CHRISTIANS AGAIN INFLUENCE ELECTION OUTCOME
THIS TIME IN UKRAINE

Rev. Sunday Adelaja, Pastor of Kiev Mega church,
Challenges U.S. Christians to Pray and Support Fellow Believers

MIAMI, FL  (ANS) -- The pastor of a 26,000-member Ukrainian church at the center of that nation’s election fight has just wrapped up a trip to the United States, encouraging American Christians to pray for his country – just as they did for the U.S. during the American presidential elections.

Pastor Sunday Adelaja and his church have become a gathering point for the daily street protests and prayer vigils in Ukraine’s capital city Kiev during the political crisis that erupted after fraudulent elections on November 21.

“I believe this is a critical moment for the future and destiny of the Ukrainian people,” Pastor Adelaja said. “Twelve years ago we were freed from Communism. Though we have had a different government with different uniforms since, the same corrupt people have remained in power. Now, Ukraine has its first opportunity to choose our own free way of life.

More than 80 percent of the population is supporting opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, who is democratic, pro-West and a Christian. “He is a committed believer who is serious about his faith, and is influenced by God and the Bible,” Pastor Adelaja said.

Much has been reported about the role of the Church in influencing the outcome of the U.S. elections last month, particularly with respect to moral issues. According to Pastor Adelaja, the faith community is having a similar impact on the political process in Ukraine. Another run-off election will be held December 26.

“Every day there are thousands of people uniting together -- including Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox – in the streets, Independence Square and in front of the Parliament and other government buildings to make their voices heard,” Pastor Adelaja said. “On the main stage in Independence Square, denominational officials lead the crowds in four hours of prayer – starting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the politicians speak, and from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. each evening to close out the day.”

Pastor Adelaja explained that his church has been actively involved in caring for demonstrators who have been braving the cold and snow – some for weeks at a time. Every night they take in 1,000 people to provide food, clothing, medical attention and a warm bed. After those individuals leave the next morning to continue their vigils, another 1,000 rotate in that evening.

“One of the army generals told me his secret agents who infiltrate the crowds report back to headquarters that these demonstrations are like a revival meeting,” Pastor Adelaja explained. “For several weeks, millions of people have gathered in the streets, but because of the influence of Christian leaders and the church, they just sing songs. Most significant is the fact that no shops have been vandalized and no one is drinking – not even a beer – which is unheard of among any crowd to gather in an Eastern European nation.”

According to Pastor Adelaja, President Putin of Russia has said on national Ukrainian television that only “over my dead body” will there be a country bordering Russia that is pro-western. The Russian president further criticized the current government for not doing more about reducing the rights of Christians and churches, whom he referred to as “sects.”

“We need the prayers and support of Christians in America to engage the diplomatic process to influence and make clear to the Ukrainian government that the people have a right to elect whomever they want to lead our nation,” Pastor Adelaja concluded. “It is also important for the media to not stop talking about Ukraine. As the whole world watches this situation unfold, the pressure will only continue to build for the government to do the right thing.”

Editors: Pastor Adelaja is returning to Ukraine but is available for interviews from Kiev. Please call A. Larry Ross at 972-267-1111 or Giles Hudson at 469-774-6377 for more information or to schedule an interview.

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