US evangelist Franklin Graham has told Premier his charity Samaritan’s Purse will do all it can to support those caught up in the conflict in Ukraine.
The global organisation is sending chaplains as well as medical support to the country and the neighbouring nations.
Samaritan’s Purse has been supporting families in Ukraine for many years.
Graham says he’s saddened by these recent events: “This was a conflict that didn’t need to take place. Samaritan’s Purse, through Operation Christmas Child, recently delivered 660,000 shoe box gifts for the children of Ukraine.
“We have 3,200 churches that we work with in Ukraine. These churches that were handing out shoe boxes are now fighting for their lives.”
With its vast resources, Samaritan’s Purse is able to fly out mobile field hospitals to anywhere in the world.
Plans are now in place to support those on the ground.
Speaking about the logistics, Graham said: “Our main focus will probably on the inside of Ukraine, where there’s just a lot of people that cannot get out of the country, that are going to be needing food, they’re going to be needing medicine, and so Samaritan’s Purse will work in those areas.”
Graham says they’re already starting to hear stories of God at work through his people in cities across Ukraine
“We do know that the churches are trying to help families get out of harm’s way. I know pastors are using their own vehicles, their own cars, to try to move people out of harm’s way.
“They’re not running, they’re not leaving, they are staying there with their people.
“I just admire these Ukrainian pastors and just pray that God would just put his hand of protection around them. It’s so important that we pray that God protects the Church.”
Graham is urging Christians across the world to pray for an end to fighting.
He also said it was important to remember those on both sides of the conflict.
“The sanctions on Russia – there’s no question, it’s going to bring a lot of pressure.
“We need to remember to pray for the Russians too because the vast majority of the Russian people don’t support this. They don’t want to see war.
“It’s important that we pray for the leaders of both countries, that God would work in their hearts, and that this thing could come to an end quickly.”
SOURCE: PREMIER CHRISTIAN NEWS