“Special Operation ‘Peace’: How to Become a Professional Draft Dodger?” — Sunday Sermon from August 16, 2026

Introduction and Context

In modern society, the word “dodger” (or “draft evader”) carries a pronounced negative or controversial connotation. However, Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov turns to the Holy Scriptures to show that the Bible directly calls every Christian to become a professional “dodger” — namely, to consciously and resolutely avoid and shun all evil.

The central text of the sermon is a passage from the First Epistle of Peter:

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.'”
1 Peter 3:8-11 (ESV)

Three Rules of a Biblical Dodger

Drawing on verse 11 of the 3rd chapter of 1 Peter, the preacher highlights three main rules for a spiritual special operation aimed at building peace:

1. Avoid Victim Mentality

Shunning evil is not cowardice or passive hiding, but a conscious choice to stop the pain and not pass it on. It is the strength to refuse revenge, slander, and returning evil for evil.

To illustrate this, the pastor shares an example from the life of Bill Wilson, founder of the world’s largest children’s ministry “Metro World Child”. At the age of 12, his mother abandoned him on a street corner in St. Petersburg, Florida. For three days, the boy sat on a bench while indifferent people passed by. Only one Christian — an auto mechanic named Dave Rudens — stopped, fed him, and paid for his stay at a Christian camp where Bill accepted Christ. Instead of becoming bitter at the world, Bill Wilson decided to “shun evil” and dedicate his life to saving children in inner-city and dangerous neighborhoods (especially Brooklyn, New York). Today, his ministry reaches over 250,000 children every week.

2. Build Peace and Do Good

Christianity requires an active stance: it is not enough to simply “not do evil,” one must actively do good. As the pastor emphasizes, quoting Bill Wilson: “It is much easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.” We must invest time, love, and spiritual values into children and those around us before their lives turn into ruins.

3. Pursue Peace

Peace does not come by itself — you need to pursue it and make active efforts. A need near us is God’s call to action. We should not wait for society or the government to change on their own — change begins with personal responsibility and the faithful service of every believer.

Summary

The sermon calls the church not to be indifferent onlookers, but to become those who stop sin, serve those in need, and shape the future of the next generation through love and Christian values.