Tag: Poltava Theological Seminary

Trip Report for June Visit to Ukraine

Dr. Paul Linzey

My recent trip to Ukraine exceeded my hopes and expectations. In fact, it was one of those ministry projects that you know you’re supposed to do, but you don’t know all that is involved or exactly what the Lord is up to until you’re in the thick of it. I knew I was invited to teach chaplains and pastors at the Poltava Theological seminary Monday through Friday in the afternoon, and that my associate, Dr. Sharon Ackerman would teach in the morning on the same days. What I didn’t know—in fact, nobody knew until the circumstances presented themselves—is that I would be speaking to pastors, chaplains, military leaders, and community representatives in six different locations. I expected this to be an amazing week of ministry in the classroom, but it turned out to be much more than that. This was a powerful, life-changing experience that took place throughout the nation of Ukraine.

Dr. Ackerman’s topic for the week was Medical Ministry, and included issues like trauma, injury, PTSD, compassion fatigue, and depression. She taught on personal healing, spirituality, and the consequences of war, and how it impacts the individual, family, and community. Her interpreter was a local pastor who is brilliant and talented in her own right. The presentations were so good and rich that I wanted to stay and learn from Dr. Ackerman.

My sessions centered on Chaplain Ministry During Wartime, and included issues such as critical incident response, temptation, loneliness, and the inner struggle we all face when we’re in danger. The dual focus for both Sharon and me was to help the pastors and chaplains effectively manage their own thoughts, emotions, spirituality, and responses to war and then be able to minister to their soldiers, parishioners, and family members who are also impacted by the war. We discussed the fact that the chaplain is a voice of hope, strength, and sanity. And at all times, chaplains represent their government, their church, and in a very real way, their God.

My interpreter was Sofiya Schug. I met Sofiya when I preached at the United States Naval Academy last January. She is the lead soprano in the USNA Protestant Chapel Chorale, with a beautiful, powerful voice. When the pastor introduced me as the guest speaker, he mentioned that I would be going to Ukraine. After the service, Sofiya came up to me and told me who she was: a multilingual Ukrainian-American, married with children, and a professionally trained singer. After hearing about our mission to Ukraine, she felt a strong calling to go and help in any way needed. Sofiya became a true friend and served as my interpreter everywhere I went. She was a tremendous asset to our work in the classroom, in remote locations, and while traveling.

Sharon, Sofiya, and I flew into Krakow, Poland, where we visited Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Schindler’s factory. What a way to get into the mindset of oppression and living in a war-torn country! Then, we took a bus to Lviv, followed by an overnight train to Poltava. Igor Skripnichenko is the president of the Poltava Theological Seminary. He met us at the train station and took us to our hotel. That night, we had dinner with him and his family. They have become dear friends.

My overall assessment of the ministry, the experiences, and the Ukrainian people is that this was definitely a lifechanging experience and that, the Lord willing, I will go again. It was incredible to minister and fellowship with pastors, chaplains, and community leaders. Being able to see and talk with volunteers at the seminary, the churches, and the youth group outreach team was priceless. But let me tell you about some of the special moments that occurred during my time in Ukraine.

I started one of the sessions talking about some of the items I always had in my duffle bag when I was in the Army. The first thing I pulled out of my bag was a roll of toilet paper, explaining that in the Army, you never know where you might end up on a given day, and whether there’ll be any toilet paper in that location. One of the chaplains in the back of the room raised his hand and said, “There’s none where I am serving right now.” When I football-passed the roll of TP to him, he caught it, and the other chaplains broke into applause. I took several band-aids out of my bag and said I always carried a dozen or so bandages in my shoulder pocket whenever I went out with soldiers. One pastor who is a volunteer chaplain, called out, “I cut my finger pretty bad this morning, and nobody had any bandages. I’d like one.” So, I gave him a couple of band-aids. When I mentioned that I always traveled with a flashlight, one of the chaplains said he needed one. I proceeded down the list of several more items. Then I started teaching. When the day was over, the guy who got the bandages came up to thank me, showing me his finger nicely wrapped, and that the bleeding had stopped.

One of my sons creates handmade wrist bands and other items out of nylon 550 cord. When he found out I was going to Ukraine, he offered to make a few things to give out to the chaplains. So, I took five wrist bands, three key fobs, and a lanyard: all made out of blue and yellow paracord, the colors of the Ukrainian flag. I gave away two items per day, and after one of the sessions, a chaplain came up to me, threw his arms around me, ripped off his army patch and handed it to me, saying, “This is not for you; it’s for your son.” Then, because I wore a blue and yellow wrist band all week, one of the other chaplains who got a wrist band, wanted a picture of the two of us giving a fist bump and showing off the Ukrainian colors on our wrists. I think they liked the handmade items almost as much as the content of our teaching. In any case, it didn’t take long to develop a rapport and a love for one another as we delved into the topics for the week.

