By Steve Richards

The biggest reason I came here to shoot this film was to dispel the misconception that Christians are being persecuted in Ukraine.

Hopefully, the film achieves that, as this idea is simply not true. ​Some Russian Orthodox priests have been arrested, but these individuals have acted as mouthpieces for and supporters of Russia. Increasingly, only patriots are welcome members of Ukraine’s clergy. Yet even now, the Russian Church carries on as Ukrainian Orthodox followers find it difficult to move out of their comfort zones.

My evangelical roots, having grown up in the Nazarene Church, give me a deep connection with evangelicals, even as I now lean more toward mainline Christianity as an Episcopalian. Though my faith journey has evolved, I have never strayed far from my roots and frequently visit Pentecostal, Baptist, and non-denominational churches across the U.S. The majority of my mailing list and followers come from these evangelical communities.

While Beyond Bucha certainly focuses on documenting the diversity of evangelical churches in Ukraine, it also captures the backdrop of the cities where I filmed: Kyiv, Bucha, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Vinnytsia during the 2023-2024 holiday season and again in the fall of 2024. If viewers are interested in the realities of life in cities near the front lines, they will certainly find that—especially as they hear mostly English-speaking interviewees discuss their experiences, the histories of their churches, and the challenges they face, including the shortage of men and the profound impact of PTSD on nearly everyone. Their experiences in the war and the effects on their congregations are central to the stories.

When one realizes that these evangelicals are literally fighting for their lives, their parishioners’ lives, and the survival of their churches—all of which are under existential threat from Russia—the footage and interviews with pastors will feel remarkably familiar to Christians in the U.S. Yet, their situation is vastly different. These churches and pastors are on Russian kill lists, just as the hundreds of churches, pastors, and believers in occupied territories of Ukraine have been targeted—where churches are shuttered, services have gone underground under threat from Russian invaders, and pastors have been killed. This reality must remain front and center while watching the film. In the U.S., we take our religious freedoms for granted. In Ukraine, they fight for theirs. They see themselves in a very real religious war, and they remember what life was like under Soviet domination—many would rather die than go back.

I am deeply indebted to the pastors and those who helped me find these extraordinary churches, secure access, and conduct interviews. Evangelicals and Protestants are a small minority in Ukraine, yet it is not uncommon to find third- and fourth-generation pastors. Baptists are well represented, as are Pentecostals, Charismatics, and non-denominational Christians. Mainline denominations are similarly hard to find, with representation from Lutherans, the Reformed tradition, and even Presbyterians. Anglicans are extremely rare in this country, where the evolving Orthodox Church dominates. Greek Catholics are common, and Roman Catholic churches can also be found.

As I reflect on what Beyond Bucha is about—or perhaps more importantly, why I made it—at the very least, we are chronicling events in Ukraine over several years, and we will continue to do so. Ideally, I can provide an effective platform to foster empathy among evangelicals in the United States for their brothers and sisters throughout Ukraine. By increasing their understanding, I hope they will begin to support Ukraine just a little more and dispel the misinformation that taints their perceptions of people they should whole-heartedly embrace. All while crafting a film that entertains and connects with secular audiences worldwide.

By Steve Richards

Pastor Anton Kalyuzhny leads New Life Church, one of the largest non-denominational churches in Ukraine, founded shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

​Situated at the heart of Kyiv’s evangelical community, Pastor Anton is a passionate leader in a country where the Orthodox Church predominates. He brings deep experience in how the church has engaged with Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, with involvement dating back to the Revolution of Dignity, where he served as a pastor in Maidan Square during its bloodiest days in 2014.

During an hour-long interview following the Sunday service on October 20th (a 12-minute edited video is attached), Pastor Anton shared powerful insights and issued a heartfelt plea to conservatives and evangelicals in the West. He urged them to rise above disinformation that distorts their perceptions of Ukrainians, particularly evangelicals, who are striving to keep their churches alive and free from the repression seen in Russian-occupied territories, where hundreds of churches have been forcibly shuttered.

