"True peace in Ukraine remains elusive without dispensing justice, hindering any meaningful reconciliation efforts"
In the face of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, European evangelical Christians are demonstrating unwavering support for Ukraine, focusing on humanitarian aid, spiritual encouragement, and public advocacy in line with the political stance of the Western allies, including the new U.S. government.
During a recent meeting with Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the significant contribution of evangelical churches to social and humanitarian aid for Ukrainian military personnel, civilians, and internally displaced people was highlighted. The churches are also playing a role in demining liberated territories and ensuring safety for communities and religious organizations in conflict zones. Prime Minister Shmyhal expressed gratitude for the solidarity and prayers from European evangelicals, underscoring Ukraine’s fight for both spiritual and national freedom.
European evangelical leaders are also urging allies worldwide to speak the truth about Ukraine’s struggle for dignity, freedom, and faith, resonating with the U.S. government's emphasis on supporting a sovereign Ukraine. This call for truthful communication and international advocacy aligns with calls for unequivocal U.S. support as a vital component for peace.
Amidst the war, Ukrainian evangelical churches continue their mission, providing frontline chaplaincy, care for widows and orphans, and witnessing revival despite hardship, signalling that their Gospel mission persists strongly despite the conflict.
Regarding efforts to mediate or build bridges with Russian Christians, the ongoing conflict and reports of severe repression of independent Protestant communities in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories have constrained ecumenical dialogue or bridge-building efforts between European and Russian evangelical Christians. Since 2014, Russian forces have oppressed Protestant churches by killing clergy, kidnapping pastors, and banning independent religious communities.
The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA), representing some 23 million evangelical Christians in European countries, has expressed its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago and has called to pray and support the victims. The EEA continues to be concerned about the situation in Ukraine and the developments on the geopolitical level.
Despite the challenges, the EEA continues to reach out to US Christians with love, and Jan Wessels, co-general secretary of the EEA, has stated that it is unfortunate that Ukraine and Europe are being excluded from peace talks. Wessels emphasizes that without justice, there will be no real peace, and it will be very hard to start a process of reconciliation.
The EEA is also actively addressing its own sustainability challenges through an ongoing #TogetherInThisMission campaign and is fostering close relationships with the World Evangelical Alliance and regional Evangelical Alliance secretaries. The EEA is building strong relationships with the Council of Evangelical Protestant Churches in Ukraine and is trying to keep in touch with Russian Christians, but it is a difficult situation as they are being perceived as just being against Russia and as a foreign agent.
There is a strong feeling among evangelicals that they have to accept being a minority and make it strong through proper Christian discipleship. The EEA is focusing on discipling Christians to face the challenges of the time and be Good News People.
The article was first published in Evangelical Focus.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia have led European evangelical leaders to urge politics worldwide, echoing the U.S. government's stance, to speak the truth about Ukraine's struggle for dignity, freedom, and faith, aligning with the need for unequivocal support as a vital component for peace.
- Amidst the war-and-conflicts, the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) has expressed its concern about the ongoing geopolitical developments, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and continues to call for prayers and support for the victims while maintaining its focus on discipling Christians to face the challenges of the time as Good News People.
