WCC interview: Communicators in Ukraine are “bearing witness to truth, resilience, compassion”

Marianne Ejdersten, director of communication for the World Council of Churches (WCC), traveled with a WCC-led delegation to Ukraine for a solidarity visit on 14-17 July. She took time to reflect on the communications operation, on the prophetic voices that touched her heart, and what we can pray for the communicators that remain in Ukraine. From left: Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Conference of European Churches general secretary; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication; Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary; and Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee. Photo: Deacon Andrii Sydor/Orthodox Church of Ukraine 23 July 2026 As you headed up a communications operation from Ukraine, what were the biggest logistical challenges?  Ejdersten: Traveling in war zones is always a major challenge, depending on the location, language barriers, and culture. That’s my experience after more than 25 years of experience with field visits, this time an ecumenical solidarity visit to Ukraine with a delegation of five leaders. Attacks on Kyiv escalated just a week ahead of the visit, but we decided to go despite the increased number of missiles and drones. There were certainly practical challenges in Ukraine as well—moving the delegation safely, working around air raid alerts, adjusting travel plans at short notice, and finding reliable connectivity to monitor all four very much-needed apps for air raid alerts, local maps, shelters, and bomb maps—but what stayed with me most was the responsibility of telling people’s stories with care. Every meeting, every photograph, and every conversation carried a deep sense of responsibility. We wanted to communicate what was happening, but never at the expense of accuracy, dignity, or the safety of those who welcomed us into their lives. It was a constant balance between responding quickly and taking the time to truly listen. It's important to listen with a humble heart, as a guest staying for a short period of time in a violent environment. You realize this is the host's everyday life and reality. I joined the WCC delegation only 14 days in advance, replacing a colleague to coordinate the visit and be in charge of the planning, programme, protocol, security, and coordination with the local host. On top of that, I tried my very best to make the solidarity visit visible with support of colleagues in the WCC, with the Conference of European Churches, and locally in Kyiv. Due to the security with the delegation, we published all the material upon returning to Poland.  In the meantime, we coordinated the internal communication with WhatsApp and Signal. Which prophetic voices in Ukraine most deeply touched your heart? Ejdersten: At the core of the WCC communication is the prophetic voice, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and sharing the stories of the "living fellowship" that would otherwise remain unheard. So many voices heard in Kyiv. They were church leaders, pastors, Bossey alumni, volunteers quietly serving others each day, and people who had endured tremendous loss but still spoke about hope, faith, and reconciliation. I was deeply moved by their courage and by their refusal to allow fear or hatred to define them. Their witness reminded me that prophecy is often something that is lived out before it is spoken. WCC communication will return and work on more local and spiritual feature material. From left: Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Conference of European Churches general secretary; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication; and Rev. Karin van den Broeke, WCC central and executive committee member. Photo: Metropolitan Gabriel. What has changed for you about the way you think about the churches and people in Ukraine? Ejdersten: I left Ukraine with heavy heart due to the war, but with a much deeper sense of admiration, respect, and connection. The churches are not standing on the sidelines—they are at the heart of their communities, offering shelter, comfort, practical support, and hope. I was also humbled by the resilience of the people we met. Even in the midst of uncertainty and loss, they welcomed us with generosity, honesty, and trust. They shared their stories with us, and that is something I will never take for granted. It reminded me that our role as communicators is not simply to report events, but to help people recognize one another’s humanity.  What can we pray for church communicators, journalists, and photographers in Ukraine and elsewhere covering war situations who are working every day to tell the truth in the face of great adversity? Ejdersten: Please pray first for their protection. Many of them work under enormous pressure and personal risk while carrying the emotional weight of the stories they tell. Pray that they will have strength for each day, wisdom to communicate with integrity, and moments of rest and renewal when they need them most. Media plays an very important role to serve as the foundational pillar of democracy by providing the public with factual information, serving as a watchdog over those in power, and acting as a public forum for diverse perspectives. And pray that they never lose sight of hope. Their work is about much more than documenting destruction. It is about bearing witness to truth, resilience, compassion, and the quiet acts of faith that continue every day. My prayer is that they will know they are not alone—that the fellowship  stands with them, listens to them, and continues to pray for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Sudan,  and elsewhere around the globe facing violence and wars. A WCC delegation made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July, walking in hope and praying with churches and communities for an end to the war.  The delegation included: Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary; Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee; Rev. Karin van den Broeke, WCC central and executive committee member; H.E. Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionias and Philadelphia, Church of Greece, WCC central committee member and WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs commissioner; Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Conference of European Churches general secretary; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. Photo gallery WCC delegation makes solidarity visit to Ukraine (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) In Ukraine, churches “sustain hope when hope has been tested” (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) WCC delegation meets with Ukrainian government officials (WCC news release, 17 July 2026) H.E. Metropolitan Gabriel: Ukrainian people “a unique example of resilience and unity” (WCC interview, 17 July 2026) Rev. Karin van den Broeke: “The most important thing for now is getting and showing support for Ukraine” (WCC interview, 20 July 2026) Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach: In Ukraine, “their suffering is not forgotten” (WCC interview, 21 July 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland