Millions of Ukrainian refugees fled their country in 2023, with one family finding a safe haven for the next two years in Lyons, Kansas thanks to a sponsorship through King’s Cross Church.
This young church plant opened its doors in 2020, seeing God’s faithfulness firsthand amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic. Last year, God stirred their hearts toward their first global outreach to Ukraine. Dr. Glenn Butner, a Bible professor at Sterling College and King’s Cross attendee, started the conversation with Pastor Caleb Barrows. In a short time, God brought answers. Dr. Butner discovered the national initiative Uniting for Ukraine, launched by President Biden last year. US civilians can sponsor a Ukrainian family for up to two years, pledging $30,000 for each year the family lives in the US. King’s Cross Church was able to pledge $30,000 and partner with their neighbor, a local church in Sterling, who matched their pledge for the second year.
After finding a family, King’s Cross sent in the application, waited, and prayed. “We didn’t know how long we would have to wait for a response,” says Pastor Caleb, “but within two days we heard back and were approved! A husband, wife, and young son who’d fled Ukraine touched down on US soil in January of 2023. They’ve plugged into the Sterling, Kansas community, found work, enrolled their son in school, and the husband now has a driver’s license.
Numerous members of King’s Cross volunteered their time and support to find housing, transportation, language acquisition, etc. As word traveled across this small community, someone not even connected to King’s Cross heard about the sponsored family and donated his car. They continue to see seeds like this planted for God to sow in the hearts of this family and the community. Pastor Caleb says this is just the beginning. “We are hoping to sponsor a second family sometime in the coming months and are grateful for how God has brought together incredible local support.” In this cross-global event, we celebrate how God is moving.
