Garland Gould, senior vice president of the Slavic Gospel Association, speaks during the Global Missions Festival and Expo Saturday in the Wood County Christian School gymnasium. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

WILLIAMSTOWN — Not only is Garland Gould inspired by the pastors he sees leading their churches and serving others in the midst of the war in Ukraine, he feels challenged.

“It’s a joy to see how pastors called can … persevere, endure and serve with joy,” he said. “It’s a real self-check. How would I do in the face of this adversity? Would I be as joyful?”

Gould was the featured speaker Saturday at the Global Missions Festival and Expo held at Wood County Christian School. He is the senior vice president of the Slavic Gospel Association, an Illinois-based ministry founded in 1934 as a way to provide Bibles and Christian books and radio programs to the Soviet Union. Today, it supports churches and pastors in the former Soviet nations of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The missions event was organized by members of local churches on both sides of the Ohio River to share their efforts to spread the gospel and support people around the world and encourage others to do the same, said Priscilla Leavitt, chairwoman of the event.

Gould has made multiple trips to Ukraine, including four times since Russia invaded in February 2022. Less than a month ago, he was in the city of Odessa.

Joseph Stephens, with Freedom Gate Church in Marietta, talks about his experience doing mission work in Kenya during the Global Missions Festival and Expo Saturday in the Wood County Christian School gymnasium. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“We did have a few nights of drone strikes while we were there,” Gould said.

While pastors are weary of the conflict, “they also understand it’s given them a great opportunity to serve their community and share the gospel,” he said.

Churches in Ukraine have been resources for people in war-torn areas, providing things like meals and generators, Gould said.

As discussions continue about a way to stop the war, Gould said Ukrainians have different opinions based on their experiences. Someone who has lost a loved one may be troubled by the idea of what they perceive as gains by Russia, while others just long for an end to the fighting.

“They’re just like we are – depends on who you ask what they think,” Gould said.

The praise band New Creation performs “Old Church Choir” Saturday at the Global Missions Festival and Expo in the Wood County Christian School gymnasium. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The Slavic Gospel Association sponsors seminaries and pastors and works with about 6,000 churches. But Gould emphasized the ministry is run by the pastors in the countries.

“They know the culture. They know the language,” he said.

They continue to work with churches in Russia as well.

“Whether or not we like what Russia’s doing, we still serve the churches,” Gould said.

Local churches and organizations were set up in the Wood County Christian gymnasium Saturday evening with information about ministries they support.

This display at Saturday’s Global Missions Festival and Expo was set up by the organizers of Building a Better Burkina, a nonprofit that supports a school in a small village in the African nation of Burkina Faso. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Donna Gaston, from Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Belpre, told about Building a Better Burkina, a local nonprofit that supports a school in a small village in the African nation of Burkina Faso. They need to raise $22,000 to feed 310 children there for a year.

“We haven’t reached it yet, but we’re going to feed them through mid-July” with what they have now, Gaston said, adding she has faith the rest will come.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Outback Steakhouse in Vienna, 20% of the total check for people who choose to participate will go toward the Building a Better Burkina effort.

Joseph Stephens, with Freedom Gate Church in Marietta, told about their work helping 20 churches in Kenya, including building two wells.

“They are a praying people, and they are so gracious for everything we do,” he said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.