I told stories from my own war-time ministry experience in Iraq, plus a few of my father’s experiences during World War II. I discussed ministry priorities and gave them an assignment. By the end of the week, they had to turn in a list of their church’s priorities, the priorities of the Ukrainian Chaplain Corps, and their own personal ministry emphases. I mentioned the priorities that guided my work: the four ministry priorities of my church, the Assemblies of God; the priorities of every military chaplain in the United States; and my own ministry emphases. By the end of the week, they all had researched and memorized their own priorities. I have a picture of the entire group holding up their assignment.

I brought up the fact that as pastors and chaplains, we cannot afford to be impressed or intimidated by rank, wealth, fame, or celebrity because to the degree that we are impressed or intimidated, we lose the ability to minister. We represent the highest power, the King of Kings, the One who outranks everyone, and we have the responsibility and the privilege to care for and speak into the lives of people at all levels. That was a fascinating discussion.

One of the sessions focused on the need to trust God for miracles. We all are limited in what we can do, and when we reach the end of our abilities, we depend on the Lord to demonstrate his presence, answer prayer, change lives, and intervene in our circumstances. Then I showed a 7-minute segment of “The Ten Commandments” movie. When Pharaoh’s army pinned the Israelites against the Red Sea, the Lord told Moses to stretch out his staff and the waters separated, allowing the people of God to walk across on dry ground. Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control. It looks like we are out of options and all is lost. That’s when we have to trust God for the miracle.

A few months before going to Ukraine, I got a phone call from a man in Arkansas. He attends the church where my nephew worships, and my nephew had mentioned me at his church, asking them to pray. This man had pastored a church in Ukraine for ten years before COVID, and still has a heart for the people there. While he was praying, the Lord spoke to him. “The people of Ukraine are fighting two wars: a military war and a spiritual war. It is important that they win both wars.” He asked me to share that message with the pastors and chaplains in Ukraine, and I did. After I told the class about this Baptist pastor in the United States who was praying for them and what he had heard from the Lord, one of the chaplains in the class exclaimed, “That’s exactly what the Lord said to me when I was praying a few days ago!”

I did a session on team ministry and the need to be ready for anything. Then I had them do a couple of team-building activities that led to further discussion in small groups. I tell you what, these men and women are anointed by God, hungry to learn from the Word as well as from practical hands-on ministry. They are making a huge difference in the lives of their soldiers, parishioners, and communities.

At the end of the first day in the classroom, Igor told me that some of the chaplains weren’t able to attend the sessions because of the war. Then he asked if I would be willing to go out to where they were. “Well, it depends on where they are,” I replied. He assured me that it would be safe. And since Sharon agreed to take on some extra teaching sessions, the next day we drove out to where the chaplains were serving with their soldiers.

We showed up at a remote army base where two chaplains, five nurses, and about thirty-five morale officers were graduating, having finished their military training. I was the commencement speaker, with Sofiya as my interpreter. However, before I spoke, Sofiya sang the national anthem. She took everyone by surprise. Nobody imagined there could be a professional opera singer out there. And nobody expected the passion, the energy, and the rousing rendition of their song . . . in their language. The next several places we went, we started with Sofiya singing, and you could feel the emotion in the room, the pride, and the instant openness to whatever I had to say.

After lunch, we drove to another base where we met another thirty-five or so chaplains. As in most groups, some were active duty and many were pastors serving as reserve chaplains. I taught some of the same material I covered at the seminary because these chaplains were originally scheduled to be in the class in Poltava.

Between sessions, Igor introduced me to the senior Protestant chaplain, who explained one of the reasons he was glad I was there. According to his story, the week prior to my arrival, the lead Orthodox chaplain had told him, “I’ll wager a case of our finest kvas that the American chaplain doesn’t show up. Nobody comes out here.” The Protestant chaplain accepted the bet. Then they waited. When I walked into the room, I didn’t know why several of them had a funny look on their face, but now I knew. My new friend was looking forward to receiving a case of his favorite beverage!

As we talked, he mentioned that the military chaplains and churches of several nearby nations had come with clothing and other essentials for the pastors and chaplains to distribute. I heard him say “Latvia” and the name “Elmars” when he was talking to someone in Ukrainian, so I asked Sofiya to interpret for me.

“Are you talking about Elmars Plavins in Latvia?” I asked.

“Yes. How do you know that name?”

I met Elmars Plavins in 2007 when I was an Army chaplain in Iraq. He is the Latvian Chief of Chaplains, pastor of a large Baptist church in Riga, and was at my FOB in Iraq to visit his soldiers. The next year, I arranged for him to come to America to visit the Pentagon, our Army Chief of Chaplains, our chaplain school at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and several other locations. This Ukrainian Protestant chaplain said “Elmars is my best friend!” and pulled out his cell phone right then and there for a video call to Latvia. I got to talk to my friend, Elmars, who I hadn’t seen since 2008.

When we got into the car, Igor told me that whenever he’s out in this region, he makes a point of visiting a pastor who lost three sons in the war. Would I be willing to meet him?

Pastor Oleksandr welcomed us to his office, and we chatted a while with Sofiya interpreting. Then he offered a tour of his church. A beautiful building that had been an opera house before the war, the place had been badly damaged, but he and his congregation have been refurbishing and rebuilding so that now it is a beautiful house of worship. Because the war has devastated the area, most of the residents are poor, hungry, and in need of assistance. Many don’t have water. The church dug a well and invited anyone in town to come get water whenever they want. There were two men filling containers when we drove up. The church collects clothing and supplies from various places in Europe and offers it to the people in town for no cost.

