Podcast
Gospel Today
Hosted by Caleb Suko · EN
What does the Gospel of Jesus Christ look like in our lives today and how can we effectively share it with others?
14episodes
Episodes
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Hope On Ukraine’s Front Lines: Oleksandr Radin
Dec 1300:19:30Tap to summarizeWhat does gospel ministry look like when war becomes daily life? *Read the whole story In this video, Pastor Oleksandr Radin shares how God is working in Eastern Ukraine through The Story of Hope—a chronological Bible study that helps people understand the gospel from Genesis to Revelation. In the midst of missile strikes, displacement, and deep loss, Oleksandr continues to serve refugees, families, and soldiers by bringing both practical help and the unchanging hope of God’s Word.The post Hope On Ukraine’s Front Lines: Oleksandr Radin first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →Childhood in the Soviet Union to Serving Christ in Ukraine
Oct 1700:36:14Tap to summarizeBorn in the Soviet Union where faith was forbidden, Christina’s journey reveals how God’s grace broke through the walls of communism and continues to shine through the darkness of war. In this moving episode of The Gospel Today Podcast, Christina shares her childhood memories in the USSR, her family’s discovery of the Bible, and how she now serves women and families in Odesa amid missile attacks and fear.The post Childhood in the Soviet Union to Serving Christ in Ukraine first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →From America To Ukraine
Oct 1000:46:43Tap to summarizeWhat leads a pastor’s son from a small church in Washington State to the war-torn city of Odesa, Ukraine? In this interview, Caleb Suko shares how God shaped his calling, guided his family through decades of ministry, and taught him to trust Him — from seminary classrooms to air raid sirens.The post From America To Ukraine first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →The Murder of Charlie Kirk and the Idol of Safety
Sep 3000:25:06Tap to summarizeTwo murders have shaken us in recent days. Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of thousands as he debated university students in Utah. Iryna Zarutska, a young Ukrainian refugee woman on her way home from work, was murdered on the subway. Two lives cut short. Two tragedies that remind us that no country, no system, and no human promise can guarantee safety. The post The Murder of Charlie Kirk and the Idol of Safety first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →He Used to Be a Regular Pastor
Sep 1300:44:42Tap to summarizeWhat drives a Ukrainian pastor to trade his pulpit for the frontlines of war? In this interview, Chaplain Andriy Zalishuk shares his extraordinary journey from pastoring a small church to walking alongside Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches. Hear how missile strikes, destroyed cities, and the cries of refugees motivated him him into chaplain ministries —bringing the hope of Christ to men facing death every day. Learn more about The Gospel Today https://gospeltoday.online The post He Used to Be a Regular Pastor first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →Our Transition to Gospel Today: Answering Your Questions
Aug 2900:18:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, talk about our transition from ABWE to Gospel Today and do our best to answer your questions. Over the past 20 years, we’ve been blessed with a cohesive team and a ministry focused on evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. We cherish the memories and experiences with ABWE and are excited to continue our mission with The Gospel Today. In this episode, we address some of the key questions you’ve asked: Why are we making this transition? How will it affect our ministry? What changes can you expect? We assure you that our core focus remains the same—effective evangelism and discipleship. We also discuss the new financial processing through Allegro, ensuring more resources directly support our ministry here in Ukraine. We introduce our advisory council, a group of dedicated individuals providing guidance and accountability as we navigate this new chapter. We also share our plans for upcoming seminars and our travels to the United States and South America, where we hope to connect with many of you. Your prayers and support mean the world to us as we embark on this journey. We invite you to listen, engage, and continue to pray for Ukraine and our mission. Together, we can spread the gospel and bring hope to many. Give online Give by check: Make a check out to Allegro Organizational Solutions and include a note with the designation code GospelToday-Ukr.001. Mail to: Allegro Organizational Solutions 5535 Memorial Dr. Ste. F-811 Houston, TX 77007 Give by phone: Call Allegro at 713-874-1519 during business hours to provide your giving details over the phone. The post Our Transition to Gospel Today: Answering Your Questions first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →What Is Forgiveness?
