Delegates from 16 countries attend Second World Congress of Churches of Evangelical Christians

Over 2 thousand bishops, leaders of missionary ministries and international charitable organizations from 16 countries came to the Second World Congress of Churches of Evangelical Christians, opened on October 6 in Lviv, in the Church “Golgotha.” 

The slogan of this year's forum is “Pentecost is the answer to modern challenges.” “Secular humanism, globalization, inter-ethnic and inter-religious division, promotion of anti-family ideologies - all this faces the church with a difficult task - to proclaim the truth and at the same time be understandable to the world. Not to become a marginal, but be at the forefront of social change with respect for human dignity. Over 4 days, members of Congress will discuss what spiritual resources the Evangelical Christian Church can share with the modern world and make its contribution to the evangelization of society,” the organizers note.

With the opening of the Congress ministers welcomed the authorities - Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy, Head of Department for Religions and Nationalities Andriy Yurash and Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyschuk.

A few hours before the opening, the members of International Assembly of Christians of Evangelical Faith (representing 17 Pentecostal Unions) elected a new president, who is changed at the meetings every two years. Viktor Pavlovsky (Moldova) was elected new head of the International Assembly of Christians of Evangelical Faith, and Edward Grabovenko (RF) was elected his deputy.

Senior bishop  the International Assembly of Christians of Evangelical Faith Mykhailo Panocjko called to pray for Ukraine, to be brave and not flee from the battlefield. “Love of God and the fellowship encourages us to come together. Ukraine has pain, anxiety and problems. We cannot grumble or despair. We cannot run away from problems. If God allowed it, then He is doing something important. I believe the day will come when the last drop of prayer will fill the cup, and God will give an answer. But does this cup contains my and your ardent and sincere warm-hearted prayer?” he said in his welcoming remarks.

Director of the Department for Religious Affairs and Nationalities Andriy Yurash stresses that Ukraine needs unity and internal consolidated position of all Evangelical Churches in the face of external challenges: “The theme of your Congress - is a message for all of our country. Your prayer - is also part of the great mission.  The Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith has three important elements that help convey the message to the people - the modern language, modern facilities and modern understanding of their own mission. In your church there are many patriots who help in the East. The state understands the significant contribution that you are making for moral strengthening of our society.”

President of the International Assembly of Christians of Evangelical Faith Viktor Pavlovsky and Bishop of the of Christians of Evangelical Faith in Poland Marek Kaminski in his address to members of Congress expressed the hope that the Holy Spirit will work when all are unanimous, have a thirst for obedience and communion.

Bishop Edward Hrabovenko welcomed the Congress participants on behalf of 3 thousand Pentecostal Churches of Russia and called it a great privilege to serve God together, “Christ said that His homeland is in Heavens. We are created to live forever. This is the choice of man, where it to spend eternity. I want you to know that no matter what happens between our countries, we feel concern for you and pray that God gave peace. May God bless you. We love you.”

Bishop of the Slavic Union of the Pentecostal Churches of Canada Anthony Dabrowski is engaged in ministry in Brazil, where there are more than 3 thousand Ukrainian families. He asked those present to pray for the ministry development.

Deputy Senior Bishop Mykola Sinyuk said that the Holy Spirit provides unity, and the greatest unity  is in Jesus Christ: “The purpose of unity is that world believes and knows God. In our church, the attention should be directed to Christ. The Pentecostal Church multiply, but the Church of Pentecost develop less progressively. If the outreach become like bread and water, only then the church may answer the challenges of our time. It was God's plan to reform the religion of Pentecost in living communion with God.”

The Congress members were also greeted by Gerald Dollar, coordinator of missionary activities of the USA Assemblies of God in Ukraine, Petro Saenko, head of the Association of Slavic churches of Christians of Evangelical Faith of America (WEST), Viktor Lymonchenko, head of the Association of Slavic churches of Christians of Evangelical Faith of America (EAST) etc.