Ukrainian pastors carry food and supplies into war zones, sharing Jesus

Franklin Graham along with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has now brought over 100 million pounds of food to Ukraine as they face daily struggles from war. 

Each week the ministry relief organization brings over a million pounds of food.

"As winter sets in, things in Ukraine are only getting worse," says Graham who's been to the country twice since the conflict started earlier this year. "Many areas have lost electricity and food is impossible to buy in eastern parts of the country closer to the fighting. Samaritan's Purse has been buying and bringing food into the country every week, and we are also receiving food from the World Food Program."

Samaritan's Purse brings food into areas that still have power, but local pastors are making their way into the more desolate places. These ministry leaders are facing dangerous conditions to reach the distribution points. These unsung heroes take buses, vans, and even their own vehicles, loaded with food and other relief supplies to people who are suffering during the conflict. 

During these individual missions, some pastors have been able to help people and families evacuate from dangerous territory. 

"In some villages, there is no water, no heating system, no stores," says one pastor who will remain nameless for security reasons. "Everything closed, but they need food. So we bring food there and invite them to evacuate, especially from that place where it's dangerous. This is another kind of our ministry. Go there, bring food from Samaritan's Purse, and bring people back from that area—and it works. Our drivers, they are very good Christians. They are very brave. We pray for them every time when they go."

The ministry brings food, as well as emergency supplies such as blankets, tarps, winter coats, wood stoves, and generators as the winter cold settles over the country. 

Samaritan's Purse has also flown emergency relief supplies to Ukraine on 38 airlifts. On a number of return flights, 267 Ukrainians were airlifted from Poland to safety in Canada.