In early 2022, almost no one believed war would come to Ukraine—but God warned one pastor to prepare.

In this episode, we hear the remarkable story of Pastor Sergey Lysak, founder of Father’s House Church in Kyiv, and how God used obedience, faith, and courage to bring hope in the middle of war. As Russian troops gathered on Ukraine’s border, God showed Sergey that invasion was coming and told him to prepare his church. He gave them a choice: leave now—or stay and commit to being a blessing to a suffering nation.

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the church was ready. They mobilized food, medicine, and supplies, bringing aid into Kyiv’s underground Metro stations where tens of thousands sought shelter. As homes were destroyed, they pioneered a solution—prefabricated tiny homes that could be delivered and installed in a single day, providing warmth and safety to displaced families.

After placing 100 tiny homes, God spoke again: “These people need a church.” What followed was extraordinary—four churches planted during wartime, all made up of mostly new believers who had never known Jesus. Churches now stand in devastated communities, on former front lines, and in areas of Kyiv with no prior gospel presence. Through year-end 2024 giving, Crossroads even funded the building of an entire church in Skybyn, one of these strategic new communities which is almost complete.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that even in war, the gospel advances—and the harvest is ready.

In the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on earth, weariness can come and go as a reality for the Christian. This week we sit down with our associate pastor Nate and is wife Jana, along with Crossroads worship pastor RJ to press into a discussion around the text of Acts 18. Through the journey of the Apostle Paul and the personal confrontation he has with his own weariness, we explore the elements of encouragement he discovers in Corinth and unpack how these same truths are accessible and available to the Christ follower today.

We sit down with Charlie Gretzinger (Crossroads Tech Director) as we step into the world of the early church and follow Paul into the cultural pressure cooker of Thessalonica and Athens. We explore the twin “tsunamis” that confronted the gospel: religious nationalism that turned faith inward and proud, and Hellenism that exalted success, self, and material glory. These forces shaped the opposition Paul faced and mirror the pressures believers still experience today.

As Paul reasons in the marketplace and stands before the Areopagus, we see a model for taking faith into the public square—engaging ideas, culture, and power centers with clarity and courage. Beginning with God as Creator and confronting the city’s idols, Paul exposes how false gods enslave human desires and distort our understanding of life, purpose, and truth.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Acts 17

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE