Ukraine Re-election Relights Hope for Christian Mission

The Greater Europe Mission (GEM) have reported that the hope for religious freedom in Ukraine has been reignited, as a smoother procedure of the re-run of Ukraine's presidential election is carried out.

Last month, in the presidential election, Russian-supported Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich was elected. However, the authorities and allies of the outgoing President Leonid Kuchma and Yanukovych were condemned for committing numerous frauds during the election.

Anxiety has been raised among Christians in particular as Yanukovych (the current elected president) has publicly stated that only church he would recognise would be the Russian Orthodox Church and would not tolerate others.

Meanwhile, Rich Bonham of GEM said the "re-election" went a lot better than the flawed election last month.

"I think it's been helpful having 12,000 international observers in the country just monitoring the polling places. There have been far fewer complaints and it has been very orderly."

Bonham admitted it was hard to say Viktor Yushchenko's election to the presidency could guarantee the religious freedom in Ukraine. However, he said, "We know that Yushchenko has definitely had more leanings toward the west and possibly joining the European Union and in general that means more freedom."

Bonham wanted to pray with hope in this transition period, "That people would really be open to the Gospel message. During this time of change when there's such dramatic things happening that people would realise that there's more to life than what it has been and that Christians within the country would be there to share the wonderful news of the Gospel of Christ."

GEM operates a Bible school in southern Ukraine. They also use computers training to lead people to Christ.