In the last of our blogs about military chaplains, read this very moving first-hand account of his work from Pastor Sergey:

‘I serve as the main military chaplain on the front line in the south. I am responsible for all the soldiers fighting on that front, which is why I travel so much among the various military units. There are a lot of drones dropping explosives, lots of aerial bombs. You mustn’t stop along the roads, but after a rainfall, the ground is very slippery, it’s hard to get through. My vehicle got stuck. It’s extremely dangerous, but God preserved my life. For about ten minutes there was fog and until another vehicle came by that could pull mine out, I couldn’t be seen. The fog protected me.

There are many opportunities to preach the Word of God to soldiers and to people who are still living close to the front. Their hearts are wide open. I ask for your prayers. There are heavy battles, much fear and exhaustion among the soldiers. There have been instances of suicide among them.

I am still the senior pastor of some churches. They are growing; there are many people in attendance. Since I cannot always be there in person, I join by video calls. The pastor whom I ordained a year ago is working very well. Before that he served as a deacon for ten years. The deacons work very well. We have a rehabilitation house where twenty-three men are living now; five of them are former soldiers who were wounded.

Another one of my important wartime tasks, as the leading chaplain of one of the fronts, is unifying the chaplains of different confessions: Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox. Also promoting respect and right relationships with Muslim chaplains.

My wife heads up the volunteer centre in the town where we live. She has a lot of work because many people have fled because it is so dangerous living here. With a team of ministers, my wife gives out groceries, clothing, etc. We help in any way we can. There are families living at the volunteer centre because they have no-where else to go.

We are very grateful for your prayers and support. We pray for you, too.’

Please pray for the safety of Pastor Sergey, his family and everyone along the front lines. The Guardian reported yesterday: ‘Russia is building up infantry and armoured vehicles while stepping up aerial bombardments ahead of planned attacks along the southern front, a Ukrainian military spokesman has said.  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/13/ukraine-war-briefing-russia-readying-push-on-southern-front-including-zaporizhzhia-ukraine-says

If you would like to donate to Pastor Sergey, please donate to DHM using the ‘Quick Donate’ button at the top of the screen.

Use the ref: Sergey

Please pray for peace so that refugees can return home,

families can be reunited

and communities like this can live in safety.