Refreshment in Ukraine
Photos by David Johnson & Lloyd Pulley
War-weary Ukrainian chaplains and their wives are filled with the Holy Spirit at a retreat in the Carpathian Mountains.
Pastor David Mercer from Calvary Chapel Kalispell, MT, shares practical stress and resiliency training at the Ukrainian Chaplains’ Retreat this past March.
The Ukrainian chaplain’s daughter asked, “Where are we going?” Remembering the last chaplains’ retreat he attended in the Carpathian Mountains, he nostalgically confided, “We are going to paradise.”
The Ukrainian head chaplain, Pavlo (right), counsels with one of the other chaplains, Oleg.
As battles rage in Ukraine, the frontline chaplains have not been forgotten. Weighed down with the burdens of thousands of their fellow countrymen and women who have lost everything, these chaplains and their wives help relocate, feed, clothe, and provide emotional care and counseling. At a retreat in March 2024, several Calvary Chapel pastors joined Wes Bentley, founder and CEO of Far Reaching Ministries (FRM), and his wife Vicky to provide fellowship and encouragement, and offer practical stress and resilience trainings to the beleaguered chaplains.
With tears and great emotion, the Ukrainian chaplains’ secretary, Natasha, shares her trials after experiencing the death of her husband during the war. Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) began supporting the work of the chaplains after the invasion began.
Wes Bentley (right) shares his vision for FRM’s work in Ukraine, supporting chaplains and caring for the elderly, women, and children as Vitaliy Smolin translates.
“Our goal was to minister to them because they’ve been ministering to so many others, carrying a heavy load,” said FRM representative Luke Beebe. Some of these chaplains take aid to specific areas on the warfront, driving armored vehicles to evacuate women, children, and the elderly—all while being shelled, bombed, and shot at. Yet others drive four to five days a week, traveling over dirt roads damaged from the shelling, taking food and water to the elderly in villages without power and water. And senior chaplains, traveling 10-18 hours a day, cover a wide amount of territory as they meet with each frontline chaplain to assess their needs and coordinate support.
Chaplains Pavlo (right) and Oleg listen to Pastor Jerry Foster of CC South Lake Tahoe, CA.
At the FRM-sponsored chaplains’ retreat in the fall of 2022, the mood was happier, Luke relayed; but this year, “They are beyond tired as the war grinds relentlessly on.” As the fighting takes its toll on these chaplains, stretched thin as they minister to soldiers, it is not difficult to understand their hearts regarding their “enemy”. During the 2022 retreat, Luke recalled a chaplain admitting he could never forgive the Russians. “He was being real, sharing it through tears. And now he is here, being ministered in the need to forgive.”
Pastor Lloyd Pulley (right) of CC Old Bridge, NJ, reunites with Oleg, whom he met at last year’s conference.
Chaplains are often called to deal with refugees from destroyed Ukrainian towns near the front that were evacuated. Those attending the conference shared that it was like going to Heaven to attend the conference.
Vicky Bentley had spoken to the women at the 2022 conference and since then, largely because of FRM’s ongoing support, these women readily received this year’s message to trust the Lord, stay in the Word, and to forgive. Her clear teaching on how unforgiveness hinders one’s faith was a breakthrough for woman after woman in the room. “The Lord listens to your prayers, but you must believe that He is. When we come to the Lord with unforgiveness in our hearts, our prayers are muted. Faith is powerful, but unforgiveness hinders that faith from working,” Vicky entreated the women.
The chaplains and their families pray for the soldiers they minister to.
Chaplain Sasha ministers in a bunker at the front lines and poses for a photo with a soldier. The conference allowed the chaplains time with their families and to share with others their grief.
Luke recalled, “Once that unforgiveness was dealt with, it unlocked and opened the floodgates of faith, and the working of the Holy Spirit was powerful.” Throughout the week, each woman responded to the Lord’s urging to lay that unforgiveness down. He added, “Vicky simply and clearly shared how unforgiveness is a sin, and its consequence is condemnation. Vicky explored the idea that our unforgiveness blocks the Lord working in our lives and can block the answers to our prayers.”
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15
Vicky Bentley (right) and translator Natalia Smolin (left) share how the sin of unforgiveness can mute our prayers to the Lord. Many have suffered great loss, feeling they can’t forgive Russians for their suffering.
Standing in the crowded room, Natasha tearfully shared her grief after losing her husband in the war. Listening, a chaplain’s wife held her head in her hands until Natasha finished. Overcome with emotion, the chaplain’s wife revealed how her son had died in combat just days before the retreat. Praising the Lord for how Jesus touched her, “I came here dead, I thought my life was over, but I heard amazing teachings, and I know my son is in Heaven with the Father. Now, I have a purpose to continue living and serving people.” It was through the wives’ broken and contrite spirits that Luke saw the men begin “engaging in new ways, trusting and opening up more.”
Vicky hugs Chaplain Valeriy after receiving special medals from Ukrainian citizens, thanking Wes, Vicky, and FRM for their support through the war. Valeriy began the Ukrainian chaplains ministry many years ago.
Vitaliy and Natalia Smolin translated for the conference. As partners with FRM through their Smolin Charitable Foundation, they deliver humanitarian aid, helping Ukrainian refugees with housing, food, and spiritual care. Natalia observed how open the ladies were as Vicky addressed the importance of forgiveness.
Two years into supporting the Ukrainian chaplains, FRM expects to have a chaplain-training center operating by the end of the year. “The Ukrainian government has requested that we train their chaplains. Our focus will be teaching the Word of God; the government will teach them the law and other requirements,” Luke said. Anticipating year-round operations, and continuing the annual retreats, he assured, “It is Wes’ vision that the chaplains know they are loved, and that we will continue to support their efforts.”
Vicky displays the special medals she received on behalf of all those who have supported FRM. The group’s ministry to the chaplains has never waivered and continues on.
Passionately imploring the chaplains and their wives to trust in the Lord, Vicky thanks the women for allowing their husbands, who represent Jesus, to be leaned on by the soldiers they minister to.
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