CITA Ministers Share Stories of Children’s Lives Changed Through Camps

For over a decade, Christ Is the Answer (CITA) ministers have been reaching out to children across Ukraine—hosting camps, kids’ clubs, teen meetings, and holiday events.
Ministers from the Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions recently shared powerful testimonies of how these camps have transformed young lives.

Masha’s Story

“Today, 15-year-old Maria is diving into the Bible, attending church services and prayer conferences, asking us all sorts of questions—and most importantly, there’s a spark of God’s fire in her eyes!”.
That’s how Inna Titova, a CITA minister from Nova Odesa (Mykolaiv region), excitedly described the teenage girl who once came to a CITA children’s camp in the village of Dilnyche.

Masha, along with her parents and younger sister, was forced to leave the city of Mykolaiv (population 500,000) because of the war. They relocated to the tiny village of Dilnyche, home to just 600 residents.

Every summer in Dilnyche, a CITA team hosts a children’s camp. With no other entertainment in the area, nearly every local child shows up—it’s a major event for them.
And throughout the year, the same ministers continue running a weekly kids’ club in the village, where children learn biblical values, play games, do crafts, sing songs, learn to pray, and grow into kindhearted people.

One summer, Masha and her sister joined the camp. Soon after, they began attending the weekly club.

According to Inna, the girls were defiant at first and tough to work with. No one expected them to change.

But after their mother passed away from a serious illness, 15-year-old Masha stepped up to care for her home and younger sister—and at the same time, started drawing closer to God.

“We thought they’d stop coming after such a personal tragedy. But it was the opposite. Masha became one of our most engaged kids. We saw changes in her. She asked for a Bible and permission to attend ‘grown-up’ church services,” Inna shared.

Not long ago, Masha joined the youth group at a church in Nova Odesa and now actively helps the CITA ministers with children’s ministry.

Through these camps and clubs, CITA ministers aim to plant seeds of truth in young hearts.
They believe those seeds will grow and bear fruit—just like they’ve already seen in Masha’s life.

“So many kids come through the club, but when they grow up, only a small number stay in church. And yes, sometimes we feel discouraged—it can seem like our work is in vain.
But then comes a child who genuinely seeks God—and suddenly, it’s like we grow wings! We’re filled with fresh energy and joy to keep pouring into these young hearts.
Masha is one of those examples. It’s such a joy to see lives transformed! Praise God!” Inna concluded.

“Childhood Without a Pause”: Fundraising Continues for Camps in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv Regions

Join us through the link.

Saved by the Prayer Hands Game

“Alright, let’s build a house! Hands flat and horizontal—that’s the foundation. Now the walls—hands upright. And finally, the roof—hands together like a triangle. Now close the door!”
During CITA’s summer camps in the Kharkiv region, kids and their leaders would sing cheerful songs while learning how to fold their hands into a “prayer house.”

It was a fun and simple game—but one day, it saved a life.

Before the war in 2022, Zhenya from Mariupol (Donetsk region) used to spend his summer breaks with his grandmother in the Kharkiv region. Each year, he joined the summer camps.
The games, contests, fun atmosphere, and friendly fellowship kept him coming back. One of the things he remembered most was learning to make the prayer house with his hands.

When Russian forces invaded Mariupol, Zhenya and his mother had to flee. To avoid being seen or shot, they crawled through the forest—over 2.5 miles—toward Ukrainian-controlled territory. But Russian soldiers spotted them and opened fire. It looked like they wouldn’t make it…

Suddenly, Zhenya remembered the prayer house. He folded his hands and quietly prayed for Jesus to protect them.
At that moment, the shooting stopped. After a short wait, they safely made it to Ukrainian soldiers.

“Childhood Without a Pause”: Fundraising Continues for Camps in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv Regions

Join us through the link.

CITA Ministries Press Center.