TIRASPOL, Transnistria – A remarkable Christian revival is underway in a russian-controlled part of Moldova, despite Moscow’s heavy hand. Very few foreign journalists are allowed in, but CBN News gained rare access to the Transnistria region.Getting here is no easy feat. We began the 5,000-mile journey from the U.S. East Coast, stopping first in the tiny former Soviet republic of Moldova’s capital, Chisinau. From there, we drove north along Ukraine’s southwestern border, were Moscow has recently stirred up political turmoil.
We made our way through several Russian checkpoints to Transnistria’s capital,Tiraspol,where a huge statue of Lenin still adorns the town square.
The Lord put a burden on Yuriy Semenyuk’s heart to move his family to this volatile region.
“In my heart,I really love people; that is my passion to serve people.I love god and I wanted to do something for Him all my life.And after a while, God told me, ‘Yuriy, I need you in one place that name is transnistria’,” the pastor of Church of Christ Savior tells us.
In 2000, Pastor Yuriy, his wife, and 3 children decided to move from their home country in neighboring Ukraine to Transnistria. The first seven years of ministry as a missionary family were not easy.
“I was targeted by some people from the government, policemen, KGB, and gangsters. The worst of course was from the gangsters as they tried to kill me, they tried to kidnap my children.Once I was kidnapped, but praise God, God let me escape,” he recalls.
A home video from May 2000 shows Semenyuk’s first foray into preaching. Despite ongoing threats,he continued to openly share the gospel,frequently enough taking his message to areas controlled by gangs.
“Some of the gangsters became Christian, they became evangelical, their wives became evangelical, so they hated this, so that’s why they tried to stop us,” Semenyuk says.
In 1990, Transnistria broke away from Moldova to establish its own government, currency, and statehood. And while it’s not recognized by the international community,the breakaway territory became economically,politically,and militarily dependent on the Kremlin. Russia has about 2,000 troops stationed here.
Moscow’s agents soon began harassing Pastor Semenyuk.But he was undeterred.
“Each morning, I wake up I say to myself, ‘Yuriy, you are still alive, and you have one more day to preach the gospel, one more day to do something for God’s Kingdom’,” he says.
From those humble, and at times nerve-wracking beginnings, Church of Christ Savior today is the largest congregation in Transnistria.
“We have an amazing revival,” he says. “We are still alive 24 years later on the mission field, we are still alive!”
Each Sunday, hundre
Faith and Resilience in Transnistria: A Church’s Outreach Amidst Regional Fears
Transnistria – Despite looming concerns over the conflict in Ukraine, a church in Transnistria is steadfastly focused on expanding its ministry and serving its community, bolstered by a partnership with CBN’s Orphan’s Promise.Church of Christ Savior, led by Pastor Semenyuk, is providing vital educational and spiritual support to residents while remaining committed to spreading the Gospel.
Pastor Semenyuk describes witnessing miraculous events, stating, “The cancer disappears. Or somebody has a problem with their vision and God fixes their vision. Deaf people can hear.” He attributes these occurrences to the power of the gospel and the equipping of believers to preach and make disciples.
A key component of the church’s outreach is the “School of Life” project, run in partnership with CBN’s Orphan’s Promise. This initiative offers free classes to young people and mothers in the community, covering essential skills like computer literacy, sewing, photography, English, math, and discipleship. The discipleship component is supported through CBN’s Superbook program.
Many attendees are unable to afford tuition, making Orphan’s Promise’s financial support crucial. The classes are held in the basement of Semenyuk’s church, and the sounds of youth meetings and ministry activities above are drawing younger attendees into the church community. Pastor Semenyuk notes this organic growth, explaining, “by that relationship with Orphan’s Promise we are expanding the Kingdom of God.”
Transnistria, a largely unrecognized breakaway state bordering Ukraine, finds itself facing increased anxiety due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Many residents express a desire to be part of Russia, but fear the conflict could spread to their region.
Despite these fears, Pastor Semenyuk remains resolute. “We know our calling. God told us to preach the gospel and make disciples, so nothing changes, war, or no war, doesn’t matter what kind of situation we face around us, we have the same calling all the time,” he affirms.
To support CBN’s Orphan’s Promise and ministries like Church of Christ Savior, donations can be made at https://securegiving.cbn.com/become-a-partner.
Stay informed with a Christian viewpoint by subscribing to CBN Newsletters: https://cbn.com/newsletter.
Sources used for Verification & Expansion:
* CBN News: (Used as primary source, but details cross-referenced) https://www1.cbn.com/
* Orphan’s Promise: https://www.orphanspromise.org/
* Superbook: https://www.superbook.com/
* Transnistria Background: (To provide context) – Multiple sources including:
* Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/place/Transnistria
* Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/transnistria
Note: I have removed the embedded Rumble video as it is not directly textual content. I have also prioritized clear, concise language and a journalistic tone. I have included links to the organizations mentioned for further information.
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