A Place Where Children’s Hearts Are Healed: Ministers Share About the Heart of Camp Ministry The “Childhood Without a Pause” Project Is Still Raising Support

A place where children’s hearts are healed.
That’s how many of our ministers describe the summer camps organized by CITA missionaries in Southern, Eastern, and Western Ukraine. As part of the ongoing fundraiser for camps in war-affected areas—called Childhood Without a Pause—the media team of the ministry interviewed several mentors and ministers serving in these regions.

“We serve children from underprivileged families, displaced kids who have lived through adult-level problems at a very young age. Our goal is for them to relax, experience God’s care, hear about Jesus Christ, and eat well.
In Zaporizhzhia, kids live in constant fear because of the war. But camp is that one time they can actually breathe, unwind a little, feel cared for, and know they are loved,” shared Kateryna, a minister from Zaporizhzhia.

She also said that many kids begin to trust God, start praying, and become more at peace after coming to camp.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, most of the children who attend summer camps later join children’s Bible clubs where they learn more about Jesus. Many of them stop using foul language, and those struggling with addiction begin to experience freedom from the Lord—and often start coming to church.

Mary and Ivan, also from Zaporizhzhia, noted that some kids become more open to building friendships with peers and mentors:
“Right now, most kids study online and lack real social connection. Camps help fill that gap. They also get to experience God’s love and realize that there’s a different kind of life out there.”

Khrystyna from Nova Odesa pointed out that during camp, the wounded hearts of many children begin to heal.

And Olena from the village of Mykhailivka (Mykolaiv region) said that camp is where children get to know the Lord more deeply. She believes the purpose of camp is to share God’s Word and bring joy:
“The war brought poverty and pain, but here kids find a sense of safety. It’s quiet here, peaceful—the Lord is with us.”

The Childhood Without a Pause fundraiser is still ongoing.

CITA Ministry Press Center.