76. Serving God Under Siege in Ukraine

In this episode of God on the Move, Valentyn and Liuba Siniy share how Russia’s full-scale invasion has reshaped church life in Ukraine, from early surges of seekers asking “Where is God?” to ongoing fatigue, trauma, and uneven realities between frontline and distant regions. Valentyn, a pastor and seminary leader displaced from Kherson, describes churches near the front as crowded yet under-resourced, growing needs in women’s ministry, chaplaincy, and trauma healing, and increased cooperation among Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical communities. He explains that persecution of evangelicals is most evident in Russian-occupied territories, recounting arrests of Christians, and rejects claims of widespread persecution in free Ukraine. Valentyn introduces his memoir Serving God Under Siege (Ukrainian title: A Man Whose Home Was Stolen), reflecting on evacuation, loss, theological testing, lament, and seeing God’s “hands” through others, and he asks for prayer for a just peace and national restoration.   📚 Links from the Interview Book: Serving God Under Siege Episode 48: Faith on the Front Line: Testimonies From Eastern Ukraine Tavriski Christian Institute   🧑‍💻 About Valentyn Valentyn Syniy was born in Kherson, Ukraine, and raised in a Christian family during the final decades of the Soviet Union. After committing his life to Christ and being baptized in 1995, he began serving in youth ministry at Christ the Savior Church in Kherson. Ordained as a pastor in 1998, he has dedicated his life to pastoral ministry, theological education, and leadership development.  He serves as President of Tavria Christian Institute, where he has taught since 2004, and holds degrees in Christian leadership, history, and theology, including a PhD in Theology. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he led the evacuation and relocation of the institute while continuing to preach and minister in Ukraine. His work focuses on theological education, church leadership, and Christian witness in times of crisis.   🔗 Join the God on the Move Community on the Lausanne Action Hub and be part of the conversation, see exclusive content and share your own testimony.   📝 We’d love your feedback to help us to improve this podcast. Thank you!