An Update on Belarus & Poland
An update from Kyle Huber, Lead Pastor of Greentree Church, Egg Harbor, New Jersey, USA, and Emerging Nations Representative to Belarus…
The pastors who have been our key contacts in Belarus had to flee their country, but they remain fully engaged in the work of the local church! Due to the threat of imprisonment, Sergei and Philip are now refugees in Poland. The pain of leaving their homes, families and church is an emotional trauma that is not easily overcome. Yet, they immediately began setting the foundation for a new church among the hundreds of thousands of Belarusian refugees in Poland.
Philip, Sergei and their wives.
They currently have a discipleship group of 15-20 people who have agreed to move toward becoming a church plant. Recently, they were able to rent space in a Polish Church to meet each week. This will bring some needed stability as they were having to meet in various public locations. Sergei and Philip recognize they will have to proceed slowly and patiently since every team member is also a refugee trying to work through the pain of loss and separation. A significant part of this pain is the regular news about friends who are being imprisoned simply for expressing opinions the government doesn’t like.
Sergei and Philip have been developing friendships with pastors in Poland allowing them to better understand the spiritual climate in Poland and the condition of the evangelical church there. While the dominant religion in Belarus is Russian Orthodox, Poland is a strongly Catholic nation. The evangelical Christian community in both nations is less than half of one percent of the total population.
Both pastors continue to disciple the leaders they left behind in the church they planted nine years ago in Minsk, Belarus. The evidence of their faithfulness to shepherd their previous congregation is revealed in the way it continues to flourish despite losing its pastors and having to navigate life in an oppressive environment.
In June, the Sovereign Grace European Fellowship held a retreat in Warsaw, Poland, enabling us to serve our Belarusian brothers. Along with several pastors from various areas in Europe, eight Belarusian leaders were in attendance. Half of these men now reside in Poland and half made the trip from Belarus to attend. This was a time of care and prayer for hurting brothers, while still looking toward the future of how Sovereign Grace Churches can strengthen the gospel work these faithful pastors are eager to continue.
Some of the ways we can support these men with our prayers:
The Belarusian government is requiring all churches to re-register. No one knows the implications of this, but the purpose undoubtedly will be to restrict and control.
One Belarusian pastor shared that the government has said it will confiscate the building they are renovating as a church because the project hasn’t been completed within two years.
Financial conditions in Belarus are very difficult as many western companies have left the country and have required their employees to leave as well.
The war in neighboring Ukraine is a source of upheaval and heartbreak. All young men have to register with the military and face the potential of being drawn into the conflict.
Following the recent Wagner Group insurrection in Russia, the Belarusian President has invited these mercenary troops to Belarus. No one knows the implications of having these forces stationed there.
Freedom for the thousands of innocent citizens languishing in Belarusian prisons and labor camps.
Pray for more young men to be raised up and trained as pastors.
Above all, pray for gospel fruit as God’s people share their abiding hope to people surrounded by hopelessness.
Although conditions in Belarus are difficult, it is easier to engage in gospel conversations with people because uncertainty and despair are such a common experience. Many young people in particular, are interested in learning what the Bible has to say to them.
Praise to God for allowing us to stand with His people in these difficult places!
