June 24, 2025 • 60 mins
On this episode of The One Pebble Podcast, Kristine and Harris sit down with Pastor Yura Fedoryuk from Zolotonosha, Ukraine. In this poignant conversation, Pastor Yura describes what living through war has been like, and how his young church family has been providing physical and spiritual support to refugees.
To give: https://openheartukraine.org/
Yura Fedoryuk is a pastor, husband, father, and visionary leader from Ukraine. Together with his wife Nina and children (Emiliya is 14 and Benjamin is 10), Yura leads Open Heart Church in the city of Zolotonosha — a young and vibrant Christian community that seeks to help people open their hearts to God's love and become true disciples of Jesus. Their vision is to transform families and impact their city through Christ’s love. Open Heart Church was planted just 4 years ago. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Yura and his church have been actively serving their local community — providing spiritual care, humanitarian aid, and hope to families affected by the war. Open Heart Church continues to grow as a place of healing, restoration, and purpose. He travels to the U.S. to build relationships with churches and partners who want to support what God is doing in Ukraine.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kristine (00:01):
This is the One Pebble Podcast.
I'm your host, Kristine.
Welcome to the One PebblePodcast.
Today, it brings my son andco-host and I great joy to be
visiting with Pastor YuraFederuk.
(00:23):
Yura, did I say that
Pastor Yura (00:25):
correctly?
Yes, almost.
Kristine (00:26):
How do you say
Pastor Yura (00:27):
it?
Yura Fedoruk.
Yura Fedoruk.
Yes, I love that.
That Yura was really perfect.
That was really good.
Kristine (00:34):
I have to say that Pastor Yura, I've known him for
many, many years from Ukraine,is one of my favorite people on
this whole earth.
If you think I have...
Passion and energy and joy.
This guy is amazing.
And wait till you hear PastorYura's heart today.
(00:55):
We're going to have so muchfun.
We are going to talk about hislife.
We're going to talk about hisministry.
We're also going to talk aboutand learn a lot about the war
today.
And I think it'll be acaptivating hour.
He's only in the United Statesfor a week, back for a visit.
Sit down with Harris and I, andwe're so excited to learn more
(01:20):
about you, more about yourheart, your ministry, and your
country.
Harris, are you excited?
Harris (01:26):
Thank you for coming on.
I'm super excited.
I think as an American, we heara lot about the war in Ukraine,
and I just really like to hearabout what's the war like from a
perspective of someone that'son the ground, that lives there,
outside of the whole medialight of things.
Pastor Yura (01:44):
Yeah, thank you.
I will be happy to share.
That's an honor for me to behere.
I really was not expecting, youknow, I will be doing this, but
I'm so happy to share and tellyou more of what's happening in
Ukraine and honestly what'shappening in our church.
So awesome.
Thank you for the opportunityto be here.
Kristine (02:01):
Thank you.
Pastor Yura, I want you tostart by telling us about your
family and a little bit aboutUkraine.
I have to tell you, I fell inlove with your country, my
husband and I, 24 years ago.
We went on a two-week missiontrip with our church, Refuge
(02:21):
Church in Willmar, to Ukraine.
And really, my love of theworld, my love of missions,
started in your country.
And so...
Pastor Yura (02:31):
Hallelujah.
That's what I'll say.
Pastor
Kristine (02:34):
Jira, tell us about your family.
Pastor Yura (02:37):
So should I start like with my family where I was
born?
So I was born in a little town,Zolotonosha.
My parents were not Christians.
They were living kind of atough life.
But when I was seven years old,my parents came to Christ and
my dad...
Dad's life changed, can I say,rapidly.
Like he was that guy, you know,who smoked, who drank alcohol.
(03:01):
It always was fight in my home.
But as soon as my dad came toChrist, his entire life changed.
And all the atmosphere,everything in my family just
literally changed.
And probably here is a story Iremember.
So my dad on Sunday, he came upfront and he repented.
So we came back home, eatinglunch, and my dad started
(03:23):
smoking.
And then, oh, no.
I'm like, I repented.
I'm not going to do that.
So he take his cigarette and hetell me and my brother who's
sitting in the kitchen, hey,this is my last cigarette.
And he put it on the window andwe're like, oh my gosh, you
know, we heard that for so manyyears, so many times.
Guess what?
He never came back to smoke andhis life just changed rapidly.
(03:45):
And see that was really amazingfor me to see that God really
can change people's life.
And my personal story is,really connected with Americans.
So in 1993, it was first kidscamp, adventure camp, whatever
how you say, VBS camp, that'shappened in our church.
So I was there for the firsttime.
(04:06):
Like, can you imagine?
Like for us who doesn't havegood childhood, to have camp
with Americans, singing allthose songs.
And what I felt at that time,those Americans really love me.
So usually I'm that kind of kidwho was really...
Like, you know, everyone willsay, Yura, shut up.
Yura, be quiet.
(04:26):
Yura, you know, stand still.
I was like really active.
And I felt so much love fromAmericans who just love me.
And guess what?
In the end of the camp, Irepented.
And I have to share that.
It's deeply, as soon as Irepented, I have that little
dream in my heart.
(04:46):
I want to be a pastor.
And that was always somewhereover there, even though with few
years later, when I was ateenager, I came to a point when
I realized I will never be apastor.
You know why?
Because my pastor was really aserious person.
He never jokes.
He's like, you know, nosmiling.
(05:07):
And I was a different person.
I'm like, ah, I will never be apastor.
Pastors should be different.
But, you know, God has hissense of humor.
God knows what he was doing.
And Four years ago, I planted achurch and I became a pastor
for those people who are aroundme.
So that's a great story.
Right now, I'm married.
I'm married for 15 years.
God made a miracle.
(05:28):
My wife, Nina, she still lovesme.
So this is a big miracle, guys.
And I have two amazing kids.
So my daughter, Emiliya, she's14.
And my son, Benjamin, he's 10years old.
Am I good here or more?
Just, you know, help me overhere because I can talk for, you
know, for a long period oftime.
Kristine (05:47):
I love it.
How did you meet Nina?
Pastor Yura (05:50):
Yeah, so I met Nina at Kiev Christian University.
I was a freshman.
She was last year.
How do you call that?
Senior year?
Yep.
So I was pretty good infighting for her.
Who chased who?
Probably I was chasing her,right?
Is it chase, right?
But she's so beautiful andbeautiful.
(06:13):
So we've been dating for threeyears because she finished
university and she was waitingfor me to finish university.
So actually she was workingwhile I was still in my
university, Christianuniversity, because I told her I
want my life to dedicate to Godand whatever he will call me, I
want to do his work.
So she was patiently waitingfor me.
But that those three years ofdating gave us a lot of
(06:36):
opportunity to learn about eachother.
And she's beautiful.
outside but guys inside this issuch a precious amazing person
i wish you will meet her youactually met her before i've met
her she's lovely she's amazingand we've been we're having a
great life together we love todo what we do together and just
(06:56):
that that's how it's happenedactually after we get married we
went to a missionary trip totajikistan where we were a
missionary for one year so weget that experience together
this is pretty awesome
Kristine (07:09):
What do you love to do together?
You're busy being a pastor.
You're busy with your children.
But when you have free timewith Nina and your kids, what do
you love to do
Pastor Yura (07:19):
as a family?
There are two things that welove to do the most.
First of all, we love to go tothe forest just for a picnic.
And me and Nina, we love topick mushrooms.
I'm not sure it's a really bigdeal here in America, but she's
really good, Nina, to know whatwhat mushrooms are good and what
is not really.
So we really love to do thattogether as a family.
(07:41):
And second one, we just love totravel with my kids.
They're that teenager age whereyou just have fun with them
together.
So we just love to spend timetogether, go somewhere.
So it's a fun family life thatwe have and praise God, we have
that special communication withour kids.
We just love to spend timetogether.
Kristine (08:02):
You're an all-in husband.
You're an all-in dad.
You just light up when you talkabout Nina and the kids.
I also want to thank you,Harris and I do, for your
courage to become a pastor.
God planted that seed, andwe're going to talk a lot more
about that.
But first, I want to talk toyou about the war and about your
(08:26):
country and what's happening inyour country.
We think about your country alot.
We pray for your country.
Our hearts are with you all.
But if you'll tell Harris and Iand the listeners, and we'll
have a lot of questions for youthat we're curious about.
Yeah.
But overall, share with thelisteners, what is it like?
(08:48):
What was it like when itstarted?
What's it like today?
And I realize this is heavy.
This is concerning.
And please educate us, PastorYura.
Pastor Yura (09:04):
That's a big question.
And first of all, I have totell you guys, the war is still
happening.
And I don't know how much youhear that on the news, but it's
like daily that they're bombing,attacking our cities, our
towns.
And for me right now, evensitting here, I'm in the US only
(09:25):
for a week, and it's a safeplace over here.
But you know what?
It's always somewhere overthere inside of you knowing that
we as Ukrainians always livewith that, can I say, pressure,
right?
and with feeling what willhappen next.
So I probably will try to go alittle bit to the beginning, how
(09:46):
it's all started for us.
I will tell you, even thoughI'm a pastor, I have to tell
you, I was really scared firstfew weeks because you don't know
what to do.
You have this responsibilityfor your family.
You're thinking about yourkids.
And I wish I will tell you, oh,I was so scared.
(10:06):
courageous, but I was afraid.
Even though I was not tellingthat to my kids, I probably
shared that with my wife.
And what really helped me, thatwas our church.
So we, you have to understand,we planted a church only a year
before the war started.
So it was a littlecongregation, about 30 people.
So guess what we started to dofrom the first day?
(10:28):
I made a call and I said, let'sjust meet together and we will
pray together.
So the idea was to meet atsomebody's home and pray for an
hour.
But because we all were really,can I say, afraid, we didn't
know really what to do, ourlives stopped, so we spent time
like for three, four hours.
(10:49):
We've been just together.
And it's a little bitinteresting because we were
laughing and at the same time wewere laughing we will be crying
on our knees.
And then we will stand up, wewill read Bible, and we will
start laughing again.
And then again, you're talkingabout the news.
But that community of peoplewas really amazing.
(11:11):
And I think none of our churchleft Ukraine.
So I know there is a lot ofUkrainians who left Ukraine and
there is no judgment.
You understand, you know,people want to survive.
But we as a congregation, we,everyone stay together.
And I really talked with myNina three days before the wars
(11:32):
began.
I said, Nina, if you feel likewe have to take our kids and get
away, you know, I can take herand brought you to whatever
European country.
And we've been praying aboutthat.
I remember next morning, she'slike, Yura, I don't know, but I
feel like we have to staytogether.
And guess what?
About two, three months later,a lot of our church members were
(11:55):
coming to me and Nina, and theywere saying, Yura, Nina, we've
been watching you.
So if you will take away yourkids and Nina, that's probably
what we will do.
But because you stayed...
We made decision that we willalso stay.
And I don't want to take thatas a personal pride.
I think that was God who reallygave me this kind, you know,
(12:18):
you have to stay here.
You have to take care about thepeople of Ukraine, about your
church.
And what is really amazing inthe next, you know, those two
months were literally, what dowe do at the church?
You know, like how you do yourministry.
And guess what?
There was a lot of refugees whowere coming to Zolotonosha.
And next one year and half,like what?
