya
Photo 4: Maryana
The war is fierce and devastating, and in some places the situation is desperate for those under attack as they have little hope of surviving. Yet we know that God has a plan for each one, and He is able to do that which is beyond our ability to even imagine.
Please pray for victory in Ukraine, that God will deliver them from the enemy, and that peace may come to that land once again.
By grace alone,
Jim
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April 18, 2022 News Update
18 April 2022
Dear Friends,
The war in Ukraine has gone on for almost 8 weeks. Russian attacks in the north around Kyiv were repelled, but with much destruction and many deaths. When the Russian troops withdrew, there was a great reduction in the number of missiles and artillery being shot into that area. There were some strikes in the city of Kyiv over the weekend. We praise God that again our people have been spared.
On Easter Sunday Russian missiles targeted the city of Lviv in western Ukraine. This city has been relatively safe, and several million people have gone there, either to find a place to live or as the port city into Poland. The Russians would like to see that city destroyed because it is a major conduit for supplies from the west to enter Ukraine. As of now the most Russia can do is to bomb the city because they don’t have troops in that region to attack it. Many of our people are in Lviv and its environs. Please be in prayer for Vasily Munko, pastor of Grace Bible Church and Misha Grishenko, pastor of Greater Grace Church in Lviv. Luda Ugrimova is in a nearby town. These are heroes of faith, in my opinion, for their ministry among the refugees.
We just received a text from Ukraine saying they think that the war in the Donbas region is about to be a full-scale invasion. The big city of Kharkiv has been under constant bombardment since the beginning, but apparently the attacks are about to intensify. There are several cities in that area where I have taught in the past. Pray for the believers there that the biblical truths they learned will sustain them, that their faith will be a great testimony to the grace of God, and that they will redeem the time by spreading the gospel.
Word of God Church met on Resurrection Day for worship and praise to Almighty God who raised His Son from the dead in a powerful acclamation that He has accepted the work of Christ on the cross as the payment for all sins. What a great God! What a wonderful savior!
Pray also for Sasha Petrenko and his wife Ira who live in the Chernigiv area. This city was also devastated by missiles and Russian troops. Sasha sent some photos. What do you do if your church building is destroyed? Preach in the open air.
Sasha and Ira ministering to the troops, providing food and clothing along with spiritual food:
Sasha providing some essentials to a man who has lost everything.
We are so grateful for all of you who are supporting our ministry. Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement.
All by grace,
Jim
April 10, 2022 News Update
10 April 2022
Dear Friends,
Phyllis and I are on the road again, speaking in churches. If you would like to see a recent report that I gave, click on this link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHeimPVZds
Some people have asked me if there are websites they can go to for good assessments of thee current situation in Ukraine. Here a few that you check out:
I have had a few people make comments along the way about the corruption of the Ukrainian people, indicating that in their opinion we should not be helping them or promoting them because they are just as bad as the Russians. Others have expressed their idea that the Ukrainians and Russians are both the same and that what is happening is just like the Civil War between the north and the south in this country, and that we should just let them fight it out.
I find this wrong on so many levels. And because I have been confronted with this several times, I would surmise that this idea is coming from some common source, namely, the main-stream media. I will excerpt portions of a recent letter written by Dr. Robby Dean in response to comments made on a recent interview program:
First, the Ukrainian people are more united in their patriotism then ever before. I have read of estimates up to 400,000 Ukrainian ex-pat males who have returned to Ukraine to fight for their homes, families, and the future of Ukraine.
Second, they are not fighting to defend a corrupt government or corruption in general. Ukraine is well known for the level of corruption there, but so now is the United States, as well as Nigeria, Brazil, China, Syria, Jordan, the Philippines and a host of other nations in the world. Corruption is endemic today.
Ukraine was viciously attacked with no provocation on Feb 24. The claim that the Ukrainians are at fault because they wanted to be aligned with NATO is delusion… Blame the rape victim, not the rapist, is the same mentality. Putin has been trying to dominate Ukraine and Ukraine politics for a couple of decades
But ... it has been clear that the Ukrainian people do not want corruption, they do not want to be under the authority of Moscow, they hate the Russians with a historic hatred that goes back centuries. Ukrainians have their own language, culture, music, and government and they do not want to be governed by Russia. The vast majority are freedom loving.
Ukraine has the highest level of religious freedom of any nation in the Western world. Over the last 25 years tens if not hundreds of thousands have been saved. Numerous solid grace-gospel ministries have been planted ….
The Ukrainians are fighting and dying for freedom. They are seeking to destroy the barbaric Russians who are raping, torturing, beheading the Ukrainian civilian population and seeking to erase the Ukrainian people from the face of the earth.
To say that we Americans should not pray for victory in Ukraine because they have a corrupt government is ludicrous. If America comes under attack should we refuse to fight for freedom because we have a corrupt government?
