FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga — At First Redeemer Church in Forsyth County, they’re sending thoughts and prayers halfway around the world.
“The areas where two of our churches are located are occupied by Russian forces,” Senior Pastor Jeff Jackson said.
Dr. Jackson is very concerned about Redeemer’s sister churches in Eastern Ukraine. Three in all were built a few years ago within 50 miles of the Russian border. Channel 2 first told you about them back in March, just days after Russian troops invaded.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
They’ve learned the congregation is still meeting at one of them. As for the second one, they just don’t know. The third is gone. “That church took a direct hit from artillery and basically destroyed it,” Redeemer’s Missions Pastor Larry Aultman said. Dr. Aultman has been back and forth a handful of times and has stayed in contact through what is now the 100th day since the invasion began.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Auto store employee shoots customer multiple times in the store, killing him, family members say
- Former officer who raped woman at park, forced her friend to lie down nearby sentenced to life
- 70 Georgia churches granted right to disaffiliate from United Methodist Church
Funds Redeemer has sent over has been used to buy food and a generator to keep the lights on and cellphones and laptops charged. Pastor Jackson calls them at least once a week.
“The first thing they always ask for is prayer, because we’re not there. God is very near to them. We also have been able to respond to needs for supplies. Generators. Food. That type of thing. We’ll continue to respond as long as we can wire funds,” Dr. Jackson said.
Dr. Aultman says as soon as it’s safe enough to travel back to Ukraine, he’ll be on the first flight over.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
IN OTHER NEWS:
©2022 Cox Media Group
