Hope in the Everlasting Arms

I hope this message finds you well and filled with God’s comfort, wherever you are reading it.

I am still in Ukraine, writing this between cities after hours on a bumpy road. Just yesterday, I had the privilege of ministering at two youth camps—sharing with younger children in the morning and with three youth groups in the evening. Now, as we travel, we just hit a stretch of highway damaged by war and winter, forcing the car to slow and ease through massive potholes that are more like “pot ditches” than potholes. Roads closer to the front are worse, and there were times when I doubted we would make it.

As we violently bounced along, I vividly remembered our first days in Ukraine with Kim and our three children. During that journey, our bus suffered three flat tires from deep potholes. I can still picture Josh—just a year old—attempting to rest as the bus bounced violently over the battered road. Despite the chaos, he tried to sleep. This was impossible until I cradled him tightly in my arms, determined to keep him safe in his daddy’s arms.

The family on mission.

This is a picture of when we first came to Vinnytsia, Ukraine.

As I travel down this bumpy road tonight, I sense the Holy Spirit gently reminding me: Just as I once held my own children tightly through uncertainty and danger, God is now holding the children of Ukraine close to His heart as they journey through the broken roads of war. He is their refuge and comfort, even in the midst of chaos.

The need for God's comfort and security became especially clear during the camp meetings. Many wanted prayer because of the drones earlier in the week. That is the reality here. Yesterday morning, when I met with the younger children, they came with open hearts. They wanted to learn more about God and the things of His Kingdom. I spoke on honor, and they listened so intently.

The younger children during their Easter kids camp.

They are so open to God, prayer and the promises of the Kingdom

That night, three youth groups gathered. Worship was powerful, reminding me of New Life Beach Retreats with Appalachian State students. For a moment, I felt transported back to Topsail Beach. One Ukrainian student said he had never worshipped God like that before. Worshipping with them, I was moved by God’s compassion for these students. During that time, I spoke to them about biblical hope. Real hope. Not hope based on circumstances, but hope based on the promises of God. Hope that holds on to the truth that God is faithful, and that He will bring good even through terrible things.

Click the video below.

Hope, that is not an easy word here. But it is a needed word.

Later in the night, I ministered to a student named Anna. She survived a drone explosion so close that people around her lost their lives, and many others were injured and taken to the hospital. Miraculously, Anna walked away without a scratch. Yet, the trauma from that day still lingers. Her older sister, who was with her, has not yet regained her hearing from the blast.

It is amazing to watch the Holy Spirit at work in ministry like this; it is tangible and so healing.

As Anna shared her story, it was clear the memory was stuck on repeat in her mind—what we call “trauma looping.” She remembered the piercing scream of the drone as it descended, the deafening explosion, believing her sister was dead, and the horrifying scene of asphalt hurled into the trees and bodies and wounded people all around her. Despite walking out of the explosion unhurt, the emotional wounds remained. As we prayed with her and gently led her through trauma prayer ministry, we invited her to find Jesus in the midst of that painful memory. Anna said she saw Him—Jesus holding her and walking her out of the chaos. It is amazing to watch the Holy Spirit at work in ministry like this; it is tangible and so healing.

Earlier that day, I was able to meet with an 11-year-old who had also experienced the trauma of an oncoming drone. As I spoke to him, I asked if I could record his testimony. To the Glory of God, I know that the Lord touched him mightily this day.

Click on audio file below.

Following those experiences, I could not help but think of that great promise:

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Hope isn’t pretending the road is smooth or denying trauma and loss. It's knowing God is still there—holding you tight, keeping you close, carrying you so you can rest.

These everlasting arms of God are not just holding the children of Ukraine—they are empowering them. I witnessed it firsthand: these students are eager to go out and reach their own generation. Their hearts burn to bring worship, drama, and dance into the very center of war-torn cities and villages—the harvest fields of Ukraine. And as I watched their hunger for God and their passion to serve, I realized that they are the answer to Jesus’ own prayer: “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Their willingness to go, to carry hope where there has been so much pain, is the answer to the Lord’s dream and His prayer for workers in the harvest. When I see these young people worshipping, praying, and reaching out, I am filled with hope—a hope that Ukraine will come alive again through their faith.

Even on the front lines, I saw churches under constant air raids raising up young people to minister in nearby villages, bringing worship and comfort to those who stayed behind—most of them elderly. It moved me deeply. If you feel led to help, you can support these churches and believers by praying for their protection and strength, giving as you are able, or sending words of encouragement. Every prayer and note of support reminds them they are not alone.

When I watch these young people worship with all their hearts, hope rises up in me again—hope that God will rebuild this nation through this generation. I believe He is raising up young men and women like Nehemiah, who will look at Ukraine’s brokenness and, with faith, say to their Father, "Send me back so I can help rebuild my city." (Nehemiah 2:4-5)

I also see God calling forth modern-day Esthers—youth who understand they were born for such a time as this. These young people will stand in the gap, interceding for their nation before the King of Heaven, just as Esther did: "If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request." (Esther 7:3-4)

The road ahead is broken and difficult, but we cling to “Abba.” God is not finished with Ukraine. He is moving, calling, and drawing this new generation ever closer to His heart—because underneath them are the everlasting arms.

God save Ukraine!

What hope looks like!