“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Mark 13:8), said Jesus to his disciples as he discussed the end times. 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marked the beginning of Europe’s biggest land war since WWII. With the one-year anniversary this past week, many have written about the war and considered the geopolitical implications, the effect on the global economy, and the outcome for an independent Ukraine. But what has been the effect on the church?

We can’t possibly know the myriad ways God is working in Ukraine and Russia—to magnify his name, to draw sinners to himself, to build up his church—but in talking to believers in both nations we see some of the ways God has been faithful to his people. Sarah Zylstra tells the story of how Ukrainian believers have grieved amid loss, reengaged translation efforts, and been blessed by the generosity of Christians in neighboring countries. She also profiles a Russian pastor and shows the unique challenges faced by the church there. “My whole life, I have been praying for the spiritual awakening of Russia,” he said. “[For that to happen], human pride first needs to be crushed. Right now, I am more encouraged than ever that I might see that in my lifetime.”

We don’t know how this war will end, but we take comfort that the head of church remains in charge. The nations rage, but Christ’s promise to build his church endures (Matt. 18:18).