DNR MILITANTS SEIZE THE WORD OF LIFE CHURCH BUILDING

On Wednesday, August 13, members of the so-called People’s Republic of Donetsk (DPR or DNR) took over the worship hall of the Word of Life church, where Pastor Leonid Padun holds services. This news was relayed to MirVam.org by ministers of the church.

Leonid Padun, who serves as a Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church and Pastor of the Word of Life church, expressed heartfelt sorrow that the Church can no longer assemble for worship and prayer, and he urged the faithful to lend their support through prayer. The appeal by Leonid Padun is taken from the church website.

Dear Friends! Dear Brothers and Sisters!

I ask for your prayerful support in response to the events of Wednesday, August 13 when, at 10 PM, militants from the DNR took over the building that houses our church. The city is full of vacant buildings, and yet they have decided that they must occupy a house of God, which is not empty for even a day, and where service to God and aid to those in need is never-ceasing. 

There are no words to express our pain and sorrow! For over twenty years we have invested our hearts and our finances into the church building, and now they have deprived us of the opportunity to gather for prayer and service to God. With a heavy heart, I have to inform you that this Sunday, for the first time, the doors of our church will not be opened to those who hunger for God.

It is written that "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all”. I believe that this will not last long, and a time of peace shall come to our city and we will come together again in the house of the Lord, and we will praise God, serve Him, and perform the great commission of Jesus Christ! I shall be very grateful to everyone for their prayerful support.

Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church, Pastor of the Word of Life church in Donetsk

Leonid Padun

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