When Russian missiles light up the night sky over Odesa, most people would think of running for shelter. But for Caleb and Christina Suko, those moments are part of a calling they’ve embraced for nearly two decades — to bring the hope of the gospel to Ukrainians in their darkest hours.
Before the war, Ukraine was one of the most spiritually vibrant nations in Eastern Europe. New churches filled with young families, Christian music flourished, and missionaries were being sent to Asia and Africa. But since the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s believers have faced a new kind of test — one of endurance, faith, and courage.
“How could we leave,” Caleb said, “when God has just opened the doors for the gospel and Ukrainians are in such great need?”
Ministry in the Midst of Missiles
Caleb, originally from Washington State, and Christina, born in central Ukraine, founded The Gospel Today to train believers to share Christ and make disciples. Their ministry has continued throughout the war — often in bomb shelters, hospital wards, and front-line churches.
Life in Odesa is marked by nightly interruptions. “Most of the attacks happen around one or two in the morning,” Caleb shared. “We wake up to sirens, check which missiles are coming, and move to the hallway to stay safe. You never get used to it — but you learn to trust God deeply.”
Despite the constant danger, the Sukos have seen the church grow in unexpected ways. When many pastors fled in the first days of the invasion, God raised up new leaders.
“Men who were quiet deacons suddenly found themselves preaching, serving soldiers, and leading their communities in faith,” Caleb recalled. “God revealed shepherds no one noticed before.”
Finding Hope When Everything Is Lost
The war has brought devastating loss — lives, homes, and futures cut short. Recently Caleb visited a hospital to pray with wounded soldiers.
“One man lost his eye and nearly all his vision,” he said. “Another lost his leg. These men ask hard questions: ‘Why did this happen? How do I go on?’ The only answer is faith in God. We can’t promise the war will end soon, but we can give them hope that goes beyond war — hope in Jesus Christ.”
The churches of Ukraine are learning to sing that hope. Some churches have even written new worship songs about victory — not military victory, but spiritual triumph in Christ.
“When your nation is at war, you understand victory and loss differently,” Caleb explained. “You long for safety, but you also long for eternal peace. So we sing of Christ’s victory over death.”
A Family Called to Stay
The Suko family assumes the risk of living in wartime as a price for that calling. Last summer, as Caleb drove near Kherson with four of his children, a Russian drone targeted their van.
“I felt a strong prompting to turn right,” he remembered. “Seconds later, an explosion hit where we would have been. God spared our lives.”
That experience only deepened their commitment.
“Our kids love Ukraine,” Caleb said. “They’ve seen danger, but they’ve also seen God’s protection. We know He has work for us to do.”
How You Can Help
Caleb says the greatest need is prayer. “When the bombs are falling, money doesn’t help — but prayer does,” he said. Still, practical support enables Gospel Today to continue providing evangelistic and discipleship materials to churches across Ukraine, along with humanitarian aid to displaced families and front-line workers.
“The need is greater, and the desire to serve is growing,” Caleb said. “God is giving us more opportunities than ever to share Christ’s hope.”
In a nation scarred by war, the light of the gospel still shines — through pastors, soldiers, and families who refuse to give up. As Caleb and Christina continue to serve on the frontlines, their story reminds us that no darkness can extinguish the light of Christ.