18 months, we've been helpingrefugees with food, with
(12:42):
clothes, with everything theyneed.
But the most we've been talkingto them about Jesus Christ.
So in those one year and ahalf, we served to 3,000
families.
And our church grew up from 30people to like 80 people.
Because a lot of those peoplewho stayed in Zolotonosha, they
became a part of our church.
This is amazing that we, youknow, sometimes you do something
(13:05):
that you don't know, like, isit right or not?
But with time, God is justblessing you.
So we have that huge blessing,you know, that our church grew
up, can I say, out of nowhere.
And sometimes I feel I was notready for that, you know, like,
wow, that was amazing.
But we've been doing that.
And at present moment, theoverall situation that's
happening in Ukraine is, I thinkit's a huge pressure daily for
(13:28):
you.
And can I share, for example,with my kids?
So my Benjamin is going toschool, okay?
He finished fifth grade.
So he started school when itwas COVID, and then he continued
to live and go to school duringthe wartime.
So every time there was asiren, and usually during the
(13:51):
day there is two, three sirens,he have to go to shelter to hide
from the missiles or drones,and that education is not
working at all.
And in the beginning, you knowhow that sound when the sirens
will start?
Every kids will be like, yeah,we go to shelter, there is no
(14:12):
lessons.
But it's changed with time.
So right now, kids is not happythat there is siren and they
have to go downstairs to thatshelter.
Everyone is so tired of that.
And the kids understand thatthere is siren, there is
missiles or drones are flying.
That means that somebody willbe hit, somebody will die.
(14:36):
So it's like, not that like,ah, you know, we're missing
lessons.
Just kids overall tired fromthat and have that always.
My Benjamin at school and I seesiren and my instant question,
okay, is he safe?
You know, I feel that's how alot of Ukrainians live.
And I want to express that.
You know, people like asking,Yura, where are you living?
(14:57):
I live in central Ukraine,Zolotonosha town, kind of like
Willmar.
Okay, I think like that sizetown.
And frontline is far away fromus.
Okay, 600 kilometers.
But because of all thismissiles and drones attack,
because of a lot of my friends,church members, my own brothers,
(15:18):
are in the army, you know whatthat means?
That means that I'm constantlyfeeling the war is really
serious, it's really real, andunfortunately, it's impacting
our life.
Does it make sense?
I'm just, you know...
Harris (15:34):
What I'd like to know, Yura, is it's been three years
and about four months since thewar started, and as the
spiritual leader of yourcommunity, of your church, as
just a leader, like you said, byexample...
What is your daily life likeliving in a country that's torn
apart by war?
I
Pastor Yura (15:54):
will share my biggest challenge at present
moment.
It's hard to come up frontevery Sunday and tell people
that you have to rely on Christ,your hope in Jesus Christ,
because we've been praying forso many times.
We've been hoping...
(16:16):
And sometimes, like, you haveto wait.
I believe and I know that Jesusis our King.
I know that He is in thecontrolling of everything.
But sometimes it's so hard.
And I think if you will ask mepersonally what helps you to
keep doing what you do, that wasmy Bible verse, okay?
(16:41):
You remember the story aboutEsther and Mordecai?
Help me with those names.
Okay.
Mordecai and Esther.
You remember that conversationwhen Esther was like, I don't
know if I'm ready for that.
I'm not sure if I'll go andtalk to the king.
You know, I'll be in danger.
And that answer of Mordecai wassomething that helps me to keep
(17:07):
doing what I'm doing and what Icall to do.
The answer of Mordecai was forsuch time as this, you became a
queen.
Me personally, I was never...
I was not planning to be apastor during the war time.
(17:30):
I want to be a pastor, youknow, who worked with teenagers
and kids and families.
And here I am, pastor duringthe war time, who sometimes have
no idea what to do and...
how to deal with that.
But that Bible verse is alwayskeeping me to do what I do, like
(17:55):
for such time as this.
And I think I have that fightinside of me with God, telling
like, God, probably you have tohave another person over there,
you know, somebody who is muchstronger and knows how to deal
with all of that.
But I have that inside of me,that Bible verse, for such time
as this, I put you in thisplace.
(18:17):
And that's what's helping me,you know, to keep doing what I
do.
If there is somethinghappening, you just, you know,
you rely on God.
And I came to a point when Irealized I can't control what's
happening.
I can't really protect my kids.
I'm here right now, my Nina andmy Benjamin at home.
(18:37):
You know what?
I have no idea what can happentomorrow, but I really...
fully trust that to JesusChrist.
And that's what I try to tellour people, support them and
saying, guys, we have to trustGod.
He's controlling that.
And sometimes, you know, wewant to think that some
politics, some countries, someweapon will help us, but I'm not
(19:00):
sure that's where we asChristians should look for help.
It's over there.
So I don't know if I answeredyour question, but in my daily
routine, that for such time asthis, helping me to do what I'm
doing.
Harris (19:17):
I know the loss has been really devastating for Ukraine
as a country.
Being in your 30s, do you havefriends, family, church members,
community members that havedied in the war?
Pastor Yura (19:31):
Definitely.
So there was a statistic sixmonths ago that's saying that
80% of Ukrainians experiencedsomebody, some of their friends
or relatives were killed duringthe war time.
So me personally, so eventhough my two brothers are
(19:52):
fighting from the first days,there are a few church members
who are on the front line.
I don't know of...
really close people that werekilled by army but i have like
during the war time but i knowso many friends in our little
town zolo to nosha that's around30 000 people there are more
(20:13):
than i think 80 or even 90families who lost someone during
the war time like who thesoldiers who were killed we call
them heroes you know thoseheroes so and you know what
that's impact our communitythat's that's a way different
situation that we have a specialin downtown of Zolotonosha,
where all our heroes have theirpictures.
(20:34):
And I don't want to startcrying again.
So me and Nina, sometimes we'rewalking through that, like
valley, right?
Do you say valley?
So we are walking sometimesjust, you know, to remind
ourselves that there was a pricethat our Ukrainians paid.
And there was one guy on thebicycle.
He probably 14, 15 years old,like my Emiliya.
(20:55):
He cried.
came on the bicycle to one ofthis picture, that probably was
his dad.
And he's putting flowers overthere and just standing.
And I didn't have enough wordsto come and say, I'm so thankful
for your dad.
And I feel this loss, you know,I mean, but knowing that this
(21:17):
guy lost his dad in the war isjust, you know, destroying you
inside.
There is no words to express,to tell you.
And there were so many familieswho lost.
There were so many people whoknow somebody who lost someone
during this war.
And this is really hard.
And still, as a church, asChristians, I ask myself, if
(21:42):
Jesus will be here right now,where will he go?
He will probably go to thosefamilies.
He will be with them tosupport, to be just with them.
So that's what we as a churchstarted to do.
About six months ago, February,is it six, four months ago, we
have our first meetings forladies, women who lost someone
(22:06):
during the war, like husband orson.
And we were just with them fornext month where we have a
meeting together.
They were sharing about whothey lost and what that means
for them.
And it was a lot of crying, butin the same time, And during
those meetings, we saw how Godwas just changing their hearts.
So now a few of those ladiesare visiting our church, and I
(22:29):
believe they will become a partof our church.
They are already.
But I think we as a churchshould be with them.
So they say for the first week,everyone is remembering about
us.
But then a week after...
It seems like nobody cares.
We're all by ourselves.
I think they don't need to feellike that.
We as a church should come tothem, should be with them, and
(22:52):
just support whatever how we canhelp that.
We are going to do that.
Kristine (22:56):
Pastor, in my heart, you are a hero.
You've said yes to yourcalling.
You're living out your faithand purpose and doing kingdom
work.
And we're so grateful for thedifference that you're making in
the lives of others.
Your brothers are also heroesin my heart.
(23:20):
Can you tell us right now, howdo you describe what the front
lines like in Zolotonosha?
Pastor Yura (23:30):
Front line, I afraid to say something not
really correctly.
This is something where, can Isay, real fights happening.
so it's about 600 kilometersfrom for roma's east Ukraine and
also right now it's really onthe north of part of
Ukraine, Sumschyna region wherethe fights happen in like daily
(23:53):
and yeah it's hard for me totell about that because I was
never there and you know i don'twant to say something that will
be offended for soldiers orwhatever but that's over there
is Bad, dangerous, you reallysacrifice your life over there.
But in the same time, centralUkraine, where it seems like,
(24:16):
you know, not war zone, butstill because of that constantly
pressure of not knowing what ifone of the missile or one of
the drones, the goal is to hitZolotynusha, right?
And you always have this reallyinside pressure Can I say
anxious?
No.
What word I will use?
(24:37):
Anxious.
You're kind of afraid.
Like even here.
So my Emiliya, my daughter,she's here with me.
She will stay for another monthhere.
Praise God.
I mean, God bless her.
But we came here and I toldher, Emiliya, you know, you can
kind of say relax here.
It's safe here.
(24:59):
No missiles, no drones areflying here.
Like you really can...
Can't do this, you know.
A few days ago, she ran into myroom and she's like, dad, do
you hear this?
And she looks so scared.
I'm like, what's happening?
Like, dad, do you hear this?
And Don Marcus, which we'restaying, she just were doing
(25:21):
mowing, okay?
But because that sounds like adrones, my Emiliya instantly
feel this, can I say, fear,right?
What if that's a drone that isflying over our house?
Because every night we sleepwith open windows, you know,
with fresh air.
You hear every night thosedrones are flying over you.
(25:43):
And that sounds really like amoving machine.
And for her, it was so...
I'm like, Emiliya, you like,calm down, relax.
But she's living with that forlast three and a half years.
And I'm just thinking how manyUkrainian kids...
And teenagers and adults arehaving that fear of what if.
(26:04):
And I think this is somedeep...
How do you say that word?
Like, just that is sitting inyou and it's so hard.
And as I said, personally forme, even though I'm here in a
really safe place, I always havethat.
You know, you're reading news,you're checking, Nina, how are
(26:26):
you doing?
Are you okay?
it's always like there was awar in my country.
So it's war that we allaffected by war.
Even though we're not on thefrontline, we all affected by
war.
Harris (26:40):
As a Christian, we're called to forgive, not have
hatred towards anyone.
How do you feel towards peoplethat are invading your country?
How do you hold yourself backfrom having hate?
Pastor Yura (26:54):
Yeah.
I'm not sure I'm ready to talkabout that.
The book of Psalms became soreal for us and so different.
So there is Psalms where Davidwas talking about, you know, he
was thankful to God.
And, you know, you always lovethose.
(27:16):
But there is Psalms where Davidwas cursing his enemies.
I hope you read that.
And the previous time, I'mlike, what are you talking
about?
You can't say that.
But then at some point, what'shappening right now, it's not
more about hate.
(27:36):
It's more about God, you punishthem.
God, I believe he isrighteousness.
I know that he's the God whowill be on the Righteousness
side.
And we, all Ukrainians, no, wedidn't invade that country.
All we do, we just defend ourcountry.
(27:56):
Okay, so what my prayer,usually God destroy our enemies.
God give us opportunity to livein free, independent country.
So I think we can talk aboutforgiveness right now.
We can talk about that becauseforgiveness will come when
(28:17):
Russians will say, Pleaseforgive us.
It's so hard to talk with momwho lost her, or let's say a
wife who lost her husband andtell her you have to forgive.