Aug 800:42:20Tap to summarizeDescription:Forgiveness is one of the most powerful—and most difficult—acts we are called to as followers of Jesus. This episode explores the deep biblical roots of forgiveness, revealing how unforgiveness poisons relationships, breeds bitterness, and separates us from God. From the Old Testament sacrificial system to Jesus’ words on the cross, this episode walks through key Hebrew and Greek terms for forgiveness, theological insights, and real-life applications. You’ll learn what true forgiveness looks like, why we all desperately need it, and how to both receive and extend it in your daily relationships. Whether you’re holding a grudge or wondering if God could ever forgive you, this episode offers hope and healing. What is forgiveness? Let’s first look at a few words that are often translated “forgiveness” in the Bible. כָּפַר To appease, make atonement, forgive, be merciful. Literally a covering: (reminds us of the covering God gave Adam and Eve in the garden after they sinned) This is the most common word in the OT that refers to forgiveness. We see it most often in relation to the sacrifices in the Temple. These sacrifices made a “covering” for sin. That is, they didn’t really atone for sin on the heart level but rather were a sign of the need for God to atone for sin. This word shows us that whenever there is sin something must be sacrificed in order to atone for it. Without atonement sin will become something worse. In some contexts this word speaks more directly of God himself miraculously atoning for our sins and purifying our hearts. Isaiah 6:7 NIV – 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” In this verse we see a beautiful picture of the prophet Isaiah. Here Isaiah is before the throne of God when he realizes his sin and guilt before God. As a picture of the forgiveness that only God can offer, the Seraphim comes to him with a burning coal and touches it to his lips. True atonement and forgiveness from God purifies us from the guilt of sin in our life. Let me just say here that we all need this forgiveness from God. Isaiah wasn’t some sort of “evil criminal” yet when he was confronted with God’s holiness he was able to clearly see the defiling effects of sin in his life. He realized that he was guilty and had no right to stand before God. One of the reasons that people often don’t even think they need forgiveness is because they go on comparing themselves to other people who are, in their opinion, worse than themselves. When it comes to sin and righteousness there is only one with whom we should compare ourselves and that is the Almighty, All Holy, and All Righteous God. Look to Him and you will certainly feel your need for forgiveness and find a way to obtain that forgiveness. סָלַח To forgive, pardon, or spare (Strongs) This word is the most specific in its meaning. Primarily, we see this as something that God does towards us. Isaiah 55:7 NIV – 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Here we can see that for forgiveness to happen in our hearts we also must participate. Isaiah instructs us “Let them turn to the LORD.” Without a turning to God there is no real forgiveness. God’s forgiveness requires that we turn to Him. Another word we use for this turning to God is “repentance.” Repentance describes a deep change in mind and heart when we recognize our guilt before God and humbly turn to him and ask for his forgiveness, believing that he can and will forgive us. How amazing it is to realize that God offers his forgiveness freely to those who seek it with a repentant heart. You don’t have to donate a certain amount of money to the church, you don’t have to repeat some prayer or complete some religious function. Forgiveness is offered free and without regard for race, class, or position. נָשָׂא To lift, to bear up (literally), to forgive (figuratively) This word has the most figurative meaning. Most often it is simply used to describe the action of lifting up the head or the eyes, or something else. However, figuratively it can also describe the idea of our sins being lifted off of us. Micah 7:18 NIV – 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. What a beautiful thought this is! God’s forgiveness is greater than his judgement! God disapproves of your sin but he is waiting and wanting for you to repent. He loves to forgive and he will forgive. God’s forgiveness teaches us that we do not have to live in fear of an angry God. Yes, he is holy, and powerful, and he can destroy evil, but he is also kind, gentle, and forgiving when we come to him with a repentant heart. Ἄφεσις/ἀφίημι To let go, remission, forgiveness / to send away, to leave, to forgive These two words are very similar in their meaning. The first literally means to release something or to remove it. The second word speaks literally of leaving or sending away. In the context of sin it describes the idea that in forgiveness we are released from the weight of our sin, that sin along with its punishment are released. Matthew 26:28 KJV – 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. In the New Testament we see this word applied primarily to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. His death and his resurrection are what release us from the power and punishment of sin. Matthew 6:12, 14-15 KJV – 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. … 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. We also see that this is used in our personal relationships. As people we love to hold on to the sins of others, especially when they have sinned against us. Sometimes it can be very hard to let go of a sin and to forgive someone. How appropriate it is that at the end of the Lord’s prayer we have these words from Jesus about forgiving one another. One thing we see clearly in the Bible is that if you and I have been released from our sins, we must also release those who have sinned against us. A willingness to let go of sins, to forgive those who have sinned against us is one of the greatest sins that God’s grace is working in our lives. Forgiveness defined After looking at theses words in the Bible we can conclude that forgiveness is: “The release from guilt and punishment from wrong done towards another.” Biblical forgiveness includes both a relational aspect as well as a judicial aspect. Forgiveness can affect our relationships but can also have a legal aspect In some cases forgiveness is purely relational. It means simply overlooking an offense in order to restore a relationship. This is most often the case in our personal relationships. If my brother or sister offends me, I don’t have the authority to legally punish them for that offense, but I can withhold my grace and mercy from them, I can give them the cold shoulder, I can treat them with disrespect, I can ignore their presence in my life. But when I forgive, then I chose to treat them with love and care as if they didn’t sin against me. I choose to give them grace, I choose to do what I can to restore my relationship with them. In other cases forgiveness is judicial. That means a pardon is given and the punishment for the offense is removed. Only individuals with authority can forgive in this way. A judge can grant a pardon for a crime but he can’t restore the relationship between the victim and the criminal. However, in some cases we see both relational and judicial forgiveness are offered. This can happen only when the person sinned against has the authority ...
