CITA missionaries held summer camps 

Summer camps were held in July and August in Ivano-Frankivsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The leisure activities for children, teenagers and adults were organized by Christ Is the Answer missionaries from the Western, Eastern and Southern regions. 

Zaporizhzhia – Ivano-Frankivsk

25 children from the local church in Zaporizhzhia, who are immigrants from Berdiansk, and 25 teenagers from Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, had a vacation in Ivano-Frankivsk.

For five days they climbed mountains, rafted down a mountain river, and played a game called “Jumanji: How to Survive in the Jungle?” The essence of this game was to show the wards that when going through certain trials and their own “jungle”, they should always choose Jesus and follow Him.    

Teenagers from Berdiansk (Zaporizhzhia region) shared their impressions of the camp:

“We really liked the camp, especially the hike in the mountains. We went rafting and had fun – my impressions are very cool! I liked meeting new people and the topics we studied. I especially remember the topic “Addiction”. I realized that God can free me from my phone addiction. On the last day of the camp, the Lord touched me and I repented.” Lev Dmytrienko. 

“I liked the way we climbed the mountains. Not everyone dared to go all the way to the end, but our team reached the very top. I liked the topic “Fears”. I realized that they are different. There are those that protect you from all sorts of nonsense, and there are those that prevent you from achieving your goals. On the last night in the camp, God touched me and I turned to Him.” Mykhailo Vorobyov. 

“There were different topics like ‘Fear’ and ‘Addiction’, and God set me free – I used to smoke and lead a bad lifestyle. The Lord saved me! My mother has left God, but I pray for her now.” Vlad Izlatiev. 

“I liked rafting and climbing mountains. During the topic of addiction, I realized that I am addicted to social media. But now I know that God can free me from it.” Tamara Marchenko.  

The ministers held the “Lego” camp at the bases of children’s clubs that operate in several districts of Zaporizhzhia. Using this playful approach, the ministers shared the Good News with the children and played outdoor games. 

“The camps are very important because children, particularly teenagers, discover themselves and their qualities, especially now when they lack live communication and are forced to stay at home. Because of the shelling, for example, in Druzhkivka, parents do not allow their children to attend clubs and sections. The children told us that this upsets them very much, and in the camp they had the opportunity to show their talents,” said Maria, a leader of children’s clubs in Zaporizhzhia. 

According to her, the missionaries continue to communicate with the camp participants from the Donetsk region after the trip.  

Rivne – Yaremche

From August 26 to 31, a team of missionaries and volunteers from Rivne held a camp in the Carpathian Mountains. Among the 60 participants of various ages were internally displaced persons, children from disadvantaged families, children participating in clubs of Christ is the Answer Church in Rivne region, and ordinary residents of Rivne. The program included interesting excursions, socializing and evening gatherings.  

“We can say that such trips combine business with pleasure, because first of all people hear the Gospel. By the way, during this trip one of the participants turned to God. People enter into the atmosphere of the Word of God and receive the right spiritual influence. At the same time, various Bible truths are being taught to the people here. For example, about the harmful effects of the occult. Also, in this format, in the mountains, people can get a new moral start and relax physically, which also has a constructive effect,” said Mykola Cheremushkin, co-organizer of the trip. 

The camps in the Carpathians are an opportunity for rest, relaxation and spiritual building. They have been held regularly for eight years. This time it was the 36th trip. Through such trips, missionaries can invite participants to churches. Among them, there are many who have joined the congregations and started serving others. 

Nova Odesa – Pervomaisk

“It makes our hearts happy when children are joyful, happy and grateful. It is a blessing from God to do this work,” say the organizers of the camps in Pervomaisk and Nova Odesa, CITA missionaries of the Southern Region, with enthusiasm. 

In August, a team of missionaries and volunteers from the Mykolaiv region held camps for 160 children with the theme “Treasure Island.” 

It was an incredible journey on the “Pilgrim” ship: defeating pirates and searching for the real treasure – the salvation from Jesus Christ. They also ‘sailed’ interesting stations: trampolines, sweets, sports grounds, a workshop (making handicrafts). The so-called treasures of the sea that the children were looking for were texts from the Bible.

According to missionary Inna Titova, after the camps in Pervomaisk, the local church ministers who hosted the missionaries with the program said they were going to open a children’s Christian club. And parents in Nova Odesa said that they would now gladly bring their children to the local church’s Sunday school.  

Kharkiv Region

In the villages of Murafa and Viktorivka in the Kharkiv region, a local missionary and his team held three-day camps for at least 150 children. 

The program included fun games, evangelism, treats and prizes.

Camps are one of the evangelistic tools used by Christ Is the Answer missionaries.

CITA Press Center.