Worship FESTIVAL SUNDAY

All five worship services will join together at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary for FESTIVAL SUNDAY with Dr. Ivan Rusyn preaching.

“News from the front” with Dr. Ivan Rusyn from Ukraine

Dr. Ivan Rusyn is the president of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) in Kyiv, Ukraine, and teaches mission studies applied to the Ukrainian and Central Asian contexts. Ivan holds a PhD in missiology from the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University in Kyiv, Ukraine. He is an ordained minister of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church and co-pastors a church plant in Kyiv. His humble and faithful leadership within Ukraine and Central Asia is recognized by the World Communion of Reformed Churches and other global church councils.

Ivan and his wife Luidmyla (Luda) live Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv. They have a miraculous story of escape from Bucha just as Russian troops took the city over. Since that experience, the tragedy of the ongoing war and the extreme suffering of people have reshaped his understanding of God, humanity, and mission. Topics such as reconciliation, justice, prayer, and experiencing the presence of Jesus in times of suffering have taken on fresh meaning and have thoroughly transformed his leadership, ministry, and teaching. He has been deeply moved by the generosity and support of people from around the world.

Since the first days of the full-scale war, Ivan and others from UETS provide regular worship and communion to Ukrainian troops close to the frontlines of the war. He has led the seminary through missile attacks and an energy crisis, transitioning the campus to provide a massive relief effort to people in Kyiv and surrounding areas. He and Luda were able to receive special permission to leave Ukraine from their government because of the favor the church has received resulting from these relief efforts. They are coming to the United States to share stories, engage in dialogue, and say thank you for our financial and spiritual support for Ukraine.

Special note: Dr. Rusyn will also speak in Stephenson Hall Saturday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. and in Pastor’s Study Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in Stephenson Hall.


Watch Dr. Rusyn in this video from Ukraine.