Christians in Ukraine Celebrate Hope at Easter

Media Advisory: April 06, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The celebration of Easter united Christians all over the world on April 4, and this year, the Eastern Orthodox religious calendar celebrated Easter on the same day as Catholics and Protestants. For missionaries in Ukraine with World Gospel Mission, this made Easter an even more unique celebration.

"Easter is one of the few times you see people flocking to church," said missionary Shushan Richardson.

According to Richardson, the Russian word for Sunday is literally translated Resurrection Day. "Even during communism when going to church was forbidden, the idea of Jesus Christ defeating death was still a part of the language," she said. The Eastern Orthodox church follows the lunar calendar for religious holidays.

For the last several years, evangelical churches in the coastal city of Berdyansk, where WGM missionaries are present, have been celebrating Easter by marching in a parade to the city's main square, loudly proclaiming the gospel message. This church-driven event involves all the evangelical denominations in Berdyansk.

"The gospel of hope is being preached," added Richardson. "Ukrainians have no hope in the government, no hope that the economy will get better. So we talk about the hope we have in Christ, and that's so readily apparent in His resurrection."

WGM missionaries in Ukraine are involved in orphanage ministry, outreach to youth and children, English classes, compassionate ministries, and church nurturing. Volunteers who are able to serve for six weeks to a year are welcome. For more information about ministry opportunities in Ukraine, visit www.wgm.org/ukraine or call Troy Simpson at 765-761-7226.