From the outside, the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Santa Barbara, just past the In-N-Out Burger on Calle Real, resembles a well-maintained visitor center at a national park. Inside, the building is also practically furnished, posters of Biblical passages hanging from its bare white walls. Its pastor, Mikhail Smiyun, speaks with a languid voice; he looks peaceful and relaxed. Perhaps he has to look this way in order to reassure his congregation.
Four weeks ago, on the morning of February 24, service was interrupted by news that Russian forces had invaded Ukraine. Almost all the congregants had family and friends there, and the reaction was one of spontaneous distress.
“Many were praying, others crying; some were doing both at the same time,” Smiyun recalled. The following services were also heavy with emotion. “Over the next two weeks, we held continuous services and prayed for peace. Many community members — Christian, Jewish, and others — came to join us.”