{"id":42335,"date":"2022-05-10T14:00:59","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T05:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=42335"},"modified":"2022-05-12T14:24:01","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T05:24:01","slug":"vomk-report-204","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2022\/05\/10\/vomk-report-204\/","title":{"rendered":"UKRAINE: THE PASTOR WHO STAYED WHEN HIS CHURCH LEFT"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”42321″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Prior to February 24, Viktor Polunin was the pastor of the Gospel of the Grace of God church in Kyiv.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][vc_column_text]Now<\/span>, <\/span>Pastor Polunin and his wife are <\/span>the <\/span>Gospel of the Grace of God church in Kyiv<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Before the outbreak of hostilities, <\/span>Pastor Polunin\u2019s church had about 70 people, and it was dynamic and growing<\/span>,\u201d says <\/span>Voice of the Martyrs Korea <\/span>Representative <\/span>Dr. Hyun Sook <\/span>Foley<\/span>. \u201c<\/span>They had a<\/span> worship team, ho<\/span>me<\/span> groups, discipleship<\/span> training<\/span>, <\/span>and social service ministries like <\/span>fe<\/span>e<\/span>d<\/span>ing<\/span> the homeless and the poor near the central railway station.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]But when fighting broke out on February 24, <\/span>that changed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”42323″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Pastor Polunin\u2019s church members began to evacuate from <\/span>Kyiv, first to the Vinnitsa region and Transcarpathia, then <\/span>leaving <\/span>Ukraine<\/span>,\u201d says <\/span>Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]After <\/span>three <\/span>weeks, <\/span>only <\/span>six <\/span>people <\/span>from the church <\/span>remained in Kyiv<\/span>, all involved in <\/span>volunteer work<\/span>, <\/span>ministry, or civil defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]With their congregation <\/span>now <\/span>gone, Pastor Polunin and his wife <\/span>had to decide what to do next.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We considered all options,<\/span> realizing all the danger,\u201d Pastor Polunin<\/span> told Voice of the Martyrs Korea<\/span>. \u201cWe<\/span> decided to stay in order to show that the church does not leave people in difficult times and in order to use the current situation to preach the Gospel.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”42328″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Polunin and his wife help the elderly, the disabled and families in Ukraine who are not able to care for themselves during the war.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0a0a|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, <\/span>people in their area began to come to <\/span>Pastor Polunin and his wife seeking <\/span>food and medicine, often referred by social service agencies. <\/span>They also began to <\/span>deliver food, hygiene items, children’s supplies<\/span>,<\/span> and medicines.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We have several elderly people who are left without help and cannot take care of themselves<\/span>,\u201d says Pastor Polunin. \u201c<\/span>A blind elderly woman who had no one to take care of her because everyone left, another woman is hunched over, unable to go to the store herself. An elderly woman whose son and grandson serve in the Ukrainian army, we helped her buy medicines – they all prayed with my wife.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that Voice of the Martyrs Korea <\/span>has designated <\/span>Pastor Polunin and his wife <\/span>as <\/span>\u201cgreen martyrs\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly in church history Christians recognized that there were different kinds of martyrdom<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201c<\/span>\u2018<\/span>R<\/span>ed martyrs\u2019 <\/span>were those <\/span>who died for their faith in a bloody instant. \u2018White martyrs\u2019 were those who died to the world, living their lives in the desert or in monasteries. <\/span>And \u2018green martyrs\u2019 were those who died to themselves, laying down their own lives <\/span>daily as <\/span>faithful witness<\/span>es<\/span> to Christ.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Pastor Polunin told Voice of the Martyrs Korea that their decision to stay and serve has been an encouragement to those who remain in Kyiv. \u201cM<\/span>any worried about us and asked us to leave,<\/span>\u201d says Pastor Polunin, \u201cBut<\/span> for them our desire to stay was a confirmation that this is how the ministers of the church should act.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”42330″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Viktor Polunin and his wife Polina travel around Kyiv delivering food, medicine, and gospel encouragement to those who remain in the area.