Dima Vatoulya
Sadly, the Church in Russia and Ukraine is becoming split apart as nationalism and heated passions, even among evangelical leaders and pastors, are creating tremendous division that bodes ill for the witness of believers who are called to be ambassadors of Christ to this world. New Life Radio has become a target in many ways, not only from threats by the government, in the form of restrictive press and religious-extremism laws that could be interpreted and applied in ways to prevent NLR from carrying outits sole function as a Christian witness, but by those across the Church listening community in Russia and Ukraine who are demanding the station take sides in the political crisis. The majority do not understand that NLR is a Christian radio station that is operating on the territory of the Russian Federation, and not a “Russian” radio station, despite its location in Moscow.
There is an information war here and we can’t afford taking sides in it. I feel very sorry for what the government is doing. It’s a real shame, although there’s so much propaganda out there from all sides East to West so that I just refrain from making any conclusions (on the air). It all looks very different on our side. (Note: State TV broadcasts only officially approved versions of the events in Ukraine.) I read multiple sources from all over the world, but still I feel shamed for what is going on. I also feel shame for positions of so many pastors and ministers, Christian unions, and headquarters-- I see so much harmful language and blaming. It is all terrible.
As NLR station director I have to face listener complaints from Ukraine and Russia that we don’t cover the issues and don’t take sides in this conflict, that we don’t condemn one and justify another. I keep replying that our purpose is to proclaim the Gospel of salvation through Christ, learning his Word, and try to do the same: not to hate, not even not hate, but love your enemy and do good for your enemies. This is a hard thing even to explain, and getting harder and harder to keep it this way on air. We need to remember that Jesus didn’t act against Rome, but he acted to bring salvation and not to overthrow any governments.
Dima Vatoulya is station manager, New Life Radio Satellite Network, Moscow, Russia.