FCA helping to provide shelter, transportation and more to help Ukrainians not just survive but serve
March 28, 2022
KANSAS CITY, Mo.— As Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, displacing thousands of Ukrainians from their homes and families, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org) is providing shelter and aid for 28 FCA Ukrainian staff who are in Ukraine, Europe and America.
The FCA ministry in Ukraine was founded in 2009 and has grown to 22 Ukrainian staff in addition to 6 staff in the FCA Divisional Office who serve both Europe and Eurasia. When the war on Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, 14 FCA Ukraine staff and 16 family members were in the United States at FCA’s global conference, and 14 staff were still in Ukraine. Five of the staff in Ukraine were able to travel to Germany, Poland and Slovakia, while the remaining 8 staff and their families are still in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian staff and family members who were in the U.S. when the war began are being supported near the FCA Support Center in Kansas City, Missouri until they can return to their homes which may likely be for a minimum of six months.
Divisional Vice President of FCA North Global Andriy Kravtsov stated, “We thank everyone for standing with us and continuing to pray for Ukraine. We will continue to pray over this situation until there is peace. We know that peace is coming because the Lord Jesus Christ has promised us peace. This is a hard time for Ukraine but it is a special time to seek God. Matthew 7:7 says that if we keep on asking for help, it will be given and if we keep on seeking, we will find. We all need to keep praying for this situation because we are stronger when we are together.”
FCA CEO and President Shane Williamson commented, “Our thoughts and prayers extend to our FCA team, their families, and the entire nation of Ukraine. As the world watches the inconceivable and senseless act of aggression in the invasion of Ukraine, may the followers of Jesus commit to be more motivated than ever to the Gospel. These types of aggressions spotlight the depravity that humanity can reach when sin has fully grown and gives birth to death. (James 1:15)
“This is a complete separation from what is right and good, the value of life, and the inalienable right for freedom. We are asking God to deliver Ukraine from evil. May He have mercy and heal this land. May He give Ukraine peace and the chance to develop as a nation that values truth, justice, and freedom, rooted in the goodness of God.”
FCA’s ministry seeks to support coaches and athletes in their walk with God all around the world, including Ukraine. Through FCA, over 1,500 Bibles have been delivered to Ukrainian refugee camps in Poland to bring the light of Christ into the darkness of this crisis. FCA’s aim is to ultimately reach 80,000 coaches in Ukraine with the Gospel through FCA Huddles, Bibles, or other means.
For more information on how to help those affected, please view FCA’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.
FCA’s theme for 2022 is Every, based on Ephesians 1:3: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” FCAreminds Christian coaches and athletes that they already have everything they need in Christ and encourages them to seek Him both on and off the field.
After extensive growth, FCA has reached millions of people with the Gospel. View a timeline of FCA’s 68-year history here, including videos, quotes, articles, leader profiles, Camp themes, photos and more.
Read more about Fellowship of Christian Athletes here, visit FCA’s website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheFCATeam or its Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheFCATeam.
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