Lay-led Ministry in Ukraine Is Offering a “Way Out” Amid War Violence, Trauma

The center gives people hope amid the most challenging life situations, its leaders said.

June 5, 2025 | Romania | Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review

In May, dozens of the ministries attending the 2025 International Convention of Outpost Centers International (OCI) in Herghelia, Romania, shared what they are doing to help people live better and thrive. OCI is an umbrella organization that connects and inspires more than 400 lay-led Adventist supporting ministries in almost 90 countries. Among them there are several ministries serving in Ukraine even amid the current war with Russia. One of them is featured below.

Looking for The Way Out!

In Poldova, Ukraine, The Way Out! is helping people to recover from trauma and violence and regain their foothold in life. The ministry, which had been serving people in that region of central Ukraine since 2005, has increased its services since the start of the war in 2022. “Our mission is to restore mental health and social support to survivors of trauma, including trauma as a result of war; domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence; conflict-related sexual violence; as well as other forms of violence,” ministry leaders explained.

The rationale for the ministry is straightforward. “Trauma touches the core of personality—the spiritual essence,” ministry leaders explained. “People who have experienced trauma, in particular the trauma of war, have many questions about God, because trauma tries to destroy the value of the individual, the sense of dignity given by God at birth.”

A Program to Tackle Trauma and Violence

The Way Out! offers a 12-day program with full accommodation, meals, therapy, and recreation. The ministry is currently providing services free of charge to civilians, veterans, and their families affected by the war. According to the ministry’s website, they support people who faced forced relocation, who fear for the son or husband who is now at war, and people who experienced loss of employment, possessions, or businesses. The Way Out! also helps people tackle the aftermath of family ruptures because of war, loss of children or parents, and loneliness after losing family members.

“We also offer training and professional development for psychologists, social workers, health professionals, and spiritual leaders who work or plan to work with survivors of trauma and violence,” ministry leaders explained.

Words of Appreciation

The testimonies of those who benefited from the ministry are piling up, its leaders reported. “My son is dead. I cursed everything: the war, people, myself,” a 57-year-old and father of a fallen Ukrainian soldier said. “But after 12 days of rehabilitation, I feel I don’t want revenge anymore. I want peace. I prayed to let it go, and I feel much better.”

Yuriy, a 38-year-old war veteran, also shared his thoughts. “I thought God had abandoned me. And then I realized I was the one who had closed myself off to Him. Now I can talk to Him again. And although I don’t have all the answers, I feel that I am not alone,” he said.

Svitlana, a 45-year-old from Kharkiv who had lost her job and her home because of the war, also shared her appreciation for the ministry. “I didn’t just start sleeping better; I started talking to God again,” she said. “And for the first time in a long time, not out of anger but out of hope.”

Outpost Centers International is an umbrella organization that connects lay-led ministries that support the Adventist mission and message. It is not part of the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church.