Reflecting on how the war has reshaped faith and ministry in his church, Pastor Anton explained that war demands a confrontation with pain and evil. For believers, this means learning to lament while recognizing God’s shared sorrow. He says, “When you are in a war, you cannot run away from pain and evil. You need to learn how to lament…and see that He's crying with us.”

He also emphasized the stakes for future generations, stating that Ukraine must not be lost—it must be preserved for the next generation. He described Ukraine as the most blood-soaked land of the past 150 years, having endured World War I, World War II, the Russian Revolution, the Holodomor, Soviet oppression, and more. This history, he noted, has fostered a mentality of resilience and sacrifice. Unlike Americans, who have never experienced the loss of freedom, Ukrainians understand the agony of living under Soviet domination, which many consider worse than death.

When asked whether he ever feels persecuted, Pastor Anton laughed at the notion, asserting that Christians in Ukraine enjoy more freedom than those in the U.S. He explained that Ukrainian Christians can openly share their faith in schools, public gatherings, and on any platform without restriction. He says, “We can talk about our faith in school. We can talk in any gathering in a city. We can talk and pray. We have absolute freedom.”

Pastor Anton also addressed claims that the Russian Orthodox Church is being persecuted, describing it instead as a tool of Russia’s war strategy. He alleged that the church has been weaponized as part of a vast network of propaganda and espionage, with examples of Russian soldiers hiding in churches and Orthodox priests directing artillery fire. He stressed that the Ukrainian government is not attacking the Russian Orthodox Church but simply requiring that local Ukrainian churches not be headquartered in Moscow. This, he explained, is not about religious repression but about preventing exploitation by Russia.

Ukrainians, Pastor Anton explained, were prepared for the war long before 2022. Since 2014, they have learned to think clearly, remain calm amid sirens, explosions and blackouts, and keep moving forward. Something akin to the English slogan from the Blitz in WW II: “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

However, Pastor Anton expressed deep frustration over the misunderstandings between Ukrainian evangelicals and their counterparts in the U.S. He noted that most Ukrainians are staunchly conservative, yet they are often mislabeled as liberals or socialists by American conservatives. He highlighted the role of propaganda and the influence of conservative media figures, whose stance on Ukraine he described as far removed from the realities on the ground. Pastor Anton urged evangelical believers in the U.S. to listen to their Ukrainian counterparts rather than relying solely on conservative media narratives.

​Finally, Pastor Anton underscored the harsh realities faced by evangelicals under Russian occupation. He noted that when Russian forces take over, one of their first actions is to close evangelical churches. Hundreds of churches have been shut down, and pastors have been killed. Despite these severe challenges, Ukrainian evangelicals remain connected to their oppressed counterparts, bearing witness to their suffering. Pastor Anton lamented that many in the West continue to prioritize voices like Tucker Carlson over hearing directly from Ukrainian believers, describing this as a profound betrayal that feels like “a knife in our hearts.”

By Steve Richards

My visit to Zaporizhzhia this past October opened my eyes to perspectives I hadn’t expected from the evangelicals there.

Not only are they fighting for their religious freedoms, but they also believe they have more religious freedom than we do in America. At first, this seemed difficult to grasp. But after my interview with Bishop Gashchenko at his Source of Life Church—now edited down to 12 minutes—you may find yourself rethinking this claim as well. I’m still processing his perspective, but I can’t deny that the Bishop makes several compelling points that are difficult to refute.I’ve recently returned from a five-week tour of evangelical churches in September and October 2025, during which I attended services at Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, and non-denominational churches. These gatherings felt remarkably similar to those here in the U.S. In contrast to my earlier documentaries, where I focused on Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches in Lviv, Kyiv, and Bucha, this time I turned my attention to the Protestant minority. My journey took me to evangelical communities in Kyiv, Bucha, Irpin, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, where I interviewed pastors whose insights will be featured in our upcoming documentary, Beyond Bucha, set for release in March 2025, to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bishop Gashchenko laid out his case noting that his church was never forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike many churches in the U.S. that were shut down under government mandates. He also highlighted that prayer in public spaces, including schools, is normative in Ukraine—a stark contrast to the U.S.

