Stories from the Field

Ministry and Growth During War
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 by Amber Schafer

The Generations Missions Association team coaches pastors and Christian leaders in Ukraine and Europe as they develop strategies and methods for church planting and creative approaches to practical and meaningful ministry. 

As Ukraine enters the third year of the war, the Generations team is seeing a large amount of burnout among Christian leaders, financial stress on pastors, and the continued danger of doing ministry in a country experiencing bombardment.

One of the challenges faced by the ministry in the last year is the volume of pastors and leaders desiring training. Although this is a positive problem, the limited number of staff on the Generations teaching team makes it difficult to keep up with the demand for training.

Despite the challenges in ministry during the war, the Generations team planted 7 new churches in Ukraine and Germany for Ukrainian refugees in 2023. Three training schools were started in Ukraine for 30 new church-planting teams, which trained 238 people for ministry, many of whom are committed to ministry on the frontlines. The Generations Missions Association also helped churches with supplies and support for struggling leaders. 

The Generations Church Network launched numerous social projects in 2023, providing practical help and spiritual hope through the Gospel for the needy and displaced in communities throughout Ukraine--80,000 meals were served, 67,180 food packages were distributed, 25 tons of drinking water were provided, and 31,550 hygiene kits were handed out. Generators (50) and electric power stations (50) were given to churches actively serving the displaced, and 30 churches received stocks of firewood.  

Through the Generations Church Network, 62,550 people heard the Gospel, 21,200 Bibles were distributed, and 209 people were baptized in 2023.

What’s New?

  • In 2024, the training for 30 church-planting teams will finish, and one more will begin.
  • Generations Missions Association plans to host a retreat for pastors.
  • They plan to expand their influence and support through personal coaching with pastors and Church leaders.
  • They are developing a network of churches with a vision for missions in Ukraine and beyond.

Summit Missions International is involved in the work of the Generations Mission Association through funding, sponsorship of church planters, and the training of Christian leaders by providing speakers, support, and equipment for conferences and workshops. Your support has allowed Summit Missions International to provide resources so the Generations Church Network can give practical assistance and spiritual hope to those suffering during the war.

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