.jpg)
Square One World Media in Winnipeg has brought over a ministry couple from Ukraine to share in person with Manitobans what God is doing during wartime.
Natalia and Nikolai Chernomor help run a Christian media company called The Bible Today in Ukraine. They have partnered with the Manitoba Christian media company, Square One World Media (S1WM), for over 25 years. S1WM brought the couple to Winnipeg this week to share what God is up to in their country despite the tensions caused by the continuing war with Russia.
"Our ministry started after the Soviet Union collapsed, after people were living in this atheistic background," says Albina Nikitina, the interpreter for Natalia and a producer at S1WM. "On one side, people had this great desire to seek God, but at the same time, they thought it was maybe for someone who's weak. We saw we needed to break these stereotypes and show people that God and Christianity is good and can be a part of your life."
Instead of simply broadcasting a show filmed in Manitoba to different parts of the world, S1WM works with ministries like the Chernomor's to share from the perspective of people who live among the people group they're trying to reach.
"War has changed everything," says Natalia. "In 2022, we were thinking of doing one kind of project for kids and teenagers. But the situation radically changed, and we had to change our projects. We want to answer the questions people have right now, and that our projects would speak to them. We were asking God, What can we do right now that will speak to people's hearts?"
The Chernomors are currently working on two specific media projects. The first is to share prayers for people to listen to and follow along with, and the second is to interview Christian leaders in the country.
"We are calling people to put their trust in God. Now, as the war is going on, we need to be very careful with our words. It is quite hard to be truthful and compassionate."
Natalia talks about the two different responses they hear from people who are listening to their programs.
"One of them is from women who lost their husbands during the war. Sometimes it's just important to be near these people, just to show that you care. We also see people who are very open to come back to Christ. We have heard from people that they're starting to wake up in the mornings and start their day not reading the news that disturbs them, but start by praying together with their programs."
The Chernomors, along with an interpreter, will be sharing on Wednesday, April 23, at the Grace Cafe located at 2207 Henderson Hwy at 6:30 p.m. This is a Coffee House Fundraiser to help continue sharing the gospel during this difficult time for so many Ukrainians. People interested can register by emailing info@s1wm.com or calling 204-667-9576.
The couple will also be involved in a prayer vigil that everyone is invited to this Saturday, April 26 at 3 p.m. at McIvor Church located at 200 McIvor Ave. in Winnipeg.