Ukrainian pastor to speak

The Rev. Andriy and Maryna Takhtay, from Kyiv, Ukraine, will speak at 7 p.m. today at Mount Blanchard United Methodist Church, 204 S. Main St., Mount Blanchard. The Rev. Andriy Takhtay is the pastor of a Church of the Nazarene in Kyiv, along with being the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries director for all of Ukraine. He been assisting with evacuation efforts for those who are leaving the war-torn country. Whenever he is across a neighboring border, he collects as many food items as he can transport and deliver to Ukrainian soldiers, a press release states. "Faith communities need to become as informed as possible, and take advantage of any information sources that are not as filtered by national/international media," wrote The Rev. Jim Williams, pastor of Mount Blanchard Church of the Nazarene, in an email to The Courier. "The Takhtays are boots-on-the-ground." Williams added that "people need to know that people are hurting, people of all ages are dying, people are experiencing unspeakable grief and anxiety as their homes/culture are being attacked. The amount of loss is staggering." In addition, he wrote, when people have "balanced information from balanced sources" they are in a better position to discover how they can help. "Prayer? Certainly. Donations? Absolutely," Williams wrote. "Faith communities can also seek guidance from the Spirit of God on creative ways to be involved." The event is open to the public. It is hosted by Riverdale Ministerial Association, Mount Blanchard United Methodist Church, Mount Blanchard Church of the Nazarene and Northwestern Ohio District Church of the Nazarene. The Northwestern Ohio District Church of the Nazarene was instrumental in bringing the Takhtays to the United States with special permission of the Ukrainian government. Normally, men of the Rev. Andriy Takhtay's age are required to stay and help defend their country. The Takhtays have been sharing their story around northwest Ohio since June 13, and will continue doing so through July 4. A freewill love offering will be collected for the Takhtays to assist their relief efforts in Ukraine. The offering will be administered through the Church of the Nazarene Northwestern Ohio District Office in St. Marys.