Dear Brothers and Sisters at Biola,

As you may or may not yet be aware, Biola has been equipping truth-loving, gospel-focused leaders in Eastern Europe for over 10 years through the Talbot Kyiv extension center at Kyiv Theological Seminary (KTS). The situation in Kyiv remains serious and we must intercede with urgency for KTS and their nation.

We have a special interest in Ukraine because the capital city is the home of Kyiv Theological Seminary and Talbot School of Theology’s extension center. Although the seminary has suspended classes during these hostilities, there are a number of ministry colleagues living on the seminary campus. This week a missile hit an apartment building not far from the campus.

A week ago Friday, I interviewed Ruslan Khmyz, President of KTS, on a call with our Biola staff and faculty where he shared tangible ways we can pray. Over the weekend he updated us on the worsening situation around the seminary, including this worrisome perspective as a parent: "Last night, a 10 store building not far from the seminary was destroyed by Russia's rocket. The rocket hit exactly the bedroom of a ten-year-old boy, Dima, who is in the same class with my daughter. Dima survived because at that moment he was with his mother in a bomb shelter." No child or parent should have to endure this fear from such a ruthless attack on a sovereign nation.

Eduard Borysov, on-site director of Talbot’s Kyiv Extension, sent word to us saying, "We do not know whether we will survive in this war, or what the damage will be to our country and ecology (the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was occupied by Russian troops). But we hope the world will learn and see how God is on the side of the weak and faithful against the demonic powers behind our aggressors." 

Over the weekend, Ruslan shared that the fighting in and around Kyiv is much more active, and there are reports that more people continue to flee. We have also learned that some children, and presumably women and elderly, have been killed.

We are heartbroken and grieving over the tragedy unfolding minute by minute in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s violent invasion. There have already been far too many deaths and extensive destruction while the situation is on a trajectory to become even more dire.

Talbot has many current students and alumni scattered throughout the country. Some of them, especially those with young families, have attempted to flee the danger through other countries such as Poland. However, the imposition of martial law is now preventing men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving. Others, such as Pastors Mykola Romaniuk and Vasyl Ostryi, are mobilizing their churches to provide emergency medical response and care for family, friends and neighbors. Others are attempting to defend their country from the aggressors.