The war has had a devastating impact on the country’s economy and infrastructure, with more than 13,000 people killed and thousands more injured. Many families have been displaced, and their homes and businesses destroyed.

Eric Mock of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) says, “No one expected the full-fledged assault. No one saw this coming. We expected a fight for increased separation of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk…but no one expected this.

“On the other side, it seems the Russians did expect it to be something short and accomplished. So no one really could have imagined that there would be a drawn out conflict that was going to last as it is entering into one year.”

(Photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

Ukraine is a predominantly Christian country. The Church has played a vital role in providing support to those affected by the conflict, including refugees and those who have lost loved ones.

SGA supports many of these churches in Ukraine, and Mock says he has been moved by their testimonies of faith amidst hardship.

“There’s an echoing throughout most of the churches that we serve of this need to be faithful. So as we enter into this year, it was just another reminder of the need to trust in God, to walk through life with an open hand realizing each day may be your last day. It is a time in which we need to live life on mission for Christ.”

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it is essential for believers to pray without ceasing.

Mock says, “From a prayer point of view, my greatest heart is that people would see what is happening through the faithful believers in these countries — that they’re maintaining their Christo-centric focus — and through that, we would do the same and not be lulled into a sense of complacency since we aren’t fighting the same hardship.”

You can give to SGA’s ministry here, and also sign up for their crisis prayer team!

(Photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

“We recognize that this war is not going away,” says Mock. “So at SGA, we’re continuing to get the message out that there’s an overwhelming need and we encourage your listeners to be a part of helping us in serving the churches.”

Header photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association.

(Logo courtesy of SAT-7 TURK via Facebook)

Executive Director and renowned actor Melih Ekener says: “We were worried that we would receive a lot of bad reactions, but that hasn’t been the case. Even non-Christians have accepted us. This has been very surprising! I wasn’t expecting that viewers would say to us, ‘I believe in Jesus,’ but this is happening. God is working!”

For decades, most of Turkish society has viewed the tiny minority of Turkish Christians with suspicion and sometimes hostility. SAT-7 TÜRK became the first–and remains the only–Christian channel on Türksat when it launched a 24/7 schedule of programs last year.

The Christian programs are making an impact on people’s lives, offering:

• Bible teaching and church services
• News
• Women’s programs
• Social impact
• Children’s cartoons

One viewer says, “I am filled with joy! I was born [into a different religion], but I believe in Jesus Christ because He came as a peace ambassador, and He is the only one who will save us. I respect the other religions, but my religion is Jesus Christ. Turkey really needs this channel.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

SAT-7 TÜRK aims to build bridges between the Christian minority and the rest of the population, and demonstrate that it is possible to be both Turkish and Christian. The channel is a public platform for Turkish Christians to witness to their faith and is also helping viewers in their personal witness.

This anniversary comes at a time of increasing volatility in Turkey. The country faced its worst terrorist attack in October 2015 when 95 people were killed and around 250 wounded at a peace rally in Ankara. There has also been intensifying fighting between the government and the Kurdish nationalist PKK group in the southeast region of Diyarbakir. Turkey is also struggling to cope with 2.5 million Syrian refugees, and having closed its borders, is under international pressure to reopen them.

Melih says, “Amid the difficult time our country is going through, SAT-7 TÜRK is giving people the greatest weapon there is: God’s Word. When you use it, it brings peace, reconciliation, and love. Instead of bullets, it shoots love and hope.”

SAT-7 TÜRK aims to double its budget over the next three years to increase both the quantity and quality of its programming, attracting a larger audience.

To donate, click here!