Appeal: Put hope in hearts in Ukraine

Do you turn to God when things are tough? Because that’s happening in Ukraine right now. People who are desperate and weary are arriving at churches. All looking for one thing: hope.

But the problem is, Christians are exhausted from this war. We have nothing left to give. We need your help.

Please will you help churches bring good news to hurting people – and put hope in hearts this Christmas? Your gift is worth DOUBLE today, so you could help twice as many Ukrainians.

My name is Anatoliy, and I lead the Innovista team in Ukraine. If anywhere needs double the support, it’s here. It’s hard to explain to you how tired and hopeless we feel…

If you came to my church, you’d notice some people don’t sing any more. How can we celebrate Christmas when loved ones are sitting in frozen trenches in the dirt, protecting us?

Me and my team do everything we can to support church leaders – but they are running on empty. It would break your heart to see these brave, faithful people so depleted. They feel they’re standing alone against evil. My colleague Yana put it like this: “Physical and emotional strength is coming to an end… we are flat.” 

Right now, church leaders are reaching out to Innovista for help. We are overwhelmed. Recently I had to turn someone away because our training session, already doubled in size, was at capacity. At the same time, churches are filling up. One church near the frontline meets day after day because displaced and grieving people are coming in huge numbers. If church leaders can’t keep going, who will minister to these suffering people?

We need your help urgently. Please strengthen church leaders to share Jesus this Christmas.

Your generosity today can support Ukraine’s church leaders – some of the most courageous people you’ll ever meet – and bring hope.

You’ll provide vital training, including psychological and spiritual support to help leaders stay strong so they can help others. You’ll build teams and equip men and women for mission in ways no other organisation is doing.

More than that, your donation is a way to stand with your Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

Because when you see our tears, feel our pain, and respond with love and care… it means everything. It shows we are not alone.

You’ll stand with people like Antonina, in Chernihiv, who runs a ministry for grieving widows. You’ll support Nataliya*, in charge of a charity that locates missing people and reconnects them with loved ones. And you’ll help the team at a church in Lviv, which ministers to families with foster children.
You’ll strengthen Sandra, in Kyiv, who runs an organisation to support children with fathers on the frontline. Sandra is only in her 30s, but this incredible woman leads a team of 10 volunteers providing wrap-around care to the most traumatised children.

These extraordinary people are pouring themselves out in service. But the need in Ukraine is vast. They can’t keep going without your urgent help.

As you consider your Christmas giving, don’t forget the Ukrainian church. Please donate today to put hope in hearts.

Remember, your gift is worth DOUBLE today, so you’ll reach twice as many suffering people.

Here in Ukraine, we don’t know what tomorrow brings. Every time we hoped the war would end, it didn’t. But amid despair, your care and compassion will shine brightly. You can bring hope to people’s hearts – and you will change lives.

It’s rare we have the opportunity to double your donation. So please grasp this moment with both hands and give as generously as you are able. Thank you so much.

From your brothers and sisters here at Innovista, and from the Ukrainian leaders you’re supporting, may you know all the joy and hope of Jesus this Christmas.

With every blessing,

Anatoliy Sapsay,
Director, Innovista Ukraine​​