Perhaps most striking in our conversation were the harrowing stories of life for evangelicals in Zaporizhzhia, especially those trapped in territories now occupied by Russia. These areas have become battlefields—not just militarily but also spiritually—as Russia wages war on evangelicals in occupied Ukraine. Despite these dangers, the efforts to help members escape to safety continue.

Bishop Gashchenko represents dozens of churches following Pentecostal and Charismatic streams of the Holy Spirit, as vividly captured in the accompanying video. What is equally clear is the incredible sacrifices these believers are willing to make to preserve their freedoms, even to the point of laying down their very lives if necessary.

In the end, whether Ukraine truly offers more religious freedom than the U.S. can be debated. What cannot be questioned is their deep appreciation for these freedoms—and the extraordinary lengths they go to protect them.

By Steve Richards

On the bus to Zaporizhzhia from Dnipro this past October, I was struck by the city’s infrastructure as we got near the city.

​Massive dams and bridges dominated the landscape, along with modern condos and businesses. This city, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the Russian border and 30-50 kilometers (19-31 miles) from the nearest front-line areas, is far from devastated though is deeply affected by the ongoing war. The proximity to active combat zones is underscored by recent glide bomb attacks this this past week that killed at least 13 and injured dozens. (Source: NYT).

I was visiting as part of a five-week tour of Ukraine for my new documentary Beyond Bucha – Finding the Spirit in Ukraine from the Churches to the Front. My goal is to document the state of evangelical communities throughout Ukraine, particularly those near the front lines. In this case, I was meeting with the Source of Life Church and its pastor-bishop, part of the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches. This church, under the bishop’s leadership, focuses on aiding those near and behind enemy lines and helping them to safety. They distribute food, provide aid and transportation, and support displaced individuals from occupied territories. Acknowledging the ongoing trauma of war, the church also offers spaces for soldiers suffering from PTSD, including spaces conducted without loud music, creating a safe and respectful environment.

As it turned out, the translator for my interview was a rare and inspiring figure herself: Pastor Karina Medvied of Yahum Church in Zaporizhzhia City. Karina is a Charismatic minister with a distinct Ukrainian flavor to her excellent English.

Her faith journey began at age 17 when she embraced Christianity despite coming from a non-religious family. She later met her husband in church. Today, Karina is a spiritual mother to her congregation, which meets in a condo basement and conducts street ministries to reach the broader community.

Insights into the Orthodox Church
Pastor Karina shared unique perspectives on the arrest of Orthodox priests accused of backing Russian forces. She supports these actions, believing that many Moscow-oriented clergy neglect the needs of patriotic Ukrainians and instead wait passively for Russian control. She pointed to pro-Russian pamphlets and magazines often found in these churches, which she says have also facilitated fraudulent election efforts in Zaporizhzhia and other oblasts Russia seeks to annex. Such activities undermine Ukraine’s independence.

Nonetheless, Karina acknowledges that many people continue attending Russian-affiliated churches. Nostalgia for the Soviet era, when food and basic necessities were cheaper, often drives this loyalty, even as people overlook the hardships of the past and present.

Karina believes that if people want to remain within Orthodoxy, they should join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty while maintaining traditional liturgies, vestments, icons, and even many priests and churches that have distanced themselves from Moscow in recent years.

​A Ministry of Healing
Karina emphasizes the importance of moving beyond past suffering to focus on building a better future through a ministry of care and healing in Christ. Her church works tirelessly to aid those in need, including feeding and assisting people from occupied territories, offering spiritual guidance, and fostering hope amidst the madness.
She also expressed deep gratitude to Americans for their support, which has been essential to her church’s mission and efforts.
An interview with the bishop who oversees Pastor Karina’s church will follow soon.

Last Sunday, I attended the 10:00 a.m. service at New Life Church in Kyiv, marking my final church visit before heading home.