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0a0a|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”42333″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Viktor Polunin and team carry bags of food and supplies to the van in order to deliver to those in need in Kyiv.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0a0a|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pastor Polunin told Voice of the Martyrs Korea that he and his wife <\/span>previously <\/span>discussed the possibility that <\/span>they might be killed if they stayed and continued their church\u2019s ministry. \u201cW<\/span>e agreed that sudden death does not frighten us,<\/span>\u201d says Pastor Polunin. \u201cR<\/span>ather we would not like to face the experience of suffering and cruelty, and we pray that the Lord will protect us from this.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, Pastor Polunin and his wife also continue to <\/span>pray and worship with the <\/span>church members who <\/span>evacuated Kyiv. \u201c<\/span>Several times a week they do online gatherings with those members,\u201d says Representative Foley. <\/span>\u201cThey pray for the country and also try to serve as a point of connection between the ones who left and the ones who were left behind.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Pastor Polunin told Voice of the Martyrs Korea that m<\/span>ost church members express a desire to return, but <\/span>he <\/span>believes many may not. \u201c<\/span>I have been a church pastor since 1998<\/span>,\u201d Pastor Polunin <\/span>said<\/span>.<\/span> \u201c<\/span>I think that the church will not just change, but most likely we will have to start from the very beginning<\/span>. N<\/span>ow a new church is being formed. I am sad and happy at the same time about that. Our church was dynamic and growing<\/span>. N<\/span>ow everything is at the start again, we will use all the experience for a new undertaking if we have enough strength.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, the couple is already moving forward with this new undertaking. \u201c<\/span>They currently have<\/span> a house that they use as a warehouse and are working on identifying more places for storage <\/span>so they can expand their capacity to serve people.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uIeEDQGMTUo”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cWe<\/span> are preparing for the worst times<\/span>,\u201d Pastor Polunin told Voice of the Martyrs Korea<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Following the example of Joseph in the Old Testament, we want to stockpile food and clothing for the ministry of the moment, and especially for the ministry in need that will come in the near future.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that <\/span>V<\/span>oice of the Martyrs Korea<\/span> is <\/span>committed to helping <\/span>Ukrainian Christians who have become <\/span>red martyrs and green martyrs <\/span>as a result of the current <\/span>conflict<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>W<\/span>e<\/span> have <\/span>so far <\/span>been <\/span>able to provide aid to the families of <\/span>six <\/span>Ukrainian \u2018red martyrs\u2019 <\/span>who <\/span>have <\/span>laid down their lives in faithful witness to Christ<\/span> since <\/span>February 24<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201c<\/span>But it is also important for us to support Ukrainian \u2018green martyrs\u2019 like Pastor Polunin and his wife, <\/span>who <\/span>have died to themselves but remain alive to Christ, <\/span>risking their lives daily to serve <\/span>as his faithful witnesses<\/span> in these war zones<\/span>.<\/span> Our Ukraine Emergency Fund is our \u2018green martyr\u2019 <\/span>support <\/span>fund<\/span> for Ukrainian Christians<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Donations can be made to the Ukraine Emergency Fund at <\/span>www.vomkorea.com\/en\/donation<\/a><\/span> or via electronic transfer to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uad6d\ubbfc\uc740\ud589<\/span> (KB Bank) 463501-01-243303<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc608\uae08\uc8fc<\/span> (Account Holder): (<\/span>\uc0ac<\/span>)<\/span>\uc21c\uad50\uc790\uc758\uc18c\ub9ac<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please include the phrase \u201cUkraine\u201d with the donation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”42321″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Prior to February 24, Viktor Polunin was the pastor of the Gospel of the Grace of God church in Kyiv.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][vc_column_text]Now, Pastor Polunin and his …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":42320,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[857,235,869,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-russian-special","category-special-column","category-china-special","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}