Photos by Ralph Freso
After observing young, happy students walking around the spacious Grand Canyon University campus, pursuing a seemingly endless number of degrees with the comforts of food courts and even scooters, Andrii Tyshchenko had a request for University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin.
“Why don’t you open a branch (of GCU) in Ukraine?” Tyshchenko asked Griffin, who grinned.
For Tyshchenko, senior pastor for New Generation Christian Church in Russia and Ukraine, visiting GCU last week was a stark contrast from what he wishes Ukraine could be.
“I’m very impressed by your university,” Tyshchenko said through Ivan Kunderenko, a Baptist preacher and head of the Department of Apologetics for the Ukrainian Baptist Union who served as a translator during a 50-minute meeting outside Griffin’s office.
Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, any semblance of a university close to GCU is a longshot.
“We get the same young students in Ukraine, (but) there is no single Christian accredited university,” Tyshchenko said. “And that’s a problem. It’s a broken problem.
“Christian people, they don’t know where to send people. There’s no good quality Christian school.”
Tyshchenko and Kunderenko visited Liberty and Lipscomb universities before stopping at GCU, and Tyshchenko spoke later to members of student club Young Women for America at the Colangelo College of Business about not taking their First Amendment rights for granted.
“(GCU) students are happy,” Tyshchenko said. “For them, getting a good education is like a celebration. Most students in Ukraine, they’re very sad people. We don’t have those conditions. That’s why education doesn’t come off as a good one.”
Watching a pleasant environment at GCU made Tyshchenko emotional, and it’s understandable.
In 2021, Tyshchenko said his denomination had 270 churches in Ukraine and 100 in Russia, with other churches scattered through Europe.
But since the start of the invasion, about 25% of Ukraine is occupied by Russia and 100 churches were lost. Tyshchenko was summoned for arrest but refused to be interrogated in Moscow.
“Some senior leaders were imprisoned in Russia just because they were guilty in having affiliations with the Ukrainian religious development,” Tyshchenko said.
After hearing of Ukraine’s plight from Tyshchenko and Kunderenko, Griffin thought of Dave Donaldson, chairman and co-founder of CityServe who has led trips in partnership with No Child Hungry to ship meals to several million Ukrainians.
Griffin suggested Tyshchenko and Kunderenko meet Donaldson to see if efforts can be enhanced.
Since the start of the invasion, about 120,000 people have been evacuated from the combat zones, and 400,000 people have accepted Jesus since the start of the war, Tyshchenko said.
Furthermore, the duty of chaplain is now an official position in the Ukraine army.
“So many people accept Jesus, especially because of the chaplains,” said Tyshchenko, who showed his support by purchasing 45 vehicles for them and believes Ukraine exists today because of its army.
“I do not know when I come back if my house would be still available to me.”
When asked what message he would send to the GCU student body, Tyshchenko cited the Book of Romans, which says, “Good news is God’s power for salvation to those who believe.”
Tyshchenko shares that “we all hear bad news,” which kills your spirit.
“Jesus Christ brought not a single (piece of) bad news. If you’re a sick one, I will heal you. If you have a dependency, I will free you. Even if you are dead, you are going to heaven. For Jesus, all news is good.
“Preach the Word of God, and you’re going to be strong.
"Amen.”
GCU News Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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