But I think the time will comewhen we will be ready to talk
about it.
At present moment, it's a toughone.
It's way different from what itwas before the war.
(28:40):
It was easy to talk aboutforgiveness, but it's something
that's really tough to talkabout right now.
We've been...
sharing and talking about that.
I know you don't have to havehate in your heart, but this
Monday, you probably read aboutthat, how many people were
killed in Kyiv.
And I saw those pictures, andmy friend living two minutes
(29:02):
away from that, and he said, Ispent all my night in the bath,
at the restroom, so I can sleepwith my kids there, somehow to
protect myself.
I'm not going to tell him youhave to forgive your enemies.
It's not really possible for usright now.
Harris (29:25):
It's
Pastor Yura (29:26):
a difficult
Harris (29:26):
one.
Yeah.
Well, to hear about how theperspective has changed even
about like the Bible verse.
Pastor Yura (29:31):
Oh, yes.
Harris (29:32):
Through life, how God will speak to you through your
experiences.
And I've heard a lot and seen alot that like through
challenges and through hardtimes, God works.
Yes.
How has he worked through yourministry directly during the
war?
Is it...
made it more difficult?
Pastor Yura (29:49):
Oh, yes.
As I told you before, we were alittle congregation, little
church, a lot of youth, a lot ofteenagers, some young families.
But during this time of war,and just God brought so many
(30:14):
people to us.
You know, it's...
I love that.
I was always thinking that Iwill be a pastor for younger
generation, you know, teenagers,kids, young families.
But now we have that, you know,six years old kids and like,
you know, 70 years old, notkids, how you call them, adults,
you know, but God somehow usedour church.
(30:34):
And sometimes, you know, myanswer is like, I don't know,
you know, God just bringingthese people.
So we working a lot right nowwith kids.
So when we planted the church,we started a sports Christian
football academy, okay?
And we have just two coachesfrom our church who love soccer
(30:55):
and who love kids.
So we started with kids and wehave only 14 kids, okay?
So right now we have over 100kids who twice a week, will go
for practice or training, buttheir coaches will not just do
the coaching part.
They will do Bible lesson.
(31:15):
They will talk about Jesus.
They will be showing example.
And for me, see that community,not only of kids, but also
their parents is pretty crazyamazing because I believe God is
doing something.
One of our biggest challenge atpresent moment.
So this is a good problem tosolve.
The place where we are meetingas a church, Just don't really
(31:38):
have enough space.
So people can stand because wedon't have enough space.
And we've been looking andsearching everywhere, you know,
like what we can rent orwhatever.
And we just don't really haveit.
So one of our dream that starthappening over here, we want to
build a church that will be, canI say community church?
There is a different culturebackground.
(32:00):
Mostly our churches will beopen on Sunday, you know, and
close on Sunday.
There is a song.
Somebody was singing, close onSunday, you, my chick, do you
know that song?
Yeah, I don't remember who wassinging that.
But during the week, nothinghappened, okay?
And I want to live differentchurch life.
I believe that church should beopen every day and it should be
(32:23):
available for community.
So one of my dream in October,when I will be back, I want to
start a fundraising campaign sowe can build a community, can I
say community building church,where we will be open to invite
teenagers.
So I'm just looking that wasthat perspective.
I have 14 years old girl,Emiliya.
(32:44):
When it's summer, you can gosomewhere hanging out.
What about winter?
She doesn't have like, you haveso many opportunities to go and
spend time.
My kids don't.
And there is all the kids overthere in Zolotonosha who you can
reach, who you can invite.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
You say, I told you, I need alot of space.
Kristine (33:06):
I love your passion.
And I want to have thatopportunity to say, hey,
teenagers, you know, church onWednesday is open for you.
Just come.
You can play in the gym.
You can drink coffee.
You can do whatever becausethat's a place for you to meet
and And just to share gospel, toshow that we Christians are
really cool and awesome people.
And honestly, you can findhope.
(33:26):
You can find the meaningfullife.
Can I say meaningful, right?
Meaning for your life.
You know, you can find passionto live your life.
And that's where my heart is.
Sometimes it seems so unreal.
But in the same time, I havethis, can I say, that's for me,
it's God's size dream.
Because for me, it'simpossible, but there is nothing
(33:47):
impossible for my God.
And we already did three prettygood steps.
We made communication with ourgovernment, okay?
So we as a little church, onlylike four years.
You know, when I met with themsix months ago, and I said, I'm
a pastor, and they're like, weknow who you are.
We've been watching yourchurch.
(34:07):
We know that there is hundredsof families that you help to,
you support to.
So what do you want?
And honestly, I said, we need aland that we can buy or rent.
So our government is giving ustwo hectares of the land.
And we are right now in thatprocess.
So we can build on.
And, you know, sometimes peopleask me, like, is it the right
time right now?
(34:28):
That's how I live.
You can't wait until the warwill be over.
You have to be ready right now.
You have to do it right nowbecause when the war will be
over, it will be already toolate.
So as a visionary guy, I seelike Tuesday will be a war
veterans day.
I was an American Legion here.
(34:48):
And where our war veterans canmeet?
What if our church will be aplace where, you know, Families
can come and they know that's asafe place for them to come,
spend time together, you know,do some gym stuff, drink coffee.
One of the day will be ateenager's day, you know, ladies
day.
So I'm just dreaming.
Sometimes, as I said, it seemslike so unreal.
(35:11):
But in the same time, Ivisioned that and I said, God,
we want to be a church that notonly impacting our people, but
we want to impact community.
So that's where my heart is.
I'm, can I say, praying forthis.
I'm fighting for this.
And I'm like saying, Mycommunity, guys, we have to
pray.
And I have this, you know, ameeting with all these parents
(35:31):
from Sports Kids Club, and wedon't have our own stadium.
So we just use a stadium fromlike this area.
how we say, warm months.
And then during the winter,it's hard to find a facility
where kids can, you know, playand have their own place.
And I met with everyone andsaid, guys, here's what is in my
heart.
I want you to support that.
(35:52):
And everyone was like, yes, weneed that.
You know, even though they'renot part of our church, but they
just have this understandinghow cool it is to have a church
that will be not only open andclosed on Sunday, but will be
available every, every day forthe community.
This is something will be,honestly, in my own perspective,
really unique and specialbecause mostly all those
(36:15):
churches will be built in bigtowns, you know, Kyiv, Lviv.
And I have this crazy dream.
We can be example, little town,but can impact way bigger
community.
If you'll go with me todowntown of Zolotonosha, one day
you'll come to Ukraine.
I was walking with my Benji.
He was four years old.
Because I know everyone.
(36:37):
It's like, you know, littletown, and it's different than
you have it.
Like, you go downtown, peopleeverywhere, okay?
And I know everyone.
I'm like, hi, hello, hello,hello.
And my dad just said, dad, youare a superstar over here.
And I believe you have hugeimpact because people know who
you are.
But for me, it's always opendoors, you know, to share gospel
(36:59):
and bring people to Jesus.
Harris (37:01):
That's so inspiring to hear how the church has become a
place of refuge during the war.
I love that phrase, refuge.
And then to hear how you guysare, even during the time of
war, you're reaching out to morepeople and trying to build a
new church and stepping intothat with faith.
That's a really,really awesome story.
Pastor Yura (37:18):
story.
It is easy to share becausethis is somewhere over here and
you're like, I wish.
Next podcast, if we will recordwith you, will be after we...
launch our building.
What do you think about
Harris (37:32):
that?
And hopefully I come toZolotonosho.
I'd love to.
Kristine (37:36):
Well, we love your heart.
Your heart in the toughest oftimes to say, This is my vision.
This is my dream.
A place that can be open everyday for people to commune with
each other, communicate witheach other, laugh with each
other, cry, pray.
We're going to continue to praywith you, Pastor Yura, that
(37:59):
that dream comes true.
And thank you for your courageto step out and do what you can.
to encourage us to make thatpossible.
I wanna ask you a questionabout the vulnerability of
people.
So you're a pastor, and I haveto say again, my husband and I
(38:20):
fell in love with the hearts ofthe Ukrainians 24 years ago.
I love Ukraine, I love thehearts of your people, and you
have so much to be proud of andso much to celebrate.
Would you say in these toughtimes as a pastor, will people
be vulnerable with you?
(38:40):
Do they come to you alone or ingroups and share?
And how do people open up toyou as a pastor and invite you
into their life?
Pastor Yura (38:56):
There is few stages.
And again, this is my ownperspective.
For the first few months, wewere really, maybe really close.
Everyone was thinking onlyabout themselves.
And I think it's even kind ofthe correct way how your body,
your emotions will react.
(39:16):
Because we have a church as acommunity, we've been always
together, right?
But not really withcommunicating with other people.
You know, we were always like,you know, like thinking and,
okay, what I'm going to do, youknow?
Then the second part wasreally, as you said, more open,
and we saw a lot of new peoplein the church during that maybe
(39:37):
two years, okay?
So what I think right now,because people are so tired from
the war, people who's not goingto church is really asking a
tough question.
Is God real?
Is our prayers really...
meaning, have some meaning, isreally God listening to us.
(40:02):
You know, so people right noware really, can I say, it seems
like they close again to God.
Because, you know, you'rewaiting for one week, two week,
month, year, and it's alreadyalmost three and a half years.
And I do understand thepeople's hearts right now.
You know, when Even watchingInstagram stories, okay?
(40:26):
I'm a lot of in Instagram, mykids there.
Usually, you know, they willpost something like, you know,
about some destroying or peoplewere killed and they were like,
Putin, we're praying and blah,blah, blah.
And like, you know, thoseimportant messages.
Right now, it's a lot of, asyou said before, hate.
It's a lot of that, you know,for how long it's going to be.
(40:50):
So a lot of people will comeand ask me, like, you as a
pastor, give us an answer, youknow, when it will be over.
Is really God listening to us?
And you know what?
I learned something.
I don't need to defend God.
You know what?
And I really can't.
I can't speak for God.
(41:10):
He is pretty, how you say, Hewill give an answer.
Sometimes I just don't.
don't have an answer.
And this is really tough.
But in the same time, I came toa point when you realize
sometimes people want to ask youand just give them opportunity
(41:32):
to express what they feelinside, what's happening over
there, you know.
But some of those questions,sometimes you're coming back
home and ask that question, am Ia good pastor to help people to
find the answers?
And I'm talking with a lot ofpastors.
(41:52):
They feel the same way.
It's so tough and so hard togive an answer for those
questions.
And when we did that meetingwith ladies who lost husband or
son, there was sometimes aquestion where you don't need to
give an answer.
And I remember Job, he wasasking God's question.
(42:15):
There are so many Bible heroeswho've been asking God, got
questions and really they neverreceived an answer so it's it's
tough to be christian in Ukraineright now it's tough to be
pastor but on there's other sideof that this is the best time
to be a christian that this iswhat you're hoping for you you
(42:40):
rely your god on your life onjesus christ you know who is
your real refuge guys eventhough i'm saying it's safe
place over here I'm sorry, it'snot.
There is none safe placeanywhere.
My refuge, only in Him.
And sometimes it's hard.
I don't have an answer forthose questions.
Kristine (43:01):
Pastor Europe, you make me really emotional.
And I think, I've said it acouple times, but it was your
country that made me fall inlove with the world.
It was your country and yourpeople that made me fall in love
with missions.
