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75,000 vulnerable children, orphans expected to attend
Bible camps across former Soviet Union during 'summer of suffering'
'HUGGING HANDS,' GOD'S EMBRACE: Amid war and turmoil,
Slavic Gospel Association (SGA,
www.sga.org) expects more than 800 local evangelical churches
partnering with the Illinois-based ministry to run
summer Bible camps in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries
this year, hosting a total of 75,000 orphans and vulnerable children
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Slavic Gospel Association (SGA)
May 11, 2023
LOVES PARK, Ill., May 11, 2023 /Christian
Newswire/ -- The Ukraine war and growing desperation in hard times are
driving a surge in the number of children expected to flock to Bible camps this
summer across the former Soviet Union, a region once steeped in atheism.
Amid fears the Ukraine conflict could escalate at any moment, Illinois-based
Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org)
says it expects more than 800 local evangelical churches partnering with the
ministry to run
summer Bible camps in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries this year,
hosting a total of 75,000 orphans and vulnerable children.
"Amid war, upheaval, hunger and growing poverty, children and their parents are
desperate for hope in what otherwise could be a summer of suffering and
struggle," said SGA president Michael Johnson.
'Amazing' Response to Gospel
Last year, as a result of more than 700 summer Bible camps held in 10 countries,
Johnson said more than 7,000 children decided to follow Christ and more than
11,000 said they wanted to start going to church -- double the previous year.
In Ukraine, Bible camps took place last summer in the war zone. When attack
sirens went off, children took cover until the all-clear was given.
"Many children are from non-Christian homes where poverty, hunger and alcoholism
are common, and they've never heard the Gospel before," Johnson said. "As they
hear about Christ's love for the first time and experience the genuine care of
local Christians, the response is amazing. Thousands are receiving the Gospel,
joining local churches, and being baptized."
Rayana in Kazakhstan explained how a church summer camp changed her life. She
grew up in an orphanage, feeling unwanted. At Bible camp, she discovered that
God and local Christians actually loved her.
"Christian camps are different, because children change, and the truths affect
their hearts," said Rayana, who now shares God's love with a new generation of
unwanted and neglected children. "Nowadays, it's very difficult to talk about
Christ in the orphanages. At the Bible camps (we) can do much more."
'Hugging Hands,' God's Embrace
Olya also grew up in an orphanage in Kazakhstan. "Every child in orphanages
receives a mental trauma," she said. "They become insecure, withdrawn, closed
off and unhappy."
When Olya went to an SGA-supported Bible camp, she felt people cared about her
for the first time in her life. Local church volunteers showed Olya that Christ
"gives his love to all children who lack hugging hands."
"Camp reminded us of one real, loving family," she said. "Children form ideas
about how to live with each other, respect each other, love each other. All this
helps children to create families in the future, to care and love the way we
were loved by our (camp leaders)."
Eager Evangelists
Once they've experienced this "loving family," children are eager to share their
experience and new hope with others.
In Belarus, Pastor Alexander recalls how Danik, a seven-year-old boy at camp,
left his friends playing games to tell passersby "God loves people... (and) is
always there." The young evangelist invited them all to church, and more new
people came that month than ever before.
"This is a beautiful affirmation of the work God is doing in the midst of all
the turmoil and war," Johnson said.
Founded in 1934, Slavic Gospel Association (SGA,
www.sga.org) helps "forgotten"
orphans, widows and families in Ukraine, Russia, the former Soviet countries of
Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel – caring
for their physical needs and sharing the life-transforming Gospel. SGA supports
an extensive grassroots network of local evangelical missionary pastors and
churches in cities and rural villages across this vast region.
SOURCE Slavic Gospel Association
CONTACT: Matti Stevenson, 719-360-0586,
mstevenson@inchristcommunications.com