“NADIA”at the Camp 

of Christian Soccer Union of Ukraine

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR CHRISTIAN SOCCER CLUB “NADIA” 

This summer, young soccer players seized a wonderful opportunity to visit Ochakov, Odessa region, and stay in the third Christian summer camp that is traditionally held for soccer teams. The teams converged from different regions of our country, as well as from Moldova. The whole team is thanking God for granting such a productive time that actually has gone by really fast.

“During these seven days, we were blessed to have some relaxation right by the sea, to have fun and play all kinds of interesting games. We're thankful to God for bringing this young people together and, for giving them another chance to get acquainted with many new friends. The camp was organized with a view to get the Gospel message across to children, and to show the necessity and importance of God's Word in the lives of young people.

Each day of the camp was starting with the Bible classes, where every coach had an opportunity to share his testimony of how God was working in his own life.

Working Squad

We thank God for giving our teens another opportunity to be at the campsite “Zalessya,” during their summer holidays.

This year turned out to be special for our teenagers, since they were not just resting or hanging out in the camps, but worked under the leadership of the church ministers as hard as they could.

Thinking about this project we came up with a name - "Working Squad." Boys and girls had an opportunity to perform various menial errands working as waiters in the camp's dining room, as cleaners or janitors, and as cook helpers.

And of course, there was a lot of yard work for the strong guys: territory cleanup, help in installation of paving stones, help in construction and other household chores.

Boys and girls were learning how to take on responsibility working with others in one team, and were able to experience on their own how hard it is to "make a buck." Considering the fact that we are all prone to give up on things that do not deliver immediate results, guys came to a point when they realized that every job requires a specific approach and perseverance.

Besides the labor, young people got to sit together under the Word of God and listen to what God has to say to them.

Before getting to work, basically every single day they were gathering together for devotions to get necessary strength out of the Word and prayers.

Ten Commandments for Children

In the second week of July, there was a camp for children and teenagers from Community of the Good Shepherd on the theme: Ten Commandments.

This time, at our campground in Zalisya, there were 42 children and 20 team member.

We were pretty concerned that the parents, who are attending our church, sent to camp less children this time than previously. Most of the children were invited in the camp by their Sunday school teacher or friends.

This camp was kind of special for everyone since our young people got to serve the juniors. The children had corporate services at which they sang, listened, and learned to pray.

The participants of the camp were divided into groups of 8-10 people, in which they, under the guidance of the teen-mentors, have studied the Word.

How to Find Harmony of the Soul?

A LOT OF OUR CHURCH MEMBERS, ALONG WITH CHRISTIANS FROM OTHER CITIES AND CHURCHES, WERE SERVING THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF MILITARY MEN, WHO HAS FALLEN IN THE WAR.At the beginning of July, in Zalessia, a joint project of Second Slavic Baptist Church from Sacramento (Second Slavic Baptist Church of Sacramento), Connect International, and IPO Hope to People, took place.

The Christian outreach camp "Harmony of the Soul, or Love Your God with all Your Heart," was held for wives and children whose husbands and parents died in battles at the east of Ukraine in 2014-2018. This summer, we had 60 moms and 85 children, who were welcomed in the camp by 40 team members. We've decided to focus our attention this year on the classes and biblical lessons for children, so that their mothers would have an opportunity to zero in on the sermons, and have some free time to relax and fellowship.

After a morning services, all the women were involved in the Bible classes, where they could read the passages from the Scripture, and be engaged in discussion dealing with some tough issues.

In the evenings, there were held general worship services.

The atmosphere in the camp was friendly, and we received a lot of words of appreciation from camp participants.

We're thankful from the bottom of our hearts to God for everything!

Thanks to all project organizers for this wonderful time, and especially for abundant, comprehensive, and clear presentation of the Gospel. It’s nice to hear that quite a few people were deeply touched by what they have learned about God. It enables us to look to the future hoping for new meetings and development of the service, which has its final goal to glorify the Lord.