And I know in my heart ofhearts, you ask yourself, am I a
good pastor?
I know from the bottom of myheart, you're an incredible
(43:25):
pastor.
Thank you for saying yes to thecall.
How do you and Nina stayencouraged?
No pressure.
How do you stay encouraged?
Pastor Yura (43:40):
In the midst of this, I have to share the best
story of my life.
during my wartime.
This is the best story becauseit's my personal story.
So I've been a pastor, right?
And I have two kids.
So when my Benji was five, herepented.
(44:00):
Real repentance, you know, likeI do believe kids can repent
from the deep of their heart.
But my Emiliya, she neverprayed, you know, that prayer.
And every time we will talkwith her, she is like, her
answer will be like, I don'tknow, you know, I'm not ready.
(44:21):
And you don't want to, can Isay pressure?
You don't want to say, you dothat because your dad's saying
that.
That's the stupidest thing.
And it was like, you know, shewill live her life.
She will come to Jesus Christ.
She will know him.
But you have to understand.
Thank you.
When the war began, it's adifferent story.
What if something happened andmy Emiliya never met Jesus in
(44:53):
person?
And I remember after a fewmonths of the war, we were just
sitting on the table, me,Emiliya, Benjamin, Nina.
And I said, hey, Emiliya, hereis a big question.
That's what really kind ofworry.
I'm so worried about it.
So tomorrow missile will hitour home and we all will die.
(45:15):
I know where I'm going.
I know where is Nina going.
I know what's Benjamin'sfuture.
Emiliya, what about you?
And she never answered thatquestion.
She just quietly did this.
And for me, it's not about thepastor.
(45:35):
It's about me as a dad.
I'm like, how I will...
I can't make her to repent.
That should be her owndecision, right?
And That was my prayer.
Like every night, God just giveher that, open her eyes, open
her heart.
And we kind of came to a pointwith Nina when we thought, you
(45:56):
know, she needs a lot of time tolive through, you know, maybe
some problems she will gothrough.
So she will really, she knowseverything about God, but she
don't know Him personally.
So we were doing our firstteenager camp.
We brought 70 teenagers to WestUkraine.
We have a great week, you know,the first time we did it.
(46:17):
And then in the end of the lastday, we have this repentance
calling.
You know, like if somebodywants to come, and guess who?
My Emiliya.
She was first who stepped in,and as soon as she came, we just
(46:37):
started crying, both of us.
For five minutes, we're like,she couldn't pray, she couldn't
say a word.
I am like Emiliya.
We have to pray.
There is a line of people overthere waiting.
But I will tell that was thebest for me to know that, can I
say, her future is secured.
No matter what's happened.
(46:58):
I know that is why I have thispeace in my heart.
And I trust God.
You know, everything canhappen.
But I know there is future forall of my family.
There is something to happen.
I know we all will be togetherin heaven.
And after that meeting of Godwith Emiliya, she's changed.
Guys, I mean, it's not like sherepented.
(47:22):
No, no, I'm telling you, she'sa different person.
So it was so hard for her tocome and say, Dad, I'm sorry.
After that, I remember she cameto me like, Dad, I'm sorry.
I'm like, wow, are you askingforgiveness, Emiliya?
What's wrong with you?
And just to see how she'spassionate right now about
ministry, She's involved in thekids ministry.
(47:42):
She's helping with our churchweb, not website, Instagram.
She wants to help withteenagers.
And she said, dad, you know, Ithink I want to be baptized very
soon.
So just to see that, this is mybest personal story.
And I have this picture.
My Nina even took a picture ofus when we're hanging out
(48:04):
together and we're crying.
It's actually a really badpicture because of lightning and
all of that.
But that picture will be alwaysin my heart because I have this
amazing opportunity, not as apastor, as a dad, to pray
together with your daughter andsee her coming to Jesus Christ.
This is my best story.
(48:25):
Amen.
I'm done.
Kristine (48:29):
We celebrate with you.
Yes.
And you made me cry hard.
Harris (48:37):
I have one more question.
You're a From someone, from myperspective, that feels helpless
in this conflict, and I'm suremany other listeners, what do
you have to say to us?
What can we do to help you,your family, the
Pastor Yura (48:58):
country of Ukraine?
I have to say that I don't feelthat you are not helping us.
I do feel...
On the personal level.
I'm here only for a week.
And I'm meeting with a lot ofpeople.
And I really feel the supportfrom you.
From everyone I meet.
(49:19):
Everyone is interested.
Everyone in Europe will prayfor you.
And I do know you're doing it.
We're supporting.
In different ways.
Financially.
In praying.
In your conversation withothers.
So I want to...
I don't know if I have enoughwords to express how we as
(49:39):
Ukrainian nation, I will saythat from my congregation, I
will say this personally frommyself, I'm so thankful that in
the beginning of the war, you asa country, you as a nation, can
I say, step in and say we arewith you.
And we did feel that support.
And at present moment, what Iwill ask, please, please
(50:02):
continue to pray for us.
Please try to read the news toknow what's really happening.
Unfortunately, I don't knowhow...
Do you read that right now alot about Ukraine in the news?
But guys, it's not about, can Isay, politics.
It's about lives of people likeI am, who are, every one of us,
affected by war.
And I don't want to say thatsounds really big, but I'm not
(50:26):
sure we can do that without you,without your support.
Yes?
We do have God who we rely on,but there is always other people
who support.
So if you have Ukrainianfriends, you know, write a
message to them.
Just that little note, hey, wepray for you.
We support you.
It is so encouraging was for meduring the first days, I
(50:48):
received so many messages frompeople who I don't really know,
who I know for many years, butnot really contact.
And just that little note, hey,we pray for you.
We support you how we can help.
And also looking in the future,I believe there will be huge
opportunities to come toUkraine, do the outreach,
(51:08):
support, help, bless the peopleof Ukraine.
Because we are going to be backwith a lot of, can I say,
wounded people, a lot of peoplewho've been living through the
wartime.
So we will be so happy to seeyou again.
helping us, supporting us,doing something together with
us.
But I want to say thank you.
But guys, the war is not over.
(51:30):
If you can be with us right nowat this moment, we really need
you.
So if there is anything you canpray, help.
If you see there is somefinancial need, just donate,
help.
We really need you guys.
And I want to say thank you forbeing with us during all this
time.
Kristine (51:52):
Something that I've always admired in you now with
the war going on, before thewar, since the first day I ever
met you, and yet today with howbeautiful your family is, but
how heavy things are andconcerning and sad in your
country, you still are the samePastor Yura with tremendous
(52:17):
peace and and tremendous joy,and I can't help but think that
comes from your faith in Christ.
Will you speak to us more?
You're just a joyful man, andyou're carrying a lot, and
you've already said it, but youalso have a lot of peace within
(52:38):
all that's going on.
As a pastor, how can youencourage the listeners, maybe
they're a believer, maybethey're not a believer and
they're searching, but how canyou encourage all of us as a
pastor where that peace and joycomes from?
Pastor Yura (52:57):
I think my wife knows that she can see me in a
different era, because sometimesI'm not really joyful.
But there is something abouther that she just finds the
words sometimes, not always, tosupport me, to encourage me.
(53:22):
So she probably will be the onewho will not always see Yura,
who is happy, who is peaceful.
But I will tell, I took thatfrom probably my parents, and
especially from my mom and dad,who I learned...
how to be peaceful and joyfulno matter what.
And I think also there is agift from God.
(53:44):
I just, this is not something Ican make it, but just God gave
me this gift of encouragement.
And I do that all the time,even though I'm like, I never
have been trained to do that,okay?
How I would love to encourageevery one of you and those who's
(54:06):
listening and watching us uh iwas reading so many times that
bible verse god is my refugeokay so many times before the
war and i never knew what thatmeans even though i can't
understand it but i never knowwhat that means god is my refuge
okay when the war began wheneverything was happening there
(54:31):
was so much much to tell you andwe don't have time for that but
that that Bible verse became soreal to me.
And I think you live in rightnow in your country, so many
challenges and everything that'shappening, whom you can trust,
who you can rely to witheverything that's happening, who
(54:54):
you go to.
Here is my message to every oneof you and to me reminding
again, God is my refuge.
He's the one who I can come toAnd over there I will find
peace, I will find real joy, andthat's where I'm telling, even
though I fly from Ukraine here,and saying this is a safe place
(55:17):
over here, if be honest, thesafe place is only in Him.
So my message will be for you,God is your refuge.
So go to Him, find time withHim, and be with Him.
The biggest blessing that youcan have.
Because by Him, I will findpeace and joy in my heart.
(55:39):
That will, from inside, you cansee outside.
Does it make sense for youguys?
I hope so.
Kristine (55:48):
How much it makes sense.
You know, I thought that wewere going to encourage you
today.
Pastor Yura (55:53):
You did.
Kristine (55:54):
And the opposite is true.
Here you come.
from your country in wartime.
You make us cry several times.
I have goosebumps over and overthe last hour.
And in true Pastor Yurafashion, you've encouraged us
like you wouldn't believe.
Harris (56:14):
What really struck me about the conversation was just
amidst all the pain and the hurtand the sadness of the war, how
many epiphanies or realizationsthat you've had that the Lord
is your refuge and that you'vereally turned to the Lord and
your church and your communityand your daughter turning to the
(56:34):
Lord.
It's just so many cool thingsto see how the Lord is working
amidst the war and the pain andthe struggle.
Thank you for sharing.
It's been a real honor to beable to listen to you.
Pastor Yura (56:46):
Yeah, thank you.
This is a great opportunity toshare I never told them the name
of our church is Open Heart.
And when we came with thatname, we never knew what our
church will really, that thatname of the church, Open Heart,
will be so meaningful for somany people.
Because during the war, therewere so many closed hearts.
(57:09):
But when they meet Open Heart,that can change your entire
life.
So I want to say thank you frommyself and from my open heart
church for this opportunity.
I never knew I will be here,but this is so amazing to share
our story, to share what we'regoing through.
But I want to say thank you fornot afraid to ask me those
(57:33):
tough questions and just that Ican be with you.
And one day, somebody of youwill come to Ukraine and you
will experience the best countryever.
Kristine (57:42):
We are going to come and we're going to visit you and
be with your people and love onyou all and see you in person
being a pastor at Open HeartChurch.
I just want to encourage thelisteners, as Pastor Yura said,
pray for Pastor Yura, his wifeNina, their family, their
(58:04):
country, their church.
If anyone would like to partnerwith them financially, Get a
hold of us and we will give youthe opportunity to do so.
But thank you so much.
We're so encouraged.
We're so proud of the man ofGod that you are, the character
of who you are.
You've inspired us.
(58:25):
You've educated us.
You've encouraged all of us tocontinue to go make a difference
and to pray and to be with yourcountry and to have learned
even more.
But we're with you.
And I want you to do one thing.
On the One Pebble podcast, weallow the guest to throw out the
(58:47):
last pebble.
But I want your last pebble tobe speaking in Ukraine.
Pastor Yura (58:54):
Oh, easy.
Kristine (58:55):
So let's do probably a 30-second prayer in Ukrainian.
Okay.
for your country, for ourlisteners to pray with us and to
be able to hear you speak inUkrainian.
God's richest blessings.
We thank you for being a partof our podcast today.
Thank
Pastor Yura (59:15):
you.