​The experience felt like stepping into a Texas mega-church—complete with an outstanding worship band, professional cameras, a large screen, and a lively congregation filled with children and families. I captured a glimpse of it in the short video below.

What makes this service especially moving is that it can only happen in parts of Ukraine that remain free. In areas under Russian control, evangelical gatherings like these are prohibited, churches have been shuttered, and pastors imprisoned, tortured, even killed.

After the service, I had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Anton Kalyuzhny of New Life Church, a non-denominational congregation. His excellent English, shaped by a strong Ukrainian education, immediately stands out. As a multi-generational pastor, his ministry roots reach back to the Soviet era.

During the interview, I asked him the question I’ve posed to every clergy member I’ve met on this trip—whether they or their church have experienced any government persecution in Ukraine. Pastor Kalyuzhny responded that they had not and added that he feels churches in Ukraine may actually enjoy greater freedom than those in the U.S.; here, for instance, prayer is permitted in schools.

We also touched on the evolving schism within Ukraine’s Orthodox Church and government efforts to address "spy priests." Pastor Kalyuzhny shared valuable insights on the Moscow-linked Orthodox Church in Ukraine, seeing it as a remnant of the old Orthodox institution used by the Soviets for control, espionage, and propaganda. His full reflections will be featured in Beyond Bucha, which we aim to release by February 2025, on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

But on this Sunday, it simply felt like church. The worship band led with beautiful songs, and though I couldn’t understand the sermon’s words, the message was clear. The Spirit’s presence was unmistakable, and despite all this church has endured, its strength and resilience will undoubtedly carry it forward for generations, God willing.

On July 23, 2023, the world, including Christians across America, was shocked and horrified when a Russian missile attack severely damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, one of the most iconic landmarks of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa - Wikipedia

This cathedral was a key reason for my visit to Odesa. I wanted to witness the rebuilding process, understand how the congregation had been affected, and, if possible, conduct an interview for our new film Beyond Bucha. Thankfully, I was able to achieve all three goals, while also gaining insight into the ongoing complexities within Ukraine’s Orthodox churches and their split from Russian Orthodoxy. Note that the interview will be in the finished film but not in the short video included here.

During my time in Ukraine, I’ve had the opportunity to interview many Orthodox priests. The most recent took place inside the Transfiguration Cathedral on Sunday, October 13th. The priest had just delivered a sermon in Russian to fewer than 100 people. It quickly became clear that both he and the church identified more with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) than with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

For someone like me, who speaks neither Ukrainian nor Russian, the liturgies are largely indistinguishable. However, for my translator Sasha and his mother, the differences were striking, especially during the interview. Sasha and his mother were disappointed with the priest’s perspective. Just a few days earlier, we had interviewed an OCU priest who has fully rejected any former Russian ties.

​The Russian-speaking priest at the cathedral explained that the church has been part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) since the 1990s, but the situation is more nuanced than it seems. Membership in the UOC does not equate to alignment with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU); for instance, the UOC is comfortable displaying a portrait of Moscow’s Patriarch Kirill at the cathedral's entrance. For a deeper understanding of the history of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, I suggest referencing this source: Orthodox Church of Ukraine – Britannica.

​I was pleased to find the cathedral open during my initial visit on October 11th. That day, I was treated to a beautiful flute recital by the Sunrise Ensemble of Odesa, performing "Confession" by Ukrainian composer Oksana Gerasimenko in front of the church. We recorded the recital and used it as a backdrop in the short video tour of the cathedral. Inside, the reconstruction is ongoing, with debris still piled up. However, the ceilings and domes have been covered, and there is hope the work will be completed in a few years. We were granted full access to the church, even exploring the crypt, and conducted our interview in the middle of the nave. All of which will be included in the final documentary.

So, how can one tell when they are in a Russian-leaning Orthodox Church in Ukraine? Several signs stood out:

1. Language: The liturgy and the interview were conducted in Russian, and the priest showed no hesitation about this. While there are many places in Ukraine where Russian is spoken, it’s not something one expects in a Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The priest downplayed the significance of language, saying it didn’t matter what language the liturgy was conducted in.

