But that’s not the only nuclear concern during the invasion.

Friday morning, Russian artillery fire hit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. A fire started, triggering panic about a possible nuclear disaster. Thankfully, the reactors suffered no damage. The explosion and fire took place at a training center, away from the reactors.

A disaster avoided

Experts say the resulting disaster would have emitted more radioactive material than the 1986 Chernobyl incident. Eric Mock with the Slavic Gospel Association says, “The radiation from Chernobyl was detected all over the world, and it rendered large portions of southern Belarus as well as the northern parts of Ukraine just unlivable.”

“You walk into these old villages and trees are growing through windows. The homes and businesses that used to be there are nothing more than rubble.”

Russian forces have since taken control of the Zaporizhzhia reactors as well. Ukraine has several operating nuclear fission reactors scattered around the country. Mock says, “To control these reactors is to control the power grid. So you can see the advantage from a military point of view.”

Local Pastors

Mock says pastors in the surrounding areas continued serving those in need and proclaiming the Gospel. “They said they are pressing on, despite the fear that the reactor could go off. They are pressing on, they are taking aid to people.”

Praise God for their faithfulness. And pray for peace in Ukraine.

You can also help SGA send aid to Ukrainian churches. Mock says, “Day after day, we’re receiving pictures of people receiving aid, receiving hope, hearing the Gospel.”

The header photo shows the Chernobyl nuclear site in the distance. (Photo courtesy of Jason Minshull, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

While the U.N.'s nuclear agency says there have been positive developments in stabilizing damaged nuclear reactors, the situation remains serious. As a result, all International Mission Board personnel north and east of Nagoya must move to southern Japan temporarily.

Missionaries are grieving over the relocation during such a dire time, not wanting to abandon those they have ministered to.

Mark and Wendy Hoshizaki have a ministry to the homeless. The couple is fearful of what may become of those they have come to know. Mark says food shortages that resulted from a recent 9.0 earthquake are severely affecting the general public, which means there is even less for the homeless.

"It's horrible. We are leaving," Wendy says. "They are even worse off because the homeless are always forgotten.

The Hoshizakis spent their last hours in the region doling out the last of their food to the homeless.

Another IMB couple spent their last day baptizing a city councilman and his wife. Mark and Mie Busby are having an equally difficult time leaving their home, but they admit that there is no real way for them to get to disaster victims. Government permits are required to be in the tsunami and quake areas, and no one is allowed near the nuclear plant, which is rumored to have slightly poisoned nearby plants and water.

The relocated missionaries will not be gone for good. They hope to be back as soon as they are able. For now, their safety will be more secure elsewhere.

Pray for these devastated, faithful believers. Pray that God would take away their anxiety regarding the ministries they have left behind, and that the fruits of their labor would continue grow even without them there. Pray that this would be an opportunity to be a witness for Christ elsewhere in the country.