Let's pray.
The war that continues in ourcountry.
I want to pray for your specialblessing, Lord.
(59:35):
Please stop this war.
Please give us the ability tolive in a free, independent
country.
Lord, defeat all our enemiesand give us the opportunity to
build our free country.
Lord, we rely on you.
We trust you.
We know that you are the onlyone who can change the whole
situation in one moment.
Amen.
(59:56):
Amen.
Thank you.
Kristine (01:00:24):
This has been the One Pebble Podcast.
One pebble, so many ripples.
What will you do to make adifference?
This is the One Pebble Podcast.
I'm your host, Kristine.
Welcome to the One PebblePodcast.
Today, it brings my son andco-host and I great joy to be
visiting with Pastor YuraFederuk.
(00:23):
Yura, did I say that
Pastor Yura (00:25):
correctly?
Yes, almost.
Kristine (00:26):
How do you say
Pastor Yura (00:27):
it?
Yura Fedoruk.
Yura Fedoruk.
Yes, I love that.
That Yura was really perfect.
That was really good.
Kristine (00:34):
I have to say that Pastor Yura, I've known him for
many, many years from Ukraine,is one of my favorite people on
this whole earth.
If you think I have...
Passion and energy and joy.
This guy is amazing.
And wait till you hear PastorYura's heart today.
(00:55):
We're going to have so muchfun.
We are going to talk about hislife.
We're going to talk about hisministry.
We're also going to talk aboutand learn a lot about the war
today.
And I think it'll be acaptivating hour.
He's only in the United Statesfor a week, back for a visit.
Sit down with Harris and I, andwe're so excited to learn more
(01:20):
about you, more about yourheart, your ministry, and your
country.
Harris, are you excited?
Harris (01:26):
Thank you for coming on.
I'm super excited.
I think as an American, we heara lot about the war in Ukraine,
and I just really like to hearabout what's the war like from a
perspective of someone that'son the ground, that lives there,
outside of the whole medialight of things.
Pastor Yura (01:44):
Yeah, thank you.
I will be happy to share.
That's an honor for me to behere.
I really was not expecting, youknow, I will be doing this, but
I'm so happy to share and tellyou more of what's happening in
Ukraine and honestly what'shappening in our church.
So awesome.
Thank you for the opportunityto be here.
Kristine (02:01):
Thank you.
Pastor Yura, I want you tostart by telling us about your
family and a little bit aboutUkraine.
I have to tell you, I fell inlove with your country, my
husband and I, 24 years ago.
We went on a two-week missiontrip with our church, Refuge
(02:21):
Church in Willmar, to Ukraine.
And really, my love of theworld, my love of missions,
started in your country.
And so...
Pastor Yura (02:31):
Hallelujah.
That's what I'll say.
Pastor
Kristine (02:34):
Jira, tell us about your family.
Pastor Yura (02:37):
So should I start like with my family where I was
born?
So I was born in a little town,Zolotonosha.
My parents were not Christians.
They were living kind of atough life.
But when I was seven years old,my parents came to Christ and
my dad...
Dad's life changed, can I say,rapidly.
Like he was that guy, you know,who smoked, who drank alcohol.
(03:01):
It always was fight in my home.
But as soon as my dad came toChrist, his entire life changed.
And all the atmosphere,everything in my family just
literally changed.
And probably here is a story Iremember.
So my dad on Sunday, he came upfront and he repented.
So we came back home, eatinglunch, and my dad started
(03:23):
smoking.
And then, oh, no.
I'm like, I repented.
I'm not going to do that.
So he take his cigarette and hetell me and my brother who's
sitting in the kitchen, hey,this is my last cigarette.
And he put it on the window andwe're like, oh my gosh, you
know, we heard that for so manyyears, so many times.
Guess what?
He never came back to smoke andhis life just changed rapidly.
(03:45):
And see that was really amazingfor me to see that God really
can change people's life.
And my personal story is,really connected with Americans.
So in 1993, it was first kidscamp, adventure camp, whatever
how you say, VBS camp, that'shappened in our church.
So I was there for the firsttime.
(04:06):
Like, can you imagine?
Like for us who doesn't havegood childhood, to have camp
with Americans, singing allthose songs.
And what I felt at that time,those Americans really love me.
So usually I'm that kind of kidwho was really...
Like, you know, everyone willsay, Yura, shut up.
Yura, be quiet.
(04:26):
Yura, you know, stand still.
I was like really active.
And I felt so much love fromAmericans who just love me.
And guess what?
In the end of the camp, Irepented.
And I have to share that.
It's deeply, as soon as Irepented, I have that little
dream in my heart.
(04:46):
I want to be a pastor.
And that was always somewhereover there, even though with few
years later, when I was ateenager, I came to a point when
I realized I will never be apastor.
You know why?
Because my pastor was really aserious person.
He never jokes.
He's like, you know, nosmiling.
(05:07):
And I was a different person.
I'm like, ah, I will never be apastor.
Pastors should be different.
But, you know, God has hissense of humor.
God knows what he was doing.
And Four years ago, I planted achurch and I became a pastor
for those people who are aroundme.
So that's a great story.
Right now, I'm married.
I'm married for 15 years.
God made a miracle.
(05:28):
My wife, Nina, she still lovesme.
So this is a big miracle, guys.
And I have two amazing kids.
So my daughter, Emiliya, she's14.
And my son, Benjamin, he's 10years old.
Am I good here or more?
Just, you know, help me overhere because I can talk for, you
know, for a long period oftime.
Kristine (05:47):
I love it.
How did you meet Nina?
Pastor Yura (05:50):
Yeah, so I met Nina at Kiev Christian University.
I was a freshman.
She was last year.
How do you call that?
Senior year?
Yep.
So I was pretty good infighting for her.
Who chased who?
Probably I was chasing her,right?
Is it chase, right?
But she's so beautiful andbeautiful.
(06:13):
So we've been dating for threeyears because she finished
university and she was waitingfor me to finish university.
So actually she was workingwhile I was still in my
university, Christianuniversity, because I told her I
want my life to dedicate to Godand whatever he will call me, I
want to do his work.
So she was patiently waitingfor me.
But that those three years ofdating gave us a lot of
(06:36):
opportunity to learn about eachother.
And she's beautiful.
outside but guys inside this issuch a precious amazing person
i wish you will meet her youactually met her before i've met
her she's lovely she's amazingand we've been we're having a
great life together we love todo what we do together and just
(06:56):
that that's how it's happenedactually after we get married we
went to a missionary trip totajikistan where we were a
missionary for one year so weget that experience together
this is pretty awesome
Kristine (07:09):
What do you love to do together?
You're busy being a pastor.
You're busy with your children.
But when you have free timewith Nina and your kids, what do
you love to do
Pastor Yura (07:19):
as a family?
There are two things that welove to do the most.
First of all, we love to go tothe forest just for a picnic.
And me and Nina, we love topick mushrooms.
I'm not sure it's a really bigdeal here in America, but she's
really good, Nina, to know whatwhat mushrooms are good and what
is not really.
So we really love to do thattogether as a family.
(07:41):
And second one, we just love totravel with my kids.
They're that teenager age whereyou just have fun with them
together.
So we just love to spend timetogether, go somewhere.
So it's a fun family life thatwe have and praise God, we have
that special communication withour kids.
We just love to spend timetogether.
Kristine (08:02):
You're an all-in husband.
You're an all-in dad.
You just light up when you talkabout Nina and the kids.
I also want to thank you,Harris and I do, for your
courage to become a pastor.
God planted that seed, andwe're going to talk a lot more
about that.
But first, I want to talk toyou about the war and about your
(08:26):
country and what's happening inyour country.
We think about your country alot.
We pray for your country.
Our hearts are with you all.
But if you'll tell Harris and Iand the listeners, and we'll
have a lot of questions for youthat we're curious about.
Yeah.
But overall, share with thelisteners, what is it like?
(08:48):
What was it like when itstarted?
What's it like today?
And I realize this is heavy.
This is concerning.
And please educate us, PastorYura.
Pastor Yura (09:04):
That's a big question.
And first of all, I have totell you guys, the war is still
happening.
And I don't know how much youhear that on the news, but it's
like daily that they're bombing,attacking our cities, our
towns.
And for me right now, evensitting here, I'm in the US only
(09:25):
for a week, and it's a safeplace over here.
But you know what?
It's always somewhere overthere inside of you knowing that
we as Ukrainians always livewith that, can I say, pressure,
right?
and with feeling what willhappen next.
So I probably will try to go alittle bit to the beginning, how
(09:46):
it's all started for us.
I will tell you, even thoughI'm a pastor, I have to tell
you, I was really scared firstfew weeks because you don't know
what to do.
You have this responsibilityfor your family.
You're thinking about yourkids.
And I wish I will tell you, oh,I was so scared.
(10:06):
courageous, but I was afraid.
Even though I was not tellingthat to my kids, I probably
shared that with my wife.
And what really helped me, thatwas our church.
So we, you have to understand,we planted a church only a year
before the war started.
So it was a littlecongregation, about 30 people.
So guess what we started to dofrom the first day?
(10:28):
I made a call and I said, let'sjust meet together and we will
pray together.
So the idea was to meet atsomebody's home and pray for an
hour.
But because we all were really,can I say, afraid, we didn't
know really what to do, ourlives stopped, so we spent time
like for three, four hours.
(10:49):
We've been just together.
And it's a little bitinteresting because we were
laughing and at the same time wewere laughing we will be crying
on our knees.
And then we will stand up, wewill read Bible, and we will
start laughing again.
And then again, you're talkingabout the news.
But that community of peoplewas really amazing.
(11:11):
And I think none of our churchleft Ukraine.
So I know there is a lot ofUkrainians who left Ukraine and
there is no judgment.
You understand, you know,people want to survive.
But we as a congregation, we,everyone stay together.
And I really talked with myNina three days before the wars
(11:32):
began.
I said, Nina, if you feel likewe have to take our kids and get
away, you know, I can take herand brought you to whatever
European country.
And we've been praying aboutthat.
I remember next morning, she'slike, Yura, I don't know, but I
feel like we have to staytogether.
And guess what?
About two, three months later,a lot of our church members were
(11:55):
coming to me and Nina, and theywere saying, Yura, Nina, we've
been watching you.
So if you will take away yourkids and Nina, that's probably
what we will do.
But because you stayed...
We made decision that we willalso stay.
And I don't want to take thatas a personal pride.
I think that was God who reallygave me this kind, you know,
(12:18):
you have to stay here.
You have to take care about thepeople of Ukraine, about your
church.
And what is really amazing inthe next, you know, those two
months were literally, what dowe do at the church?
You know, like how you do yourministry.
And guess what?
There was a lot of refugees whowere coming to Zolotonosha.
And next one year and half,like what?
18 months, we've been helpingrefugees with food, with
(12:42):
clothes, with everything theyneed.
But the most we've been talkingto them about Jesus Christ.
So in those one year and ahalf, we served to 3,000
families.
And our church grew up from 30people to like 80 people.
Because a lot of those peoplewho stayed in Zolotonosha, they
became a part of our church.
This is amazing that we, youknow, sometimes you do something
(13:05):
that you don't know, like, isit right or not?
But with time, God is justblessing you.
So we have that huge blessing,you know, that our church grew
up, can I say, out of nowhere.