2. Perceived Persecution: This was the first time a Ukrainian pastor or cleric I interviewed said there was persecution of Christians in Ukraine. Priests aligned with Moscow have faced charges of espionage, promoting Russian propaganda, inciting religious hatred, and justifying Russia's aggression. For a high-profile case, see Senior ROC priest hospitalized after court hearing / The New Voice of Ukraine. Despite these tensions, there was no sign of persecution at the service we attended. The church was open, services continued, and the priest was more than willing to speak with us. He seemed more embarrassed about his limited English than about speaking Russian.

3. Portrait of Kirill: The clearest sign of the church’s Russian alignment was a large portrait of Patriarch Kirill at the entrance. Kirill, a staunch supporter of Putin, has framed the war in Ukraine as a holy mission to "de-satanize" the country. Seeing his image prominently displayed was a shock, especially given his role in providing religious cover for Russia’s aggression.

​Unsurprisingly, attendance has declined at this Cathedral since the full-scale invasion in 2022. The schism within the Orthodox Church in Ukraine is ongoing, and the divisions run deep. While the rebuilding of the cathedral progresses, the spiritual and political fractures within the church are complex and evolving.

Pastor Sergey Gashchenko, Bishop of the Union of Churches - Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine - October 6th, 2024

In early 2023, I filmed a segment for Back to Bucha featuring Pastor Oleg Regetsiy of the Church of the Glory of the Lord in Lviv.
At that time, he was conducting an online service with his displaced congregation, many of whom had fled Kharkiv after Russian forces were repelled in the early days of the war. While Oleg and his family have since returned to Kharkiv, most of his congregation has not.

In the video below, we see a Wednesday evening Bible study around a dinner table, attended by Oleg’s family and a few parishioners. At this particular service they were trying to translate everything into English for my benefit though generally would speak Russian given we were in the Kharkiv region which is largely Russian speaking. They read and discuss scripture, followed by prayers from everyone present. It was an intimate gathering, largely made up of women. Oleg’s wife, Iryna, plays a prominent role in the ministry, a female co-pastor, making their work a true partnership. This setting reminded me of the early days of the Christian church, when services were held in homes, often led by women, bringing to mind Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Kharkiv was relatively calm when I visited a few weeks ago, but it remains a prime objective for Russian forces. Earlier this year, they launched a renewed offensive, but were repelled, in part due to U.S.-supplied HIMARS, which President Biden allowed to strike into Russia. Kharkiv is only about 25 miles from the Russian border, making it a critical flashpoint in the conflict.

Bible study around a dinner table, attended by Pastor Oleg Regetsiy, his family and parishioners, Kharkiv, Ukraine - September 25th, 2024

​After Kharkiv, I traveled south to Zaporizhzhia via Dnipro to meet with Bishop Sergey Gashchenko, leader of the Union of Churches to which Oleg’s ministry belongs. I also attended a service at the Source of Life Church where Bishop Gashchenko preached last Sunday, a glimpse of which you can see in the video below.

This denomination, as explained to me, is Pentecostal with a Charismatic element. The Charismatic aspect apparently allows for women pastors, and I met a young female pastor who gave one of the clearest explanations of the Orthodox church schism and why it is supported by many Ukrainians. We’ll feature her in an upcoming segment.

In my conversations with clergy here, whenever I ask about Christian persecution in Ukraine, they seem perplexed by the question. Bishop Gashchenko even suggested that he enjoys greater religious freedom than many Americans, noting that while U.S. churches were forced to close during COVID, services in Ukraine continued, with most Ukrainians still remaining unvaccinated due to limited vaccine availability.

​Ultimately, these two Protestant churches exemplify the thriving religious freedom on this side of the frontlines. The Russian disinformation claiming persecution of Christians in Ukraine is utterly unfounded. The arrest of Russian Orthodox priests acting as spies isn’t about religious persecution—it’s about their illegal activities and espionage, as they continue to support Russia and spread propaganda from the pulpit.