English Camp

This summer, an English camp “My Adventure” was held in Zalisya, where 120 young people and teenagers from all over Ukraine gathered together. Most of them are unbelievers. The team of the organizers, who were from different churches, is very grateful to all those who prayed and cared for them. All campers were happy and felt themselves like home. A wonderful hymn, written by Leonid Borisevich, served as an encouraging ornament for the camp. Many thanks to God for everything! At the end of the camp, 24 teenagers boldly declared before others that they want to follow God and are choosing Him. Please pray for their future life.

L O S T

Likewise, this summer, in Zalisya, we held an outreach youth camp that went by the name LOST. The theme of the camp was "Appointments with Christ." Every day, the mentors, along with their disciples, were studying the Bible stories about different people: Nicodemus, Samaritan Woman, Blind Man, Thief, Thomas. There were 40 young people and older teenagers in the camp. This time, everybody lived in a hut – so-called A-frame cabin that is slightly tucked in the forest. This particular out-of-the-way spot has its own vibe and setting: which is homelike, friendly, inviting, and quiet. To put it simply - everybody felt like home. It turned out well, and it was really good and productive time for everybody. The most important thing is that the gospel rang all throughout the camp, and it was clear for all people. From the very first day, our young preachers managed to bring it off. Since there were not too many people, it was possible to converse with all participants and drive the point home explaining in details about the repentance, regeneration, and a real change of the heart (by using the examples of real characters). Many participants are satisfied with this activity, so we received a lot of positive feedbacks. But regardless of that, the most important thing is that young people were wrapped up in this topic. It was nice to see them reflecting on the gospel, and expressing a desire to meet with Christ.

LEADER’S RETREAT

Prayer Meeting of Church Staff

0 On August 26-28, the church Community of the Good Shepherd held a leadership meeting in Zalesya. Members of the Church Council, including pastor, and part of the church's active ministers, were watching together and discussing life-changing sermons, which gave them an insight into how to apply the gospel in life and, how it relates to the personal life of the pastor and minister, as well as the whole community. They were also trying to get a better understanding about the identity in God that gives a right attitude when one faces successes and failures in life. During the powwow in a narrow circle, the leaders of the ministries could give their reports on what was done and achieved in the last year. They had an opportunity to discuss at length about the beginning of the family ministry (family weekends and family evenings). Many had an opportunity to pray for different areas of their ministry.

As the retreat drew to a close, brothers and sisters have come to terms with the importance of conducting the following church-wide events in the half-year:

-          Baptism Service (September 2)

-          Thanksgiving Day (September 30)

-          Celebration of Christ's Birth (December 25)

-          New Year's Youth Conference "Restarting the Heart" (December 30 - January 1)

-          24th Missionary Conference (January 20-27)

OUR GUESTS

We’re always excited to see the guests in our midst. This summer we had the guests from:

Odessa

Kirgizia

Poland

Vancouver (USA)

Kiev

Sacramento

PETITIONS

Our church also took part in submitting petitions about some uncertain and questionable innovations that appeared to be in the school textbooks. We expressed our concern about the new educational strategy in the group letters to the Head of State, Prime Minister and profile ministers. The provisions of the document “Education: Gender Dimension - 2021,” in our view, contradict the constitutionally defined concept of the family and the principles of public morality. In the distant future, such a strategy can lead to the obscurity and blurring of the family concept, paternity and motherhood, as well as the social roles of men and women in the minds of the children...

We took this important issue to heart and signed several applications in accordance with the law of Ukraine for 1996 p. No. 393/96-ВР “On Citizens' Appeals,” as long as we have such a right. Our appeals were also concerned with some amendments to the anti-discrimination expertise of school textbooks for the first and tenth grade.

TRIPS

We were not just hosting guests, but participated in multiple trips. This past summer, our pastor and his team were able to visit some sister churches in Europe, and take part in street evangelism. Two brothers visited different parts of the Korean peninsula. Two young brothers had an opportunity to go to Crimea and visit with some Crimean Tatar families and teenagers. This time, they decided to spend more time with those who were in previous camps.

In the fall, one of our brothers is preparing for a short trip to India, and another, if the Lord wills, plans on visiting Tuva.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US!

We're dependent on your prayers and support.

Tatiana Arterchuk, Anatoliy Kitaykin