And sometimes I feel I was notready for that, you know, like,
wow, that was amazing.
But we've been doing that.
And at present moment, theoverall situation that's
happening in Ukraine is, I thinkit's a huge pressure daily for
(13:28):
you.
And can I share, for example,with my kids?
So my Benjamin is going toschool, okay?
He finished fifth grade.
So he started school when itwas COVID, and then he continued
to live and go to school duringthe wartime.
So every time there was asiren, and usually during the
(13:51):
day there is two, three sirens,he have to go to shelter to hide
from the missiles or drones,and that education is not
working at all.
And in the beginning, you knowhow that sound when the sirens
will start?
Every kids will be like, yeah,we go to shelter, there is no
(14:12):
lessons.
But it's changed with time.
So right now, kids is not happythat there is siren and they
have to go downstairs to thatshelter.
Everyone is so tired of that.
And the kids understand thatthere is siren, there is
missiles or drones are flying.
That means that somebody willbe hit, somebody will die.
(14:36):
So it's like, not that like,ah, you know, we're missing
lessons.
Just kids overall tired fromthat and have that always.
My Benjamin at school and I seesiren and my instant question,
okay, is he safe?
You know, I feel that's how alot of Ukrainians live.
And I want to express that.
You know, people like asking,Yura, where are you living?
(14:57):
I live in central Ukraine,Zolotonosha town, kind of like
Willmar.
Okay, I think like that sizetown.
And frontline is far away fromus.
Okay, 600 kilometers.
But because of all thismissiles and drones attack,
because of a lot of my friends,church members, my own brothers,
(15:18):
are in the army, you know whatthat means?
That means that I'm constantlyfeeling the war is really
serious, it's really real, andunfortunately, it's impacting
our life.
Does it make sense?
I'm just, you know...
Harris (15:34):
What I'd like to know, Yura, is it's been three years
and about four months since thewar started, and as the
spiritual leader of yourcommunity, of your church, as
just a leader, like you said, byexample...
What is your daily life likeliving in a country that's torn
apart by war?
I
Pastor Yura (15:54):
will share my biggest challenge at present
moment.
It's hard to come up frontevery Sunday and tell people
that you have to rely on Christ,your hope in Jesus Christ,
because we've been praying forso many times.
We've been hoping...
(16:16):
And sometimes, like, you haveto wait.
I believe and I know that Jesusis our King.
I know that He is in thecontrolling of everything.
But sometimes it's so hard.
And I think if you will ask mepersonally what helps you to
keep doing what you do, that wasmy Bible verse, okay?
(16:41):
You remember the story aboutEsther and Mordecai?
Help me with those names.
Okay.
Mordecai and Esther.
You remember that conversationwhen Esther was like, I don't
know if I'm ready for that.
I'm not sure if I'll go andtalk to the king.
You know, I'll be in danger.
And that answer of Mordecai wassomething that helps me to keep
(17:07):
doing what I'm doing and what Icall to do.
The answer of Mordecai was forsuch time as this, you became a
queen.
Me personally, I was never...
I was not planning to be apastor during the war time.
(17:30):
I want to be a pastor, youknow, who worked with teenagers
and kids and families.
And here I am, pastor duringthe war time, who sometimes have
no idea what to do and...
how to deal with that.
But that Bible verse is alwayskeeping me to do what I do, like
(17:55):
for such time as this.
And I think I have that fightinside of me with God, telling
like, God, probably you have tohave another person over there,
you know, somebody who is muchstronger and knows how to deal
with all of that.
But I have that inside of me,that Bible verse, for such time
as this, I put you in thisplace.
(18:17):
And that's what's helping me,you know, to keep doing what I
do.
If there is somethinghappening, you just, you know,
you rely on God.
And I came to a point when Irealized I can't control what's
happening.
I can't really protect my kids.
I'm here right now, my Nina andmy Benjamin at home.
(18:37):
You know what?
I have no idea what can happentomorrow, but I really...
fully trust that to JesusChrist.
And that's what I try to tellour people, support them and
saying, guys, we have to trustGod.
He's controlling that.
And sometimes, you know, wewant to think that some
politics, some countries, someweapon will help us, but I'm not
(19:00):
sure that's where we asChristians should look for help.
It's over there.
So I don't know if I answeredyour question, but in my daily
routine, that for such time asthis, helping me to do what I'm
doing.
Harris (19:17):
I know the loss has been really devastating for Ukraine
as a country.
Being in your 30s, do you havefriends, family, church members,
community members that havedied in the war?
Pastor Yura (19:31):
Definitely.
So there was a statistic sixmonths ago that's saying that
80% of Ukrainians experiencedsomebody, some of their friends
or relatives were killed duringthe war time.
So me personally, so eventhough my two brothers are
(19:52):
fighting from the first days,there are a few church members
who are on the front line.
I don't know of...
really close people that werekilled by army but i have like
during the war time but i knowso many friends in our little
town zolo to nosha that's around30 000 people there are more
(20:13):
than i think 80 or even 90families who lost someone during
the war time like who thesoldiers who were killed we call
them heroes you know thoseheroes so and you know what
that's impact our communitythat's that's a way different
situation that we have a specialin downtown of Zolotonosha,
where all our heroes have theirpictures.
(20:34):
And I don't want to startcrying again.
So me and Nina, sometimes we'rewalking through that, like
valley, right?
Do you say valley?
So we are walking sometimesjust, you know, to remind
ourselves that there was a pricethat our Ukrainians paid.
And there was one guy on thebicycle.
He probably 14, 15 years old,like my Emiliya.
(20:55):
He cried.
came on the bicycle to one ofthis picture, that probably was
his dad.
And he's putting flowers overthere and just standing.
And I didn't have enough wordsto come and say, I'm so thankful
for your dad.
And I feel this loss, you know,I mean, but knowing that this
(21:17):
guy lost his dad in the war isjust, you know, destroying you
inside.
There is no words to express,to tell you.
And there were so many familieswho lost.
There were so many people whoknow somebody who lost someone
during this war.
And this is really hard.
And still, as a church, asChristians, I ask myself, if
(21:42):
Jesus will be here right now,where will he go?
He will probably go to thosefamilies.
He will be with them tosupport, to be just with them.
So that's what we as a churchstarted to do.
About six months ago, February,is it six, four months ago, we
have our first meetings forladies, women who lost someone
(22:06):
during the war, like husband orson.
And we were just with them fornext month where we have a
meeting together.
They were sharing about whothey lost and what that means
for them.
And it was a lot of crying, butin the same time, And during
those meetings, we saw how Godwas just changing their hearts.
So now a few of those ladiesare visiting our church, and I
(22:29):
believe they will become a partof our church.
They are already.
But I think we as a churchshould be with them.
So they say for the first week,everyone is remembering about
us.
But then a week after...
It seems like nobody cares.
We're all by ourselves.
I think they don't need to feellike that.
We as a church should come tothem, should be with them, and
(22:52):
just support whatever how we canhelp that.
We are going to do that.
Kristine (22:56):
Pastor, in my heart, you are a hero.
You've said yes to yourcalling.
You're living out your faithand purpose and doing kingdom
work.
And we're so grateful for thedifference that you're making in
the lives of others.
Your brothers are also heroesin my heart.
(23:20):
Can you tell us right now, howdo you describe what the front
lines like in Zolotonosha?
Pastor Yura (23:30):
Front line, I afraid to say something not
really correctly.
This is something where, can Isay, real fights happening.
so it's about 600 kilometersfrom for roma's east Ukraine and
also right now it's really onthe north of part of
Ukraine, Sumschyna region wherethe fights happen in like daily
(23:53):
and yeah it's hard for me totell about that because I was
never there and you know i don'twant to say something that will
be offended for soldiers orwhatever but that's over there
is Bad, dangerous, you reallysacrifice your life over there.
But in the same time, centralUkraine, where it seems like,
(24:16):
you know, not war zone, butstill because of that constantly
pressure of not knowing what ifone of the missile or one of
the drones, the goal is to hitZolotynusha, right?
And you always have this reallyinside pressure Can I say
anxious?
No.
What word I will use?
(24:37):
Anxious.
You're kind of afraid.
Like even here.
So my Emiliya, my daughter,she's here with me.
She will stay for another monthhere.
Praise God.
I mean, God bless her.
But we came here and I toldher, Emiliya, you know, you can
kind of say relax here.
It's safe here.
(24:59):
No missiles, no drones areflying here.
Like you really can...
Can't do this, you know.
A few days ago, she ran into myroom and she's like, dad, do
you hear this?
And she looks so scared.
I'm like, what's happening?
Like, dad, do you hear this?
And Don Marcus, which we'restaying, she just were doing
(25:21):
mowing, okay?
But because that sounds like adrones, my Emiliya instantly
feel this, can I say, fear,right?
What if that's a drone that isflying over our house?
Because every night we sleepwith open windows, you know,
with fresh air.
You hear every night thosedrones are flying over you.
(25:43):
And that sounds really like amoving machine.
And for her, it was so...
I'm like, Emiliya, you like,calm down, relax.
But she's living with that forlast three and a half years.
And I'm just thinking how manyUkrainian kids...
And teenagers and adults arehaving that fear of what if.
(26:04):
And I think this is somedeep...
How do you say that word?
Like, just that is sitting inyou and it's so hard.
And as I said, personally forme, even though I'm here in a
really safe place, I always havethat.
You know, you're reading news,you're checking, Nina, how are
(26:26):
you doing?
Are you okay?
it's always like there was awar in my country.
So it's war that we allaffected by war.
Even though we're not on thefrontline, we all affected by
war.
Harris (26:40):
As a Christian, we're called to forgive, not have
hatred towards anyone.
How do you feel towards peoplethat are invading your country?
How do you hold yourself backfrom having hate?
Pastor Yura (26:54):
Yeah.
I'm not sure I'm ready to talkabout that.
The book of Psalms became soreal for us and so different.
So there is Psalms where Davidwas talking about, you know, he
was thankful to God.
And, you know, you always lovethose.
(27:16):
But there is Psalms where Davidwas cursing his enemies.
I hope you read that.
And the previous time, I'mlike, what are you talking
about?
You can't say that.
But then at some point, what'shappening right now, it's not
more about hate.
(27:36):
It's more about God, you punishthem.
God, I believe he isrighteousness.
I know that he's the God whowill be on the Righteousness
side.
And we, all Ukrainians, no, wedidn't invade that country.
All we do, we just defend ourcountry.
(27:56):
Okay, so what my prayer,usually God destroy our enemies.
God give us opportunity to livein free, independent country.
So I think we can talk aboutforgiveness right now.
We can talk about that becauseforgiveness will come when
(28:17):
Russians will say, Pleaseforgive us.
It's so hard to talk with momwho lost her, or let's say a
wife who lost her husband andtell her you have to forgive.
But I think the time will comewhen we will be ready to talk
about it.
At present moment, it's a toughone.
It's way different from what itwas before the war.
(28:40):
It was easy to talk aboutforgiveness, but it's something
that's really tough to talkabout right now.
We've been...
sharing and talking about that.
I know you don't have to havehate in your heart, but this
Monday, you probably read aboutthat, how many people were
killed in Kyiv.
And I saw those pictures, andmy friend living two minutes
(29:02):
away from that, and he said, Ispent all my night in the bath,
at the restroom, so I can sleepwith my kids there, somehow to
protect myself.