This church would make most American Evangelicals feel at home.
This Ukrainian mega-church in Irpin has everything— a theater-style chapel, professional cameras, lights, a worship band, plenty of children, gourmet coffee, and a well-known pastor. Most importantly, it boasts a thriving congregation.

This Baptist church in Irpin has everything— a theater-style chapel, professional cameras, lights, a worship band, plenty of children, gourmet coffee, and a well-known pastor. Most importantly, it boasts a thriving congregation.

​However, the church’s story took a dramatic turn in February 2022, when Russia invaded from the north. Russian forces shelled the area from occupied Bucha as they attempted to advance on Kyiv. They came close but were ultimately halted in Irpin and forced to retreat.

Senior Pastor Mykola Romaniuk at Irpin Bible Church 

The attached short video captures a typical Sunday service, as well as a brief excerpt from an interview with Sr. Pastor Mykola Romaniuk. Born into a multi-generational Baptist family—common in Ukraine—Pastor Romaniuk shares how faith, hope, service, and fellowship help sustain the faithful through wartime. He discusses how the trials, such as PTSD, can actually strengthen both the church and its members. This insightful interview will be featured in greater detail in the upcoming documentary Beyond Bucha, which I am currently filming here in Ukraine.

​One vital point that I discussed with the pastor is that discrimination against Christians in Ukraine is virtually nonexistent. The only exception is the arrest of Russian "spy-priests" from the Russian Orthodox Church, accused of providing intelligence to Moscow, reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics. As I continue my tour of Ukraine's Evangelical churches, it’s clear that persecution of Christians, or any other religious group, is simply not an issue here. The only individuals targeted are Moscow Orthodox “spy-priests” leading services in some of Ukraine's grandest Orthodox churches and cathedrals.

Bucha is my favorite spot in Ukraine.
By Steve Richards

I just finished lunch at the bustling Viktoria Park Hotel here in Bucha, and as I sat there, it struck me: what if I had been here during the occupation? An American documentarian in occupied Ukraine? My days would have been numbered. I’d either be the latest Russian prisoner on trumped-up espionage charges, or even shot dead on the streets, like so many Bucha residents. Artillery shells filled the skies, Javelins destroyed Russian tanks, and people sheltered in their basements. No one roamed the streets, not even the Russian soldiers, who feared being picked off by Bucha’s defiant citizens.

Now, more than two and a half years later, it couldn't be nicer. The weather is a comfortable 60 degrees, partly cloudy—just like Boston. The town, home to just over 31,000 people before the war is perhaps even larger now given the traffic. It’s filled with forests, nice homes, and apartments. Bucha has reclaimed its identity as a trendy Kyiv suburb, complete with a commuter rail station. Kyiv is just 14 miles away, about a 45-minute drive. The noisiest things around this weekend here were the two wedding receptions at the hotel over the weekend. The DJ’s played western hits.

It all feels so normal now. The McDonald's reopened quickly, though I don’t remember seeing a Domino's before. New shops are flourishing, windows throughout the town replaced as if nothing ever happened. The blown-out houses on Vokzalna Street, where the Russian advance was halted, have been completely rebuilt, thanks to international contributors like Miami based Global Empowerment Mission and Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett’s son.

After five days in Kharkiv last week I’ve been here all weekend, capturing footage of a local Evangelical church in Irpin, the next town over. Tomorrow, I’m interviewing its pastor before heading to Dnipro.

To be honest, it feels like a bit of a holiday. No air raid sirens here. They’re rare in Bucha now, unlike in Kyiv, and even more so in Kharkiv. There are no major targets for the Russians here, though I imagine they have plans to strike the power infrastructure as the winter deepens.
​
Part of the reason I returned this past weekend was an invitation from old friends from April 2022 to a borscht dinner. They’ve been so kind, though I’m still not used to the endless vodka shots before, during, and after meals. Lesson learned: wine and vodka don’t mix well over dinner.