As we walked through the building, we came to a gymnasium where the youth group was playing volleyball. The pastor told me they were preparing for a community outreach to the teens and children in the city. They would personally deliver food, clothing, water, hope, and the love of Jesus. I was so moved that I decided I would find a sporting goods store and buy a matching blue, yellow, and white volleyball (Ukrainian colors) so that every time I see it, I am reminded of Pastor Oleksandr, his family, the youth group, and their impact in their city. That volleyball is my prized souvenir.

As we were driving back towards Poltava, suddenly Igor stepped on the gas and went much faster. He explained that he received a text alert that missiles and drones were coming into the area, and that everyone should find shelter or leave as fast as possible. Sofiya in the back seat exclaimed, “Look!” I looked out the window and about two hundred yards to my right was an explosion. Whatever it hit was quickly burning to the ground. “See those cars out in that field?” Igor asked. Those are Ukrainian drone operators who are shooting Russian missiles and drones out of the sky.” He drove a little faster. We had dinner in Kharkiv on the way home.

The next day, I taught at the seminary in Poltava. I got to check on Sharon, who was doing fine. She loves teaching and preaching, and said it was going very well. Then Igor asked if I’d be willing to go up to Kyiv. We left early the next morning. Sofiya sang and then interpreted for me as I spoke to a group of about a hundred chaplains and pastors.

When Friday afternoon came, we had an end-of-class celebration and ceremony with hugs, handshakes, and fist bumps as the chaplains prepared to go back to their soldiers fighting the war. Igor asked me, “Are you ready to go to Dnipro tomorrow? There’s a group of government representatives and community leaders who meet on Saturday to discuss the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, and I’ve cleared it for you to be our speaker.” Sofiya sang, then I spoke on the need for the entire community to work together to rebuild and heal the land, the institutions, and the people. I told them that a community-wide response would be essential for the post-war reconstruction and healing, and that the community-wide response necessarily includes pastors and congregations because they have a built-in network with so much to offer. Then we had lunch with several dignitaries before returning for one more night in Poltava.

That night, I turned out my light and was not yet asleep when I heard an explosion. Then there were several more. I thought to myself, “The blasts seem to be about two miles away.” I went out to the hall, and people were going down the stairs to the shelter. Sofiya came out of her room and told me she had talked to Igor, who said there were five explosions about three kilometers from the hotel. There were no human casualties. He texted me and asked if I wanted him to take us up to Kyiv immediately. But by then, we received the “all-clear” message so I decided to wait until morning, as originally planned. Sofiya and I did go down to the shelter for about half an hour, mostly out of curiosity on my part. I wanted to see it.

Our train was leaving late Sunday night, so Igor had arranged to be our tour guide for some sightseeing in the capital city. It was beautiful. I got some great pictures. The war seemed so far away and life went on as usual. Sofiya had grown up in Ukraine, and the church she attended twenty-some years ago was just a few blocks from where we parked. She walked over to the church and met with some friends. When Sharon and I got on the train that night, Sofiya stayed in Kyiv to visit family and friends a little longer.

I felt like I was leaving part of my heart in Ukraine. Either that, or my heart was starting to turn blue and yellow, the colors of the flag. As I returned to America, I reflected on the new relationships I had with Igor and his family, with Pastor Oleksandr, whose church was making a difference in their community, with the many pastors and chaplains I had interacted with, and with the military leaders I had met. And I wonder: what does the Lord have in mind for the future. Will there be an open door for further involvement? I hope so.

The leadership at the seminary, the churches, and the military have asked me to return. Igor wants me to help by teaching and developing curriculum at the seminary. The military asked me to help shape some courses for the National Military Academy. They want to know if my book on military ministry can be translated into Ukrainian so they can model their programs after it. And they inquired about the possibility of my overseeing a sequel focusing on chaplaincy in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Several pastors invited me to come back and preach in their churches. And I already feel called to encourage and train pastors and chaplains.

But I am keenly aware that this was only possible because of the kindness and generosity of some wonderful people and churches who supported this project.

Pastor Phil Schneider is the Superintendent of the Illinois District of the Assemblies of God, where my wife and I are ordained and serve in ministry. Pastor Phil has been very supportive and directed his staff to provide assistance. The media director created and edited the video introducing the project. The business administration staff set up the account for tax deductible donations.

Several churches allowed me to give a presentation to the congregation. These include Hobson Road Community Church in Downers Grove, IL; Trinity Assembly in Sharpsburg, GA; and The Grove Community Church in Altona, IL.

Two organizations that gave generously to this project were the Mark and Rachel Bailey Charitable Fund and P & L Publishing & Literary Services. In addition, many friends and family gave through the spotfund campaign or sent money directly to the IDCAG account.

I want to thank all of you for your kindness. Thank you for praying. Thank you for your love and friendship. Thank you for making it possible for me to go, to have this experience, to make a difference for people in some pretty scary circumstances. Together, we made an impact on behalf of the Lord and his church.