Just a few weeks after a bomb attack severely damaged a Baptist Church in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, members of the congregation are already carrying out repairs on their building.
Each week they refuse to allow this tragedy, that claimed the life of a local believer, to prevent them from worshiping together as they continue to gather for services each week on the grounds of their bombed out building.
VIDEO SCRIPT
On April 16 this year, a Baptist Church in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia was severely damaged following a targeted strike by Russian forces.
The attack almost completely destroyed the House of the Gospel church building. But the greatest loss was human. Claiming the life of local Christian Ruslan Utiuzh.
The pastor of the church Oleksandr Nahornyi recalls the moment they discovered Ruslan had been killed..
One man Ruslan Utiuzh was just leaving the House of Prayer. At that exact moment the attack happened. So unfortunately he was right at the epicenter of this massive explosion. The hardest part of all was the sudden death of a person, the tragic death of Ruslan. We all knew him. It was absolutely the most unexpected for every single one of us.
Despite the tragedy local leaders from many different denominations including Baptists, Pentecostals, and Orthodox gathered in solidarity at the church to pray together and called on the international Christian community to take action.
I am calling on you today that every Christian who sincerely believes and confesses Jesus Christ to stand together in unity for the truth of God for faith in Jesus Christ for the divine protection and prosperous future of our country.
Since the war began it’s reported that at least 700 religious buildings have been either destroyed or severely damaged. Igor Bandura Vice President of the Baptist Union of Ukraine says these attacks by Russian forces are intentional:
Because Russia hates anything that has Ukrainian identity and especially they hate evangelicals because you know they love freedom.
The congregation is demonstrating that freedom by continuing to meet for services each week at the bombed out building and members are already helping to repair the damage to the church.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Oleksandr Nahornyi – Pastor The House of the Gospel Church
Igor Bandura – Vice President of the Baptist Union of Ukraine
Recording Location
Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
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EN