Posted by Dan Kingsley
on 10th March 2022

Like the rest of the world, over the past two weeks we have been watching the conflict developing in Ukraine. The human toll is far from known, but we do know that – at time of writing – over two million Ukrainians have fled their country, and many more remain trapped in their cities.

In these challenging circumstances, the global church has united to pray: for the nation of Ukraine, for its forty-four million citizens, and for brothers and sisters in the faith across that region (among them our dear friends) now facing unimaginable challenges.

Just as we have stood side-by-side in prayer, we now have an opportunity to give as one. With the help of our network of churches, Catalyst, they have launched a Ukraine Fund.

Being part of a global family means we deeply feel one another’s pain, but also that we are able to act quickly to equip trusted friends serving the suffering on the frontline of this crisis. One example of where finances can act to support and strengthen is among the churches in Poland, where more than a million refugees have arrived over the past week.

In Kraków the Slavic Mission, led by Ivan Yurtschischin, is among many churches across the region now transformed into a refugee centre. Overnight, the upstairs of the church building was fitted out with bunkbeds and washing facilities; they are currently welcoming, feeding and hosting 75 new refugees every day, and helping accommodate many more across the city.

In the mountains outside of Kraków, a hotel has kindly allowed the church to transform its space into a makeshift orphanage. While the church has experienced incredible favour locally, with this accommodation being provided rent-free, the utilities for facilities like these create significant overheads. Indeed, for the adapted church facility, the orphanage and the twenty apartments currently accommodating refugees, the utilities alone cost over £20,000 a month.

Catalyst's intention is that this response fund will serve not only those who have left their nation as refugees, but also the many Ukrainians facing hardships within their own borders. Every day, lorries packed with essential resources leave Kraków and make the journey to the border of Ukraine, before turning round and providing transport for fleeing refugees on their return trip.

The short video below outlines the ways in which just one church is reaching out. We know that these costly and sacrificial demonstrations of Christ’s love are being replicated by churches right across the region.

It is easy to feel powerless in situations like these, but we must not underestimate the significant power we wield when we unite firstly to pray, and secondly to equip the body of Christ for works of service.

Please consider giving to the Ukraine Response Fund today by using the details below:

Bank: Cooperative Bank
Account name: Catalyst Network of Churches
Sort Code: 08-92-99
Account number: 65626678
Reference: Ukraine

You can also give online directly via Paypal on the Catlayst Giving page if you'd rather give by credit or debit card.

If you are able to claim Gift Aid, please click here to fill out the Gift Aid Form for Catalyst.

If you have any queries about financial transfers to this account, please contact Stuart Mattocks who runs the finances for Catalyst.

 

This blog was originally posted on the Newfrontiers website.

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