By Carl Stagner

As the current crisis in Ukraine persists into its seventh week, the Church of God in the United States and Canada continues to respond with compassion and generosity. Beyond what any individual congregation can accomplish alone, the long-established relationships that extend across national borders have made it possible for strategic partnership in crisis relief. Church of God Ministries, through its Global Strategy team, has linked arms with the Church of God in Germany, ensuring the donations of thousands of dollars go directly to relief efforts.

For generations, the Church of God in Germany has provided excellence in ministry and mission beyond their borders. Together with the German Church of God, the Church of God in the United States and Canada has the means to send aid straight to the congregations on the ground where it is needed most. The following quotes, translated from German, offer a snapshot of the determination—backed by capability—of these partners of Church of God Ministries.

“Every day, new emergency calls come in from Ukraine—every day we expand our aid measures on the ground. Local congregations organize shelters, cookouts, and sanitation facilities for refugees and distribute food. Women and children stuck at the border are being provided with sanitary supplies, water, and food. Families and orphans from orphanages could be evacuated.”

“Within the framework of our Ukraine emergency aid, refugees from [northeastern Ukraine] were provided at the [central Ukraine] station. They got one stew and food packages with rice, beans, and noodles. In [a city in southern Ukraine], which is in Russian hand, people in need also received food that they so desperately needed.”

As Jim Lyon, general director of Church of God Ministries has explained, the Church of God in Ukraine was born out of the Church of God in Germany, through the ministry of Christians Broadcasting Hope. The unity of the body of Christ in this war-torn region of the world knows no national boundaries; the Church of God in the United States and Canada continues to pray and financially support their relief efforts. Each day, Global Strategy remains in contact with regional coordinators and pastors on the ground to be aware of the most recent developments. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

Thank you for your giving. Thank you for your prayers!

If you would like to walk alongside our Ukrainian church family, donations can be made to Church of God Disaster Relief. Your gift helps provide both emergency aid to those who choose to remain in Ukraine and critical assistance to those who choose to flee as refugees.

Feature (top) photo: Humanitarian aid delivery for Ukrainian crisis relief (courtesy the Church of God in Germany).