The Lord’s Day brings a sharp focus on the command of 1 Chronicles 16:34, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
Featured Photo: The Ivano-Frankivsk Church of Christ,
28 June 2026.
The Lord’s Day was bright sunshine and hot temperatures! Thankfully, we are spared the horrible humidity that suffocates the south, but when you are walking everywhere, the hot sun is merciless. When the sun’s brutality sets in the west, the concrete buildings are still heated! But thankfully, the electricity is working!
When the church bus wiring shorted and caught fire, it was put out of action. Gif arranged for a van to be rented to transport the brethren to assemblies. This is working out well. We still meet at the usual locations for pickup.
An interesting sidebar…Vova arranges the drivers. He told me that today we had a new driver. He said the previous driver would not attend the assemblies. So, he hired a new driver who is willing to attend the worshipping assembly. Vova has a special insight and connection to this request because he was a taxi driver who brought some to our assembly and then stayed and heard the gospel. He obeyed and has been a strong member of the congregation!
Our worship went well. We had 13 present. The numbers reflect the drain from 12 years of war with Russia, the men being taken into service, the fact that many left the country and are scattered throughout Europe and North America pursuing self-interests, and the sad reality that some hearts are described by the Lord’s parable of the Sower.
The worship was uplifting and offered solace in a troubled world. I began a series on “The Devil’s Strategy to Destroy the Church.” The first lesson focused on the Corinthian problem, where arrogant “preachers” divided the congregation. These preachers boosted their egos by having “members” follow them. This arrogant personality resulted in the Church being divided, and the catastrophic eternity awaiting the one who divides, those following the divider, and those supporting the divisive action is frighteningly stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.”
Inspiration bluntly charges the congregation facing this devilish worker, “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother—not even to eat with such a person…Remove the evil person from among yourselves.” (5:11-13). In his follow-up, Paul says these are “false, deceitful, and disguising their true selves. They are actually servants of Satan, disguising themselves as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
The integrity, faithfulness, and holiness of each congregation are under constant attack! Those who fail to be vigilant and confront Satan’s evil maneuvers to discourage and destroy the local Church will be judged. This is the thesis of the lesson series I have developed for this trip. God’s inspiration has stressed this action. Every congregation needs reminders to maintain the congregation’s integrity at all times, but at this time, the Ivano-Frankivsk Church of Christ needs these reminders taught and stressed.
I’m encouraged by the evangelistic emphasis that I hear among the members. I think this is the fruit of the teaching of Gif, Avery, Jared, and Whitney from their recent visit. For years, the preacher at the congregation would not go out and evangelize, saying only he could discern those spiritual enough to be in the Church. He amazingly stated, “And what will we do if a large number are immersed? Who will care for them?” But now that he is gone, the members excitedly speak of how to get more to attend and become Christians. They are leveraging even the most practical opportunities (bus drivers) to achieve the objective!
One of the activities that was suggested is having fellowship gatherings and meals. The members have several friends and family members on their list to invite. It is encouraging to see and hear the plans. They are also planning to invite their friends and family members to join them in sorting and delivering humanitarian aid. Tamara and Kolya are already involved in this and encourage other members to join them. Overall, the outreach emphasis is strong!
We are looking forward to the Madison, AL group arriving!
Another encouraging point from today’s worship is that the Church wants to continue discussions as to how Satan is seeking to destroy the congregation. The lesson today laid foundation points upon which subsequent lessons will be taught. It was decided that Tuesday nights would be the better time, as I have several conflicting schedules with making a Wednesday evening class.
Approved photos are below—reread the note at the beginning of this report.
Again, I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle’s request in Ephesians 6:19, “(O)n my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
