March 24, 2026- Spotlight on the Church in Cherkasy
Cherkasy is a peaceful city in central Ukraine, located on the Dnipro River, about 190 km (2 hours or 120 miles) from Kyiv. Before the war, around 270,000 people lived here. Life was fairly calm and stable. The church lived in a regular rhythm: worship services, Bible study groups, and various gatherings. We placed a strong emphasis on studying God’s Word and growing spiritually as a community.
When the war began, everything about life and ministry changed dramatically. Many practical needs have arisen — helping internally displaced people, providing humanitarian aid, and caring for vulnerable groups, especially the elderly. We have begun to serve people in crisis much more. The church has become a place where people seek not only God, but also physical support and help. At the same time, we continue to be dedicated to the ministry of the Word — studying it together and drawing strength and hope from it.
Faith has become more real. Many things we once knew in theory, we now experience daily. We pray more and rely on God more. There is a deeper understanding that without Him, we can do nothing.
At the beginning, everything was very frightening. There was a lot of uncertainty — constant news reports of troop movements, the threat of invasion, and finally actual attacks. What sustained us was God’s Word, prayer, and the support of one another, along with the assurance that God is in control even of this.
Despite everything, there are still positives. Things that once seemed reliable now look very different through the lens of war — we see more clearly how temporary and fragile many things are. At the same time, for the church, this has been a season of refinement: God is shaping and changing us through these circumstances. We have come to value simple things, fellowship, and the presence of one another much more.
When we think back to what could have been, to if Ukraine had been captured by russia in three days as the world predicted, we are only thankful. Such an outcome would have meant serious restrictions for the church and for people in general — less freedom, pressure on believers, and in some cases even persecution and threats to life. Sadly, we already see similar realities in occupied territories.
While we always pray for peace and for the end of the war, we also ask that in all these circumstances, we would continue to trust firmly in God. As it says in Habakkuk 3:17–18, no matter what happens, rejoice in the God of our salvation. It means a lot to us when others join in this prayer.
We see prayer as a privilege and opportunity to uphold one another, especially in difficult times like war. We are part of one Body of Christ, and when one part goes through hardship, others can support it in prayer. Your prayers for us are not just a formality, but a real participation in God’s work here. They truly encourage us and remind us that we are not alone.
We also pray that one day we will be able to experience the great joy of meeting with you, who are praying for us, face to face, and thank you for supporting us throughout this time.
-Pastor Viktor Ovsianyk