Of course not all Russians are “bad” people. There are many who are decent, moral, law-abiding people who are hard working and honest. But when I see the unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the senseless bombing of homes, churches, hospitals, and refugee centers in Ukraine, the horrific murders, brutal rapes, and the pillaging of homes, I believe it is altogether right for us to pray for victory over the invaders and for destruction of their army.
I beseech you, do not stop praying for the freedom of Ukraine, for peace in that land, and for those people we have come to love so dearly.
All by grace,
Jim
April 4, 2022 News Update
4 April 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Oh, how it breaks our hearts to watch the videos of the barbaric butchery of people in Bucha, a city just to the north of Kyiv. It is adjacent to Irpin. This was one of the first cities occupied by the Russians when the war began. There has been extensive destruction of buildings, homes, and infrastructure there. But even worse is the slaughter of hundreds of people and reports of rape of many women and even little girls. Evil without restraints! Hundreds dead, buried in mass graves, unknown but to God.
I thought about inserting a link showing graphic photos of some who were killed, hands tied behind their backs and then executed. But you may have seen videos on the news and you don’t need to see more. I had a conversation a number of years ago with the American ambassador to Georgia. He told me that when the Russians left after invading that country in 2008, they raped and pillaged with wanton disregard for the senseless brutality. The pattern repeats itself in Ukraine.
But, the good news is that the Ukrainian forces have driven the Russian forces out of that area. However, the Russians have left many booby traps and land mines, some of which are in playgrounds, entrances to apartment buildings, and even some under dead bodies. So it will take some time to clear the area of danger. We have church members from both Bucha and Irpin who, while themselves are safe, have suffered loss from the bombing.
Word of God Church continues to minister to the congregation. The few who are still in Kyiv met yesterday for a worship service while most of the others were able to join online from safe havens in western Ukraine and from several foreign countries. The Word of God is not bound. We continue to have daily prayer meetings online and weekly Bible studies as well. Below is a photo of the church service, with Pastor Oleg teaching the Word. The man in the foreground is Vova, Oleg’s brother. He is with the territorial defense unit and will be deployed to the east this week. Pray for him and our other men who are defending their nation by serving in the military.
We receive reports from our people in Ukraine and Poland who are using this time as ambassadors for Christ, preaching the gospel and ministering to refugees, demonstrating the love of God and their steadfast faith based on the assurance that comes from knowledge of the Word of God.
The war continues, but let it not become old news and something to be disregarded because it is far away. May it serve as a warning of what may come to our shores in the future. May it spur us to make spiritual preparation now so that we will also be able to persevere in our faith when the time of severe testing comes to us.
God has a purpose for us and His plan is moving forward. Will we fulfill His purpose or will we be casualties in the spiritual conflict? Thank you for praying. Thank you for your notes of encouragement and support.
Psalm 37:35-40,
“35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”
Stand fast,
Jim
April 1, 2022 News Update
1 April 2022
Dear Servants of the Most High God,
Psalm 144:3, “LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?”
We are so pitiful, so insignificant, and yet we can approach the very God of the universe. In this verse David expresses his amazement that God knows us. The word “man” occurs two times in the this verse. The first time it is the generic word for a person, a member of the human race. God knows the individual human. The second time the word “man” is used is a different word, emphasizing the frailty of man. In spite of this, God is “mindful of him," that is to say, God has a plan for him. Think of it! And because of this I can bring my petitions, my supplications, my heart’s desire to the Lord.
I had a marvelous time today teaching an online Bible class to our Ukrainian Christians. The class lasted almost two hours because of the Q&A session that followed the lesson on Psalm 144.
Question: what if Russian Christians are praying for victory?
My family in Russia tells me that we should just give up and submit. What do I tell them?
I am from Belarus and my family wants me to fight against Ukraine.
The last two questions were prefaced by remarks that their families have been bombarded with constant propaganda from the Russian media which paints Ukraine as the aggressor, the evil nation that desires to commit genocide against the Russian people. Ah, the media. What a powerful force – for good or for ill.
Psalm 144:11, “Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood--”
They say one thing but do another. They speak peace and then bomb your houses. They speak of cease fire while increasing their missile attacks.
It is good news that the Russian forces are withdrawing from the Kyiv region. But they continue to point their missiles at the city. Even though they have left Irpin, just to the north of Kyiv, they leave behind destruction, and they have also left behind land mines which can kill and injure anyone who might step on them—children in playgrounds, entrances to businesses.
Irpin Bible Seminary – After and Before
I have a new prayer request. The report today is that Americans in Russia are now being sought out and detained. Those who have made it to the Russian border are being taken into custody. Why? They have done nothing illegal and the US is not at war with Russia. Also, the Americans in Russia are in a tight spot because they have no access to their bank accounts and cannot use their credit cards because of sanctions against Russia. I ask you to pray for Steve, a long time missionary in Russia. There are others, too.
Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, your support.
By grace alone,
Jim