Ukrainian-Born CIU student discusses how you can support his native country

A Ukrainian-born Columbia International University student is pointing people to the Bible as he describes how faith is bolstering believers in Ukraine in the midst of war.

Andrew Moroz is enrolled in CIU’s online Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies (ICS) program and is the pastor of Gospel Community Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He also has family, friends and colleagues still in Ukraine. Moroz has been interviewed by a number of news organizations, including FOX News where he said his job as a pastor is to “point people to truth and to Scripture and to God and His intention and desires for us.”

He especially noted Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Moroz said the historic context of the verse was to first century Christians who were isolated and persecuted.

“They had every reason to give up, every reason to be overwhelmed. But instead what they experienced was overwhelming resilient hope,” Moroz told FOX. “And they had hope because of their faith in Jesus Christ – because their hope was rooted in something outside of them, and outside of their circumstances, and a glorious future God has prepared for His people. By God’s grace we can overcome evil with good.”

Moroz encouraged viewers to practice good by supporting the Ukrainian people in their struggle, investing in Ukrainian refugee causes, and the rebuilding of the Ukrainian nation.        

Watch Shannon Breame’s interview on FOX News.

In an extensive interview with The News & Advance newspaper in Lynchburg, Moroz said one of the most important ways to show support is communicating empathy to those who are hurting.

“I hope other people can enter into that pain with us, and I’m finding that generally, people are willing to do that here. You don’t have to be Ukrainian to feel the pain,” Moroz said. “We should care. And we should all consider how we could help.”

Read the article from the News & Advance, “Born in Ukraine, a Lynchburg pastor shares his story.”

Moroz was joined by his wife Samantha in an interview with ABC 13 News WSET in Lynchburg where he said: "We do believe that prayer is powerful and effective and we're hearing that our prayers matter to the Ukrainian people."

Watch the interview “Lynchburg-Ukrainian pastor shares how friends and family adjust to life during war.”

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