The Position
Our Ukraine team is looking for those trained in Biblical Counseling who believe God is calling them to minister to the church in Ukraine and to those who have been traumatized by the war. There is a need for Biblical counselors who would not only be able to personally provide care to those in need, but who would also be able to come alongside the Ukrainian church with training and support, equipping Ukrainian believers to be able to address the many counseling needs. While the war has created the need for post trauma care, there is also an ongoing need for family and marriage counseling; counseling for those dealing with depression, anxiety, loss, and burnout; and counseling in the context of pro-life ministry. In preparation for work in the Ukrainian context, some experience in dealing with trauma would be ideal.
The Need
Ukrainians and their families deal with the same spiritual and emotional problems that those in other countries deal with – broken relationships, depression, anxiety, anger, and fear; but they deal with them under the pressure of war. War has impacted the life of every Ukrainian in some way – frequent air raid alert sirens, being awakened from sleep by the sound of explosions, waiting to hear that your loved one fighting on the front lines is still alive and well, receiving the news that someone you know has been killed, returning from the front lines or welcoming a veteran back and dealing with the physical and emotional trauma that has been inflicted, having to flee from your home or living through your town being occupied by invaders. The war has multiplied the numbers of those who are seeking psychological and emotional help for dealing with life.
The Impact
The realities in Ukraine provide an open door for believers to step in and meet emotional needs with a Biblical approach that points people to God who is our healer and true source of hope and help. There is a need for counseling within the church as people struggle to apply Scripture to their problems, and there are also great opportunities to use counseling as an evangelistic tool. The pain and trauma that Ukrainians are dealing with has made many more willing to look to the church for help and answers for the emotional and interpersonal problems they are facing.