Wartime ministry in Ukraine isn’t just about providing physical aid; it is about standing on the front lines of emotional and spiritual trauma. For Natalia, a leader at our Center of Hope in Kyiv, this is a daily reality. On a recent Thursday morning, following a terrifying night of missile strikes that tragically claimed 24 lives, Natalia did what she always does: she opened her doors to the community.

As the scheduled Bible study began, four women walked through the door, visibly shaken and deeply upset. They lived directly across the street from the apartment building that had been obliterated just hours before. They didn’t yet know the final death toll, but the raw terror of the night was written all over their faces. They were trapped in the aftermath of a literal nightmare.

In moments of deep trauma, a Center of Hope becomes exactly what its name promises—a sanctuary. Recognizing their pain, Natalia didn’t stick to a rigid agenda. Instead, she guided the women to the New Testament passage of Jesus calming the storm at sea.

“The Lord helped me to draw people’s attention away from that horror and to look at Jesus in these events.” — Natalia

Using the principles of Immanuel Prayer—a practice focused on experiencing God’s direct, comforting presence in times of distress—Natalia helped these women anchor their minds on Christ rather than the chaos outside. The atmosphere in the room shifted from terror to profound gratitude. Through tears, the women began to sincerely thank God for sparing their lives, and together, they lifted up intense prayers for the families who had suffered loss that night.

This is the vital work of Centers of Hope. Because of your support, leaders like Natalia are equipped to step into the wreckage of war and offer immediate psychological and spiritual first aid. Thank God that He is always by our side, giving our brothers and sisters in Ukraine the supernatural strength to keep going.

Natalia’s Group in Kyiv