I'm not going to tell him youhave to forgive your enemies.
It's not really possible for usright now.
Harris (29:25):
It's
Pastor Yura (29:26):
a difficult
Harris (29:26):
one.
Yeah.
Well, to hear about how theperspective has changed even
about like the Bible verse.
Pastor Yura (29:31):
Oh, yes.
Harris (29:32):
Through life, how God will speak to you through your
experiences.
And I've heard a lot and seen alot that like through
challenges and through hardtimes, God works.
Yes.
How has he worked through yourministry directly during the
war?
Is it...
made it more difficult?
Pastor Yura (29:49):
Oh, yes.
As I told you before, we were alittle congregation, little
church, a lot of youth, a lot ofteenagers, some young families.
But during this time of war,and just God brought so many
(30:14):
people to us.
You know, it's...
I love that.
I was always thinking that Iwill be a pastor for younger
generation, you know, teenagers,kids, young families.
But now we have that, you know,six years old kids and like,
you know, 70 years old, notkids, how you call them, adults,
you know, but God somehow usedour church.
(30:34):
And sometimes, you know, myanswer is like, I don't know,
you know, God just bringingthese people.
So we working a lot right nowwith kids.
So when we planted the church,we started a sports Christian
football academy, okay?
And we have just two coachesfrom our church who love soccer
(30:55):
and who love kids.
So we started with kids and wehave only 14 kids, okay?
So right now we have over 100kids who twice a week, will go
for practice or training, buttheir coaches will not just do
the coaching part.
They will do Bible lesson.
(31:15):
They will talk about Jesus.
They will be showing example.
And for me, see that community,not only of kids, but also
their parents is pretty crazyamazing because I believe God is
doing something.
One of our biggest challenge atpresent moment.
So this is a good problem tosolve.
The place where we are meetingas a church, Just don't really
(31:38):
have enough space.
So people can stand because wedon't have enough space.
And we've been looking andsearching everywhere, you know,
like what we can rent orwhatever.
And we just don't really haveit.
So one of our dream that starthappening over here, we want to
build a church that will be, canI say community church?
There is a different culturebackground.
(32:00):
Mostly our churches will beopen on Sunday, you know, and
close on Sunday.
There is a song.
Somebody was singing, close onSunday, you, my chick, do you
know that song?
Yeah, I don't remember who wassinging that.
But during the week, nothinghappened, okay?
And I want to live differentchurch life.
I believe that church should beopen every day and it should be
(32:23):
available for community.
So one of my dream in October,when I will be back, I want to
start a fundraising campaign sowe can build a community, can I
say community building church,where we will be open to invite
teenagers.
So I'm just looking that wasthat perspective.
I have 14 years old girl,Emiliya.
(32:44):
When it's summer, you can gosomewhere hanging out.
What about winter?
She doesn't have like, you haveso many opportunities to go and
spend time.
My kids don't.
And there is all the kids overthere in Zolotonosha who you can
reach, who you can invite.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
You say, I told you, I need alot of space.
Kristine (33:06):
I love your passion.
And I want to have thatopportunity to say, hey,
teenagers, you know, church onWednesday is open for you.
Just come.
You can play in the gym.
You can drink coffee.
You can do whatever becausethat's a place for you to meet
and And just to share gospel, toshow that we Christians are
really cool and awesome people.
And honestly, you can findhope.
(33:26):
You can find the meaningfullife.
Can I say meaningful, right?
Meaning for your life.
You know, you can find passionto live your life.
And that's where my heart is.
Sometimes it seems so unreal.
But in the same time, I havethis, can I say, that's for me,
it's God's size dream.
Because for me, it'simpossible, but there is nothing
(33:47):
impossible for my God.
And we already did three prettygood steps.
We made communication with ourgovernment, okay?
So we as a little church, onlylike four years.
You know, when I met with themsix months ago, and I said, I'm
a pastor, and they're like, weknow who you are.
We've been watching yourchurch.
(34:07):
We know that there is hundredsof families that you help to,
you support to.
So what do you want?
And honestly, I said, we need aland that we can buy or rent.
So our government is giving ustwo hectares of the land.
And we are right now in thatprocess.
So we can build on.
And, you know, sometimes peopleask me, like, is it the right
time right now?
(34:28):
That's how I live.
You can't wait until the warwill be over.
You have to be ready right now.
You have to do it right nowbecause when the war will be
over, it will be already toolate.
So as a visionary guy, I seelike Tuesday will be a war
veterans day.
I was an American Legion here.
(34:48):
And where our war veterans canmeet?
What if our church will be aplace where, you know, Families
can come and they know that's asafe place for them to come,
spend time together, you know,do some gym stuff, drink coffee.
One of the day will be ateenager's day, you know, ladies
day.
So I'm just dreaming.
Sometimes, as I said, it seemslike so unreal.
(35:11):
But in the same time, Ivisioned that and I said, God,
we want to be a church that notonly impacting our people, but
we want to impact community.
So that's where my heart is.
I'm, can I say, praying forthis.
I'm fighting for this.
And I'm like saying, Mycommunity, guys, we have to
pray.
And I have this, you know, ameeting with all these parents
(35:31):
from Sports Kids Club, and wedon't have our own stadium.
So we just use a stadium fromlike this area.
how we say, warm months.
And then during the winter,it's hard to find a facility
where kids can, you know, playand have their own place.
And I met with everyone andsaid, guys, here's what is in my
heart.
I want you to support that.
(35:52):
And everyone was like, yes, weneed that.
You know, even though they'renot part of our church, but they
just have this understandinghow cool it is to have a church
that will be not only open andclosed on Sunday, but will be
available every, every day forthe community.
This is something will be,honestly, in my own perspective,
really unique and specialbecause mostly all those
(36:15):
churches will be built in bigtowns, you know, Kyiv, Lviv.
And I have this crazy dream.
We can be example, little town,but can impact way bigger
community.
If you'll go with me todowntown of Zolotonosha, one day
you'll come to Ukraine.
I was walking with my Benji.
He was four years old.
Because I know everyone.
(36:37):
It's like, you know, littletown, and it's different than
you have it.
Like, you go downtown, peopleeverywhere, okay?
And I know everyone.
I'm like, hi, hello, hello,hello.
And my dad just said, dad, youare a superstar over here.
And I believe you have hugeimpact because people know who
you are.
But for me, it's always opendoors, you know, to share gospel
(36:59):
and bring people to Jesus.
Harris (37:01):
That's so inspiring to hear how the church has become a
place of refuge during the war.
I love that phrase, refuge.
And then to hear how you guysare, even during the time of
war, you're reaching out to morepeople and trying to build a
new church and stepping intothat with faith.
That's a really,really awesome story.
Pastor Yura (37:18):
story.
It is easy to share becausethis is somewhere over here and
you're like, I wish.
Next podcast, if we will recordwith you, will be after we...
launch our building.
What do you think about
Harris (37:32):
that?
And hopefully I come toZolotonosho.
I'd love to.
Kristine (37:36):
Well, we love your heart.
Your heart in the toughest oftimes to say, This is my vision.
This is my dream.
A place that can be open everyday for people to commune with
each other, communicate witheach other, laugh with each
other, cry, pray.
We're going to continue to praywith you, Pastor Yura, that
(37:59):
that dream comes true.
And thank you for your courageto step out and do what you can.
to encourage us to make thatpossible.
I wanna ask you a questionabout the vulnerability of
people.
So you're a pastor, and I haveto say again, my husband and I
(38:20):
fell in love with the hearts ofthe Ukrainians 24 years ago.
I love Ukraine, I love thehearts of your people, and you
have so much to be proud of andso much to celebrate.
Would you say in these toughtimes as a pastor, will people
be vulnerable with you?
(38:40):
Do they come to you alone or ingroups and share?
And how do people open up toyou as a pastor and invite you
into their life?
Pastor Yura (38:56):
There is few stages.
And again, this is my ownperspective.
For the first few months, wewere really, maybe really close.
Everyone was thinking onlyabout themselves.
And I think it's even kind ofthe correct way how your body,
your emotions will react.
(39:16):
Because we have a church as acommunity, we've been always
together, right?
But not really withcommunicating with other people.
You know, we were always like,you know, like thinking and,
okay, what I'm going to do, youknow?
Then the second part wasreally, as you said, more open,
and we saw a lot of new peoplein the church during that maybe
(39:37):
two years, okay?
So what I think right now,because people are so tired from
the war, people who's not goingto church is really asking a
tough question.
Is God real?
Is our prayers really...
meaning, have some meaning, isreally God listening to us.
(40:02):
You know, so people right noware really, can I say, it seems
like they close again to God.
Because, you know, you'rewaiting for one week, two week,
month, year, and it's alreadyalmost three and a half years.
And I do understand thepeople's hearts right now.
You know, when Even watchingInstagram stories, okay?
(40:26):
I'm a lot of in Instagram, mykids there.
Usually, you know, they willpost something like, you know,
about some destroying or peoplewere killed and they were like,
Putin, we're praying and blah,blah, blah.
And like, you know, thoseimportant messages.
Right now, it's a lot of, asyou said before, hate.
It's a lot of that, you know,for how long it's going to be.
(40:50):
So a lot of people will comeand ask me, like, you as a
pastor, give us an answer, youknow, when it will be over.
Is really God listening to us?
And you know what?
I learned something.
I don't need to defend God.
You know what?
And I really can't.
I can't speak for God.
(41:10):
He is pretty, how you say, Hewill give an answer.
Sometimes I just don't.
don't have an answer.
And this is really tough.
But in the same time, I came toa point when you realize
sometimes people want to ask youand just give them opportunity
(41:32):
to express what they feelinside, what's happening over
there, you know.
But some of those questions,sometimes you're coming back
home and ask that question, am Ia good pastor to help people to
find the answers?
And I'm talking with a lot ofpastors.
(41:52):
They feel the same way.
It's so tough and so hard togive an answer for those
questions.
And when we did that meetingwith ladies who lost husband or
son, there was sometimes aquestion where you don't need to
give an answer.
And I remember Job, he wasasking God's question.
(42:15):
There are so many Bible heroeswho've been asking God, got
questions and really they neverreceived an answer so it's it's
tough to be christian in Ukraineright now it's tough to be
pastor but on there's other sideof that this is the best time
to be a christian that this iswhat you're hoping for you you
(42:40):
rely your god on your life onjesus christ you know who is
your real refuge guys eventhough i'm saying it's safe
place over here I'm sorry, it'snot.
There is none safe placeanywhere.
My refuge, only in Him.
And sometimes it's hard.
I don't have an answer forthose questions.
Kristine (43:01):
Pastor Europe, you make me really emotional.
And I think, I've said it acouple times, but it was your
country that made me fall inlove with the world.
It was your country and yourpeople that made me fall in love
with missions.
And I know in my heart ofhearts, you ask yourself, am I a
good pastor?
I know from the bottom of myheart, you're an incredible
(43:25):
pastor.
Thank you for saying yes to thecall.
How do you and Nina stayencouraged?
No pressure.
How do you stay encouraged?
Pastor Yura (43:40):
In the midst of this, I have to share the best
story of my life.
during my wartime.
This is the best story becauseit's my personal story.
So I've been a pastor, right?
And I have two kids.
So when my Benji was five, herepented.
