Planting Spiritual Seeds in Russia and Ukraine

Taking the Gospel to Soldiers and Nonbelievers in Russia  

In a world often marked by division and strife, a team in Russia has embarked on a mission to spread hope, joy and love. Through the ministry, they are touching the lives of both soldiers and nonbelievers, offering hope in God and inspiration in unique ways. 

One of their latest endeavors is the Audio Message of Hope on Flash Drives project, which is set to have a profound impact. One member of the team shared the exciting news, stating, "Preparation of materials for the first batch of flash drives is underway. One thousand units will be sent to the combat zone in western Russia as well as to hospitals."  

This initiative aims to bring hope and spiritual truth to those serving in the military, as well as to individuals in medical facilities. 

Expanding their reach further, the team also shared an update on the Radio Moloko project, which caters specifically to nonbelievers in Russia (moloko translates to milk in English). The Radio Moloko streaming project aims to connect with nonbelievers who listen to our programs. The idea behind the project is to spur spiritual conversations with nonbelievers by giving them biblical “milk.” The team plans to launch a pilot stream by June 20. 

The impact of these projects is already evident through the heartfelt testimonies received. Anette expressed her gratitude, saying, "Hello, my dear ones! It seems to me that today's broadcast is about me and for me. Thank you, everyone who participated in discussing the topic. God spoke to me through you. I repent, and I want to be better."  

Such personal revelations highlight the profound effect that these initiatives are having, touching hearts and encouraging individuals to reflect, repent before God and strive for personal growth. 

The team's dedication and commitment to spreading truth and hope to the lost are commendable. By embracing the power of God’s Word through music, prayers and engaging broadcasts, the team in Russia is fostering an environment of love and understanding in a world that often yearns for such virtues.  

As the team in Russia continues to engage in the projects mentioned above, we eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will have on both soldiers and nonbelievers alike. Through their unwavering spirit and commitment to serving others, they are shining a light of compassion, unity and God’s love in a dark world that needs it now more than ever. Thanks be to the Lord! 

God Expands TWR Ukraine’s Field of Activity 

“Sometimes it seems like the whole of Ukraine is watching us,” said Alexander Chmut, director of TWR’s Ukraine team. “Today, they know about us. And God has blessed us to be able to preach the gospel so freely.”  

The team is a little tired. Their days are filled with visits, meetings and video shoots. Yet they have a dream to start FM broadcasts from within Ukraine. Whether it is possible, they don’t know, but they are expecting great things of God.  

In late April, Chmut was interviewed on an interdenominational TV channel. During the interview, he spoke in detail about TWR Ukraine’s ministry. This gave the ministry exposure to a new audience of 40,000 people. Ruslan Kukharchuk, a well-known journalist in Ukraine, conducted the interview. Kukharchuk has worked on secular channels for many years and is now the head of a Christian broadcasting organization.  

Recently, the Ukraine team organized the translation and printing of 2,000 copies of a practical handbook on soul care and counseling. Written by American author John Regier, the book helps readers identify and resolve emotional pain through biblical concepts. The team plans to start an online pastoral care portal since there’s such a great need for emotional healing. 

TWR Ukraine shared about generational sin at a family event in the Zhitomir region. Over 100 people registered for the event, most of whom were unbelievers. Even the town’s mayor, chief notary and someone from the tax office were present. People listened carefully as the team spoke about emotional wounds in relationships. 

Studying the Bible Together is an interactive Bible study. TWR Ukraine invites prominent Christian figures such as chaplains and opinion leaders to take part in the commentaries. In April, the team celebrated the books of the Bible that have already been recorded and published. A listener named Vita wrote, “I want to thank Trans World Radio for the opportunity to study the Bible with you. It is the best Bible study I’ve ever heard in my life. I am amazed at the depth of God’s Word, and I would not have understood it without you.” 

After many in-depth radio conversations TWR Ukraine has had on the air, the staff decided to create a course from those discussions titled Marriage and Family. And to their delight, a Bible school in Kyiv invited the team to teach the course in person. The students were familiar with TWR Ukraine’s media ministry, and this was a chance to encourage them to remain regular visitors to the channels. 

The team has continued distributing radio and SD cards loaded with preprogrammed, biblically sound teaching. These devices are strategically distributed to benefit the local church and people who are searching for spiritual answers. For example, devices were given to a Ukrainian man who ministers to nomadic Roma people and prisoners sentenced for life. 

Bringing Jesus to Ukraine’s Roma 

New programs to Ukraine’s Roma people were recorded in partnership with a Roma social activist: Historical Traditions of the Servos and Vlachs, From Nomads to Farmers, How War Changed the Roma, and Read to Hear. The social activist who partnered with TWR Ukraine to develop the content is involved in the research and history of Ukraine’s Roma population. He studies and records Roma folklore, develops educational programs for Roma children and youth, assists with the translation of a children’s Bible into the Romani language, and has narrated audio recordings of the books of Luke and Acts in the Romani language. 

‘Enlarge the Place of Your Tent’ 

In Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, ministry teams are expecting big things from God and making room for him to work. People are accepting Christ, finding liberation from fear and discouragement, and learning to live out their true identities in Christ. 

The following text seems fitting as we celebrate with them and pray for them: