February 24th marked four years since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. That invasion triggered a war that has brought about catastrophic death, destruction and suffering. Some estimates put the combined death toll for Ukrainians and Russians at nearly half a million, with nearly 2 million injured on both sides1.
Meanwhile, our Ukrainian staff, their families and those they serve are enduring nearly unlivable conditions at home and the ongoing trauma of this long war. Most spent the unusually cold winter without electricity, water or heat for most of the day, forcing them to survive in conditions no one should ever face.
That's why I've been amazed at how, by God's grace, both the Ukrainian and Russian Jews for Jesus teams continue to proclaim the Good News, and with good results. In just the past two months, more than a dozen Jewish men and women in Ukraine and Russia have given their hearts to the Lord.
Tolik Emma leads our work in Kyiv, and Ilya Khaimovich leads our work in Moscow. Tolik, Ilya, and I served together on outreaches in Moscow during the 1990s. In those days, we would return from witnessing on the streets, giving thanks to God for protecting us from aggressive police and violent anti-Semites. But most importantly, we'd rejoice together over the Jewish and non-Jewish people who had prayed to receive the Lord. As the Soviet Union fell apart at the seams, people understood that their only hope lay in looking 'unto the hills' (Psalm 121:1 KJV) and opening their hearts to the Lord. Those were uncanny times of intense outreach and deep fellowship.
Today, news outlets and social media tell Tolik and Ilya that they're enemies. But they know that they're brothers and colleagues because they know where their first allegiance must always lie: with Yeshua, His body and the call to proclaim the Good News.
As the Jews for Jesus chaplain for our Eastern European staff, I've seen firsthand how this war, at times, could have threatened the unity of our team. It's difficult to share in one ministry that crosses political lines of conflict. Over the last few years, the situation for our Ukrainian and Russian staff reminds me of the political context in which Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi.
Paul spent his days and nights under house arrest in Rome, while the Philippian brothers and sisters faced mounting hostility from the Roman authorities. But how did Paul end his letter to the Philippians? 'All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household' (Philippians 4:22 ESV). Could it be that Paul was singling out these Roman nobles' salvation as a way of reminding the Philippians, and us, about where our true allegiance must always lie?
In times like these, when worldly powers collide, we must remember that God's kingdom doesn't shift with political winds or national borders. Tolik and Ilya once served side by side on the streets of Moscow, yet now stand on opposite sides of a painful geopolitical divide. Even so, they remain united in the only allegiance that endures, their devotion to Yeshua and His mission. May their example inspire us to keep unity in our first allegiance.
1 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-deaths.html