Transcribe →How Wartime Changes The Gospel
Jul 2500:25:12Tap to summarizeOur ministry has changed a lot since the start of the full scale invasion. Like it or now the conditions around you can have a powerful negative or positive affect on how you share the gospel. Here are a few ways that I see the conditions of war have changed how the gospel message goes out. We must say, however, that the content of the gospel message never changes. Nevertheless, our methods, approaches, and attitudes about the gospel can change drastically. 1. War Tests the Gospel Verse: 1 Peter 1:6–7 (NIV) In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Mat 13:20-21 (NIV) 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. – War strips away comforts — It reveals whether we truly trust in Christ or in our circumstances. Faith becomes visible — In times of fear and loss, authentic faith stands out and shines as a testimony. Heroes of the faith are born – Some of the most unlikely people are shown to have extraordinary faith. Superficial belief is exposed — War reveals the difference between cultural Christianity and true discipleship. War Focuses the Gospel Message Verse: Hebrews 12:18–28 (NIV) 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken–that is, created things–so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Distractions fall away — In war, entertainment, politics, and possessions lose their grip. Eternity comes into focus. Urgency increases — People are more open to truth when death and judgment are near. The gospel’s core is clarified — Not “your best life now,” but “eternal life through Christ.” Secondary theological issues -Theological debates that can often separate Christian in peace time tend to become meaningless in war time. War Makes the Gospel Practical Verse: James 2:15–17 (NIV) 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. The gospel is lived, not just preached — Acts of mercy, aid, and compassion validate our message. Christians become the hands and feet of Jesus — Showing God’s love through sacrifice and service. Discipleship happens in the rubble — Ministry to the suffering creates opportunities for deep, lasting transformation. War Makes the Gospel About God New Verse: Ezekiel 36:22–23 (NIV) 22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. War makes ministry empire building difficult – In war time you don’t have the stability to build large facilities and create huge ministry infrastructure. God saves for His name’s sake — The gospel is not about making us feel better, but about magnifying God’s holiness and mercy. War reveals that God is the hero, not us — When everything collapses, the gospel points to God’s power, not human ability. The nations will know — War spreads the gospel not to make our name great, but to display God’s glory among the nations. War advances the Gospel by destroying fear Verse: Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV) 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. The fear of death – War time teaches us not to fear the destruction of bullets and bombs. New doors open — War displaces people, bringing unreached individuals into contact with believers. The gospel crosses barriers — Denominations, cultures, and nations are united under Christ in crisis. Testimonies multiply — Suffering believers become bold witnesses, and their stories carry deep credibility. The post How Wartime Changes The Gospel first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →Persecution of Christians in Ukraine
Apr 17, 202500:12:37Tap to summarizeRecently, I’ve heard claims—mainly from conservative media in the West—suggesting that the Ukrainian government is persecuting churches. Is this true? In this video, I share firsthand insight into Ukraine’s religious freedoms, the constitutional protection of faith, and the real reason behind the 2023 law concerning churches tied to Moscow. While Ukraine remains a country where religious freedom is protected, the situation in Russian-occupied territories is completely different. I share the story of my friend, Pastor Alexander Safetnikov, who was brutally beaten by Russian forces simply for his faith. His story is just one of many, as Russian occupation has led to the targeting, imprisonment, and even murder of evangelical believers. If you have questions about what’s happening in Ukraine, let me know in the comments! I want to provide clear, unbiased answers from someone who is living here and experiencing it firsthand.The post Persecution of Christians in Ukraine first appeared on The Suko Family.
