Carrying soldiers’ letters gives volunteer chances to deliver words of hope
As told to Rick Perhai, Kyiv Theological Seminary academic dean
In the spring of 2014, as the conflict in southeastern Ukraine grew more intense, one member of an evangelical church in Kyiv felt led by God to serve his country and his fellow Ukrainians. He had attended a seminar led by the director of the chaplaincy program at Kyiv Theological Seminary, so he understood the possibilities of that type of ministry to the Ukrainian troops.
Sergei* went to the local army recruitment office and volunteered, asking, “What can I do? I won't carry a gun, but am willing to do whatever you need — kitchen duty, whatever you would like. Can I help with the physical and spiritual needs of our soldiers?”
The recruitment officer wasn't sure what to do with him, but eventually signed him up as a “non-physical medic and driver as needed.” In this role, Sergei, who attends a church pastored by a Kyiv Theological Seminary professor, went to the front lines, where he found ill-equipped soldiers who lacked body armor and felt very alone.
Sergei used his own funds to purchase equipment, food and other necessities. He carried letters from family members to the soldiers, returning with notes from the soldiers to their loved ones. He became a courier of sorts for those who were risking their lives on the front.
As time went on, Sergei gained a reputation for caring and for giving encouragement and spiritual counsel. Prior to a military operation, when a commanding officer would ask who was a priest, the soldiers would point to Sergei. The men shared openly with him regarding their struggles and fears, and about how they used alcohol, pornography, and other vices to escape and fill the void.
Sergei invested in the soldiers' lives, spending time with them, caring for them, listening to them, walking with them through their days and struggles. Through his serving, he built a bridge to feed them spiritually. Requests came for New Testaments, and he has been able to provide the soldiers with other spiritual materials.
“The troops fill their bodies with food and drink — good or bad,” he said. “I want to give them good food, not just physical food, but good spiritual food.”
Most of the soldiers are young, a mixed group from around Ukraine. Sergei began serving with a battalion of 100 men. Fewer than 10 are left after six months of fighting, the rest lost to either death or injury. He has been able to share Christ, as everyone can see that life is fleeting.
A cylinder from a mortar shell sits on Sergei’s desk at home as a reminder of God's hand on his life. One day he was sharing with a group when a mortar shell landed 20 meters away. It was a dud. If it had exploded, he and the others would most likely have been killed.
Sergei has gone dozens of times to the front lines, building relationships and caring for the soldiers. His worst job is going back to tell a wife or mother that her husband or son has died. He accompanies the officers who share this tragic news with immediate relatives. Many times the officers ask him, the volunteer, to speak on their behalf as they do not know what to say.
The relationships that Sergei has built with those serving will have a long-term influence; the men and women who are involved in this conflict will need help when, Lord willing, it ends. God is using individuals like Sergei, humble servants who are faithfully serving Christ in the midst of terrible circumstances.
Pray that God would raise up more people to serve in this way. Pray that the leadership of the armed forces would see the value of having chaplains as part of the armed forces. And pray that God will use the chaplaincy program at Kyiv Theological Seminary to meet the spiritual needs of Ukraine’s soldiers.
*Name changed to protect his identity
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