Julia in front of Jul's Coffee and Ice Cream

Jul’s Coffee and Cocktails
Bucha’s entrepreneurial spirit impresses me, grounded in a faith—faith not just in God, though that’s part of it, but faith in Ukraine’s ultimate victory. You don’t invest like this if you think the Russians are coming back. It’s possible, of course, but few here seem to think it likely.

Take Julia, the owner of Jul’s Coffee and Peace. Anyone who’s seen Back to Bucha – Finding the Spirit in Ukraine knows Julia and her story of returning to Bucha in the summer of 2022 to rebuild. When I visited in January 2023, her coffee shop had been fully restored after being destroyed. And by the holiday season in January 2024, I was back again and screening Back to Bucha at her new restaurant, Burger Bunker.

Now, I’ve returned just in time for the opening of her latest venture: Jul’s Coffee and Cocktails, a beautiful little cocktail house that also serves duck breast, risotto and mushrooms, and tiramisu. She’s also opened Jul’s Coffee and Ice Cream in a nearby park, housed in a little artisan metal building that looks like Tinkerbell’s house—a little slice of Disney World right here in Bucha. Other creations are on the horizon, and all are in Bucha. Her way of giving back a bit of joy to her Bucha as she calls it. Profit is not high on the list of objectives. Jobs and economic activity a tremendous result. It’s all truly remarkable from a woman who had no experience in any of these trades. She has received no insurance nor government money. Just a bit of cooperation from the mayor’s office. The biggest problem? As the mother of five she is just dead tired.

In the short video attached, you can see the petite diamond cross around her neck, a symbol of her Christian faith. This lady has faith. In God, herself, her family, Bucha and Ukraine.

​Call it faith-based Capitalism. It is common throughout Ukraine. And for those that say Ukraine is destroyed, and the war unwinnable, I say come to Bucha.

Last Sunday, I attended the 10:00 a.m. service at Bethany Baptist Church in Bucha, a gathering that felt like it could have taken place anywhere across the U.S. I’ve captured the experience in the short video below. What makes this moment especially profound is that services like this can only happen in unoccupied Ukraine. In areas under Russian control, such as Crimea and the Donbas, gatherings like these are prohibited. Bucha itself was under Russian occupation for a month following the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Though the Russians retreated in March, they left behind a trail of well-documented atrocities and war crimes.

The next day, I had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Oleksandr (Sasha) Kulbych, the senior pastor of Bethany Baptist. One of the first things you'll notice about him is his excellent English, owing to his family’s strong ties to the U.S. and the U.K. However, it may be a while before he can visit either country, as men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine due to martial law. Pastor Kulbych is a fourth-generation Baptist pastor, with roots dating back to the Soviet era, when his great-great-grandfather was imprisoned for many years for preaching the gospel. He draws inspiration from the ministries of Billy and Franklin Graham. In fact, his was the first church of any kind in Bucha, planted in 1991 as a mission of the Baptist Church Union in Kyiv, and he has been with the church since its founding.

I felt a bit awkward asking the question I plan to pose to all the clergy I meet on this trip—whether they or their church had experienced any persecution. Kulbych seemed surprised and simply answered, "no." He explained that Ukraine is considered the freest of all former Soviet states and satellite countries when it comes to religious freedom.

We also briefly discussed the schism within Ukraine’s Orthodox Church and the government’s efforts to address "spy priests." Kulbych didn’t have much to say on the topic, suggesting it was an issue best left to Orthodox clergy.

What weighs much more heavily on his mind is how the war has affected his congregation. Several of his parishioners were killed by Russian soldiers during the initial occupation, and many others are currently serving in the military, which has put much of the church’s activities on hold. PTSD is common among his congregation, as many witnessed firsthand the brutalities of Russia’s occupation. As the war continues, religious communities across Ukraine are grappling with how they will support returning soldiers, particularly since the government is seen as offering little more than lip service to addressing this looming crisis.

​But on this Sunday, it simply felt like church. Children filled the nursery, the band on stage played worship songs, and though I couldn’t understand a word of the sermon, it was clear. The presence of the Spirit was unmistakable, and despite everything this church has endured, its strength and resilience will carry it forward for generations, God willing.