Transcribe →American Identity Crisis
Oct 9, 202400:32:35Tap to summarizeAmerica is in an identity crisis. People are searching for their identity and going to all kinds of drastic measures to change their identity in the desperate hope that with a new identity they will finally overcome their feelings of depression, anger, frustration, and lack of self-worth. . You can simply look at some of the best selling books to find evidence for this. Last year the book “Untamed” was published by Glennon Doyle and has remained in the top 5 on the New York Times best seller list for 68 weeks straight. The book is a memoir that describes how she, a discontent wife and mother of 3, in her late 30’s suddenly falls for a woman, realizes she’s lesbian, divorces her husband and starts a new life with a new identity. The tagline of the book says “This is how you find yourself.” Unfortunately, her story represents millions of Americans. But what do we see when we go back to the founding fathers of the United States? Where did they find an identity for a new nation. We discover that there was no question in their minds about the identity of the United States because they based that identity upon a strong and unwavering faith in God. John Adams the 2nd president of the US speaks about this foundation of faith in a letter to Thomas Jefferson “The general Principles, on which the Fathers Achieved Independence, were the only Principles in which, that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their Address, or by me in my Answer. And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in which all those Sects were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty, in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in America, in Majorities Sufficient to assert and maintain her Independence. Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God: and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System.” Sadly, those “immutable” principles of Christianity and the existence and attributes of God are quickly fading today in the USA. What many don’t realize is that when belief in the truth of God’s identity is lost, we also lose our own identity. Personal identity crises will always follow a public faith catastrophe. That is to say when the common population rejects God, the individual is left with no means to understand his existence and will resort to all new, strange, and extreme ways to obtain a meaningful identity apart from God. Another way we could look at it is like this, all identity crises are really about losing the identity of God, not of self! Find God and you will find yourself! Loose God and you will lose yourself! This is why God begins his very first written words to his chosen people with: Exodus 20:2-3 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. God was creating a new people and their identity would be the foundation for their nation. God knew that if their identity was not grounded in the nature of God himself then it would sooner or later veer off track. God’s very first words were words that clearly, uniquely, and undisputedly identified himself as God and God alone! If you don’t get anything else out of this sermon I want you to understand and to do one thing. Stop searching for your identity, stop looking for that elusive change you think you need to make in order to fulfill your desires and longings. Stop going to extremes to change your body, your lifestyle, you dress, or your home, or something else in search of identity. None of these things will ever bring you fulfillment and lasting identity. Stop searching for your identity and start searching for God because when you find him you will find your true identity. What happens when a nation or group of people lose the truth of who God is? 2Ki 17:15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.” It is no surprise that those who are seeking an identity in themselves and for themselves struggle with self worth. Millions in the US struggle with feelings of worthlessness. Without the infinite value of God they are forced to dig within themselves to find value. They will find all kinds of things within themselves if they go looking for it but they will never find the infinite value of an everlasting, everloving, and everable God. Paul describes what it looks like when people turn from the truth of God’s identity and instead pursue their own passions. Romans 1:21-28 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. Always at the forefront of the loss of identity is sexual deviance and confusion. Why? Because your sex/gender is a core aspect of your unchangeable God given identity. Furthermore procreation, marriage and family are also divinely ordered elements of our society and a Biblical part of our God given identity. To live according to my god given gender, the nature that God gave me is to acknowledge that someone or something else has sovereignty in my life, because I didn’t choose the gender I was born with and I can’t change the gender I was born with. The existence of family itself is a testimony to God’s order, God’s plan, and God’s control of our lives. Thus, it is no surprise that when a society rejects the identity of God, rejects the authority of God, and rejects the sovereignty of God they will simultaneously reject the natural gender God has given them and the order he has put within creation. Man will go to all means and all methods to become his own creator and then worship himself! So how did American culture in particular get to this point of identity crisis? It is vital for the Church to understand where the thinking of the country is today. This identity crisis has in a big way crept into the church. We must identify it’s mistaken claims of truth and counteract them with what the Bible says. This is vital for each of us lest we also are caught up in the futile search for identity. It is vital for parents, in order to give their children a foundation upon which they can build their lives. And finally, it is vital for the gospel. We must understand that any presentation of the gospel must confront these new realities of American popular thinking. Let’s look at three popular American lies that are at the root of this rejection of the truth of God’s identity and his sovereignty in our lives, and that have led to America’s identity crisis. Lie #1 You are good! You are good Truth: only God is good. Luke 18:18-19 We moved to Tacoma in 1999 where we found a little apartment across the street from Wright Park. The following summer a group of young people spent the summer months attacking unsuspecting victims after dark and beating them until they were unconscious. On August 19, 2000 they attacked Erik Toews as he walked through Wright Park after dark on his way home from work. They did it just for the fun of it, they beat him beyond...
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