APPEAL TO PASTORS, MINISTERS AND CHURCH MEMBERS

Dear pastors, ministers of various churches in Donetsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, dear brothers and sisters!

Due to the tense situation in Ukraine and the tragic consequences which took lives of many people, I consider the most important thing today to put aside all disagreements and unite our hearts in common prayer and fasting for our country. With many of you we have been serving God together for years, getting through different times. And today more than ever,  unanimity in prayer is very important.

I am sure that the unity in Ukraine is largely dependent on the unity in the Church and in the hearts of Christians. The Bible says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16). Our effectual, fervent united prayer can do the impossible things in our country, can stop the bloodshed and bring peace! God said that Ukraine will be grain and spiritual granary for all nations. Let us believe together in fulfillment of this word!

I invite all pastors, ministers, parishioners to join the open Fasting and prayer for Ukraine which are to be held on 26, 27 and 28 February in Donetsk, in the church building in Tkachenko st., 100.

May God bless you!
You are welcome!

Your brother in Christ,
Leonid Padun

FREEDOM BEGINS WITH YOU

“Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian” (Isaiah 9:1-4)

In our life, there are always “past times” and “subsequent times”. Whatever the past is, it always remains behind and we must look into the future. What kind of future will it be?

God’s will in relation to people has not changed – it is to bless and to exalt us, to give us something good. Jesus Christ said: “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The Apostle James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning” (James 1:17) God desires the light to shine in every life! Why then there is so much darkness?

ONE YEAR LATER

On November 20^th precisely a year had passed since that day when certain events happened in my life, which echoed deep pain, not only for me and my family, but also for the whole church and all the churches of our association. Things we had to and have to get through now are difficult to describe in words. But at the same time I have realized that nothing accidental happens, and sooner or later, everything finds its explanation. Now I understand why a year ago Ulf Ekman tried to displace me from my ministry.

First of all, with respect and love in Christ, I want to thank Ulf Ekman, Carl – Gustav and all Swedish brothers for all the good they have done for me and our church, preaching the Gospel and bringing the message of faith. Whatever happens, I have always loved and will love them with love of Christ.

ADDRESS TO PASTORS AND BELIEVERS of Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church and the “WORD OF LIFE” church of Donetsk

Dear friends, brothers and sisters – peace be to you!

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for your prayers and support in these hard times for our church, and also for your patience and faithfulness to God.

These days I receive a great number of letters and calls from people asking to clarify the situation happened to the church “Word of Life” in Donetsk, as well as to the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church (UCEC).

That is why I would like to state that during the years of our existence, the church ” Word of Life” of Donetsk and UCEC suffered various persecution but we never witnessed such events. But the Word of God warns us that persecution could happen not only outside but also inside the church. Unfortunately, there are examples in the History of Christianity, when people called themselves believers but being fulfilled with ambitions and dirty motives made the Body of Christ fall apart.