(44:00):
Real repentance, you know, likeI do believe kids can repent
from the deep of their heart.
But my Emiliya, she neverprayed, you know, that prayer.
And every time we will talkwith her, she is like, her
answer will be like, I don'tknow, you know, I'm not ready.
(44:21):
And you don't want to, can Isay pressure?
You don't want to say, you dothat because your dad's saying
that.
That's the stupidest thing.
And it was like, you know, shewill live her life.
She will come to Jesus Christ.
She will know him.
But you have to understand.
Thank you.
When the war began, it's adifferent story.
What if something happened andmy Emiliya never met Jesus in
(44:53):
person?
And I remember after a fewmonths of the war, we were just
sitting on the table, me,Emiliya, Benjamin, Nina.
And I said, hey, Emiliya, hereis a big question.
That's what really kind ofworry.
I'm so worried about it.
So tomorrow missile will hitour home and we all will die.
(45:15):
I know where I'm going.
I know where is Nina going.
I know what's Benjamin'sfuture.
Emiliya, what about you?
And she never answered thatquestion.
She just quietly did this.
And for me, it's not about thepastor.
(45:35):
It's about me as a dad.
I'm like, how I will...
I can't make her to repent.
That should be her owndecision, right?
And That was my prayer.
Like every night, God just giveher that, open her eyes, open
her heart.
And we kind of came to a pointwith Nina when we thought, you
(45:56):
know, she needs a lot of time tolive through, you know, maybe
some problems she will gothrough.
So she will really, she knowseverything about God, but she
don't know Him personally.
So we were doing our firstteenager camp.
We brought 70 teenagers to WestUkraine.
We have a great week, you know,the first time we did it.
(46:17):
And then in the end of the lastday, we have this repentance
calling.
You know, like if somebodywants to come, and guess who?
My Emiliya.
She was first who stepped in,and as soon as she came, we just
(46:37):
started crying, both of us.
For five minutes, we're like,she couldn't pray, she couldn't
say a word.
I am like Emiliya.
We have to pray.
There is a line of people overthere waiting.
But I will tell that was thebest for me to know that, can I
say, her future is secured.
No matter what's happened.
(46:58):
I know that is why I have thispeace in my heart.
And I trust God.
You know, everything canhappen.
But I know there is future forall of my family.
There is something to happen.
I know we all will be togetherin heaven.
And after that meeting of Godwith Emiliya, she's changed.
Guys, I mean, it's not like sherepented.
(47:22):
No, no, I'm telling you, she'sa different person.
So it was so hard for her tocome and say, Dad, I'm sorry.
After that, I remember she cameto me like, Dad, I'm sorry.
I'm like, wow, are you askingforgiveness, Emiliya?
What's wrong with you?
And just to see how she'spassionate right now about
ministry, She's involved in thekids ministry.
(47:42):
She's helping with our churchweb, not website, Instagram.
She wants to help withteenagers.
And she said, dad, you know, Ithink I want to be baptized very
soon.
So just to see that, this is mybest personal story.
And I have this picture.
My Nina even took a picture ofus when we're hanging out
(48:04):
together and we're crying.
It's actually a really badpicture because of lightning and
all of that.
But that picture will be alwaysin my heart because I have this
amazing opportunity, not as apastor, as a dad, to pray
together with your daughter andsee her coming to Jesus Christ.
This is my best story.
(48:25):
Amen.
I'm done.
Kristine (48:29):
We celebrate with you.
Yes.
And you made me cry hard.
Harris (48:37):
I have one more question.
You're a From someone, from myperspective, that feels helpless
in this conflict, and I'm suremany other listeners, what do
you have to say to us?
What can we do to help you,your family, the
Pastor Yura (48:58):
country of Ukraine?
I have to say that I don't feelthat you are not helping us.
I do feel...
On the personal level.
I'm here only for a week.
And I'm meeting with a lot ofpeople.
And I really feel the supportfrom you.
From everyone I meet.
(49:19):
Everyone is interested.
Everyone in Europe will prayfor you.
And I do know you're doing it.
We're supporting.
In different ways.
Financially.
In praying.
In your conversation withothers.
So I want to...
I don't know if I have enoughwords to express how we as
(49:39):
Ukrainian nation, I will saythat from my congregation, I
will say this personally frommyself, I'm so thankful that in
the beginning of the war, you asa country, you as a nation, can
I say, step in and say we arewith you.
And we did feel that support.
And at present moment, what Iwill ask, please, please
(50:02):
continue to pray for us.
Please try to read the news toknow what's really happening.
Unfortunately, I don't knowhow...
Do you read that right now alot about Ukraine in the news?
But guys, it's not about, can Isay, politics.
It's about lives of people likeI am, who are, every one of us,
affected by war.
And I don't want to say thatsounds really big, but I'm not
(50:26):
sure we can do that without you,without your support.
Yes?
We do have God who we rely on,but there is always other people
who support.
So if you have Ukrainianfriends, you know, write a
message to them.
Just that little note, hey, wepray for you.
We support you.
It is so encouraging was for meduring the first days, I
(50:48):
received so many messages frompeople who I don't really know,
who I know for many years, butnot really contact.
And just that little note, hey,we pray for you.
We support you how we can help.
And also looking in the future,I believe there will be huge
opportunities to come toUkraine, do the outreach,
(51:08):
support, help, bless the peopleof Ukraine.
Because we are going to be backwith a lot of, can I say,
wounded people, a lot of peoplewho've been living through the
wartime.
So we will be so happy to seeyou again.
helping us, supporting us,doing something together with
us.
But I want to say thank you.
But guys, the war is not over.
(51:30):
If you can be with us right nowat this moment, we really need
you.
So if there is anything you canpray, help.
If you see there is somefinancial need, just donate,
help.
We really need you guys.
And I want to say thank you forbeing with us during all this
time.
Kristine (51:52):
Something that I've always admired in you now with
the war going on, before thewar, since the first day I ever
met you, and yet today with howbeautiful your family is, but
how heavy things are andconcerning and sad in your
country, you still are the samePastor Yura with tremendous
(52:17):
peace and and tremendous joy,and I can't help but think that
comes from your faith in Christ.
Will you speak to us more?
You're just a joyful man, andyou're carrying a lot, and
you've already said it, but youalso have a lot of peace within
(52:38):
all that's going on.
As a pastor, how can youencourage the listeners, maybe
they're a believer, maybethey're not a believer and
they're searching, but how canyou encourage all of us as a
pastor where that peace and joycomes from?
Pastor Yura (52:57):
I think my wife knows that she can see me in a
different era, because sometimesI'm not really joyful.
But there is something abouther that she just finds the
words sometimes, not always, tosupport me, to encourage me.
(53:22):
So she probably will be the onewho will not always see Yura,
who is happy, who is peaceful.
But I will tell, I took thatfrom probably my parents, and
especially from my mom and dad,who I learned...
how to be peaceful and joyfulno matter what.
And I think also there is agift from God.
(53:44):
I just, this is not something Ican make it, but just God gave
me this gift of encouragement.
And I do that all the time,even though I'm like, I never
have been trained to do that,okay?
How I would love to encourageevery one of you and those who's
(54:06):
listening and watching us uh iwas reading so many times that
bible verse god is my refugeokay so many times before the
war and i never knew what thatmeans even though i can't
understand it but i never knowwhat that means god is my refuge
okay when the war began wheneverything was happening there
(54:31):
was so much much to tell you andwe don't have time for that but
that that Bible verse became soreal to me.
And I think you live in rightnow in your country, so many
challenges and everything that'shappening, whom you can trust,
who you can rely to witheverything that's happening, who
(54:54):
you go to.
Here is my message to every oneof you and to me reminding
again, God is my refuge.
He's the one who I can come toAnd over there I will find
peace, I will find real joy, andthat's where I'm telling, even
though I fly from Ukraine here,and saying this is a safe place
(55:17):
over here, if be honest, thesafe place is only in Him.
So my message will be for you,God is your refuge.
So go to Him, find time withHim, and be with Him.
The biggest blessing that youcan have.
Because by Him, I will findpeace and joy in my heart.
(55:39):
That will, from inside, you cansee outside.
Does it make sense for youguys?
I hope so.
Kristine (55:48):
How much it makes sense.
You know, I thought that wewere going to encourage you
today.
Pastor Yura (55:53):
You did.
Kristine (55:54):
And the opposite is true.
Here you come.
from your country in wartime.
You make us cry several times.
I have goosebumps over and overthe last hour.
And in true Pastor Yurafashion, you've encouraged us
like you wouldn't believe.
Harris (56:14):
What really struck me about the conversation was just
amidst all the pain and the hurtand the sadness of the war, how
many epiphanies or realizationsthat you've had that the Lord
is your refuge and that you'vereally turned to the Lord and
your church and your communityand your daughter turning to the
(56:34):
Lord.
It's just so many cool thingsto see how the Lord is working
amidst the war and the pain andthe struggle.
Thank you for sharing.
It's been a real honor to beable to listen to you.
Pastor Yura (56:46):
Yeah, thank you.
This is a great opportunity toshare I never told them the name
of our church is Open Heart.
And when we came with thatname, we never knew what our
church will really, that thatname of the church, Open Heart,
will be so meaningful for somany people.
Because during the war, therewere so many closed hearts.
(57:09):
But when they meet Open Heart,that can change your entire
life.
So I want to say thank you frommyself and from my open heart
church for this opportunity.
I never knew I will be here,but this is so amazing to share
our story, to share what we'regoing through.
But I want to say thank you fornot afraid to ask me those
(57:33):
tough questions and just that Ican be with you.
And one day, somebody of youwill come to Ukraine and you
will experience the best countryever.
Kristine (57:42):
We are going to come and we're going to visit you and
be with your people and love onyou all and see you in person
being a pastor at Open HeartChurch.
I just want to encourage thelisteners, as Pastor Yura said,
pray for Pastor Yura, his wifeNina, their family, their
(58:04):
country, their church.
If anyone would like to partnerwith them financially, Get a
hold of us and we will give youthe opportunity to do so.
But thank you so much.
We're so encouraged.
We're so proud of the man ofGod that you are, the character
of who you are.
You've inspired us.
(58:25):
You've educated us.
You've encouraged all of us tocontinue to go make a difference
and to pray and to be with yourcountry and to have learned
even more.
But we're with you.
And I want you to do one thing.
On the One Pebble podcast, weallow the guest to throw out the
(58:47):
last pebble.
But I want your last pebble tobe speaking in Ukraine.
Pastor Yura (58:54):
Oh, easy.
Kristine (58:55):
So let's do probably a 30-second prayer in Ukrainian.
Okay.
for your country, for ourlisteners to pray with us and to
be able to hear you speak inUkrainian.
God's richest blessings.
We thank you for being a partof our podcast today.
Thank
Pastor Yura (59:15):
you.
Let's pray.
The war that continues in ourcountry.
I want to pray for your specialblessing, Lord.
(59:35):
Please stop this war.
Please give us the ability tolive in a free, independent
country.
Lord, defeat all our enemiesand give us the opportunity to
build our free country.
Lord, we rely on you.
We trust you.
We know that you are the onlyone who can change the whole
situation in one moment.
Amen.
(59:56):
Amen.
Thank you.
Kristine (01:00:24):
This has been the One Pebble Podcast.
One pebble, so many ripples.
What will you do to make adifference?
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