In April 2024, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, met with the leaders of the Ukrainian Bible Society and church leaders at Bible House in Kyiv. Despite his busy schedule, President Zelensky took the time to express his gratitude for their unwavering support to Ukrainians during these difficult times.
“It is very important that people can come, talk to you, and pray. I would also like to express my gratitude for the service of our military chaplains. Thanks to you, our men and women at the front can connect with you and feel support from you,” said President Zelensky.
Rev. Anatoliy, Deputy General Secretary of the Bible Society, elaborates on the discussion. “The President spoke frankly about the numerous challenges and threats that exist today and what this terrible war entails. He expressed his gratitude and emphasised the important role of the Church in pastoral, spiritual, psychological, and humanitarian work. In particular, he thanked Bible Society for supporting military chaplains by providing Bibles, which are essential for both soldiers on the frontline and in the rear,” says Rev. Anatoliy. “Amid the incessant bombing, millions of people have sought refuge in church buildings. At the same time, the war has compelled churches to go beyond their buildings to help those who are suffering amid the chaos,” says Rev. Anatoliy.
And in these darkest of days, God’s Word continues to spread across the nation thanks to the hard work of the Ukrainian Bible Society team. “Personally, I have encountered pastors in bomb shelters, hospitals, and church basements, where they prayed with frightened people and read children’s Bibles in complete darkness to groups of frightened children. There is a great interest in God’s Word, which is confirmed by the fact that Bible Society has distributed 1,025,000 Bibles during twenty-five months of war. Every day, seven days a week, churches are receiving Bibles from Bible Society to serve hundreds of thousands of people who are getting their first experience with the church,” says Rev. Anatoliy. A heartfelt thank you goes to our Bible a Month Regular Givers and Appeal givers who have supported the Bibles for Military Chaplains project over the past four years.
