Please pray for the pastor of an Evangelical church in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, who has been arrested by Russian forces.
Alexander Glushko, the pastor of the Mariupol Evangelical Church ‘Light of the World’ was arrested at his home a few days ago. A search was made of his house and a diploma from the Theological Seminary of Ukraine was found. A Release International partner says this is one of the reasons for his arrest.
‘According to our information, he has already been taken to the territory previously occupied by Russian troops and placed in a prison in the city of Dokuchaevsk, not far from Donetsk,’ reported our partner.
His family has no further information as to his whereabouts and his wife has no right or opportunity to see her husband.
Another pastor of a church near Mariupol has told our partner that he was blacklisted for arrest but, by a miracle of God, managed to escape. However, the church building, where the pastor’s family also lived, has been confiscated.
Our partner continued: ‘I believe that many other pastors of evangelical churches in Ukraine, known for their patriotic position, are also included in such a “black list”. This is also fully in line with reports that were published before the invasion of the Russian army that the “physical liquidation of some religious figures in Ukraine” who openly support their government is expected.’
Shortly after the conflict in Ukraine began Release International reported on the way Protestant churches in the pro-Russian controlled regions of Ukraine have been subject to restrictions on their freedom in recent years.
Our partner added that many Christians have already fled Mariupol – not only because of the current fighting but because of fears of possible persecution for the Evangelical faith.
Pray
- For the well-being and safety of Pastor Alexander Glushko and for his release. Pray also for his wife and family at this time.
- For God’s merciful protection of Evangelical pastors in Ukraine, especially in those territories of Ukraine previously occupied by pro-Russian groups.
- For Evangelical Christians in Ukraine: that the Lord will sustain them in their faith and witness amid the current conflict.
(Source: Release International partner)