There is little argument that Brian Stiller is probably the best Canadian visionary church leader of our generation. He recently drew attention to an unaccountable evil.
Relationships
Brian’s resume and personal relationships read like a who’s who of the Christian world.
Canadian president of Youth for Christ (1975-83).
President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (1983-1997)
President of Tyndale University College and Seminary (1997 – 2009)
Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance (2011-2026)
One of his relationships was with Yuri Polakiwsky, a Canadian who resided in Ukraine. Stiller calls him “a dear friend with a prophetic heart.” 
An Unaccountable Evil
Polakiwsky words in the first year of Russia’s full scale attack some four years ago echo true:
“God is not dead in Ukraine. Yet an undisciplined and heretofore unaccountable evil runs rampant through Ukraine’s lands. What is missing is a relevant, applicable ‘theology of evil’ to act as a moral judgement on Russia. Yes, it is laudable to pray for peace, and it is exemplary Christian behaviour to give to the displaced and provide funds for refugees. It is impressive to formulate resolutions condemning Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine within our religious institutions. But it is not enough.
Shining A Light
“It is essential for any faith to shine a light on the forces of darkness and express a biblically based condemnation of the deliberate destruction and killing of innocents. To resist, and call out evil, is one of the most essential messages of ‘revealed’ religion. The strength and clarity of this will be clear and understood. For it will not only frame our understanding of what Russia is doing in Ukraine, but help save of thousands of lives, and for future peace, in addition to holding perpetrators accountable for their sins.”
Who will rise up to take Polakiwsky’s place with an urgent prophetic voice? Now more than ever, the truth of Russia’s aggression must continue to sound in the squares of the free world.
A columnist, Polakiwsky’s work appeared in the Kyiv Post, the Atlantic Council, The Globe and Mail and Brussels-based New Europe, and Ukrainian publications. He was a member of Ukraine’s “Association of Writers and Poets” and author of the book, “A Lament of a Promise”. He passed away in his sleep February 21, 2026.
Follow Brian on his podcast, Evangelical 360.
