In 2022, with their home city of Kyiv, Ukraine, under attack during the Russian invasion, our partners, Pasha and Rustam, moved their families to Germany. They wasted no time sharing their faith with hundreds of refugees living in their new German communities. From their ministry and evangelism, a Ukrainian church was formed, which has been meeting and growing ever since.
Although it is a new church, it has regularly served refugees now living in the German community and helping send aid to those remaining in their home country of Ukraine. Rustam is the founder and director of Generations Missions Association for pastoral training and church planting, and primary pastor of this new church. He has been building ties between the Ukrainian Church in Germany and the local German Church with aspirations of seeing them minister together in their community.
This unity in ministry was seen recently as the Ukrainian Church in Warendorf, together with the Freie Kirchen Gemeinde Warendorf (Free Church in Warendorf), along with our partner, Pasha, and his FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) team, held a three-day sports camp for children at the soccer stadium in Warendorf, Germany.
The goal was that this camp would be an evangelistic opportunity to reach children and teenagers from Ukraine and Germany. The focus was to build relationships with children and their parents and invite them to church events: camps, Sunday School for children, teenage ministries, and other ministries of the churches.
A team of 80 volunteers from Ukraine, Germany, the USA, and Brazil served at the camp. At the two-day “Leadership Journey” training for volunteers, the team got to know and build relationships with each other and learned how to be effective leaders.
160 young people participated in the camp. Every day there was soccer practice, sports activities, fun, lots of fellowship, and Bible lessons where the kids heard the Gospel. The camp leaders talked with them about the theme of the camp, GREATER, and the verse from John 3:30, which says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The GREATER Impact of the Sports Camp
As competitors, athletes always dream of something greater. They train tirelessly to reach their potential, seeking approval from teammates, coaches, and fans. The promise of a trophy or praise pushes them to succeed. Their identity becomes about performance—how well they play, not who they are. The pressure to succeed fuels their purpose to compete every day.
But what happens when their season ends, or these athletes don’t perform well? What does that say about their potential
or purpose? The world says they’re not good enough—that they’ve failed. But Jesus Christ says differently.
In Christ, we all have a Greater potential than what is on a score board. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we have the promise of a new life. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we give up the old expectations to gain a new identity in Christ. The pressure to perform evaporates, and our performance is transformed. We no longer compete for something Greater, but for Someone Greater. We play with a new purpose: He must become Greater, and we must become less.
Working for the Spread of the Gospel
“I thank God for the opportunity to preach the Gospel to athletes and children,” said our partner, Pasha. He told us previously that many young refugees have not heard the Gospel. Using his experience in sports, ministry, and work with FCA, Pasha's desire is to see lives changed because of Jesus.
Learn more about Summit Missions International’s partnership with these ministries!
Preaching the Gospel and Providing Support
Amber Schafer
9/4/2024
Childlike Faith
Amber Schafer
8/21/2024
Faithful Servant
Amber Schafer
8/15/2024
Going for the Goal
Amber Schafer
8/15/2024
A Ukrainian Church Plant Provides Practical Help and Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer
7/1/2024
Natasha: I Like Everything About Bible Club!
Amber Schafer
7/1/2024
Ministry on the Frontlines of War
Amber Schafer
6/24/2024
Sports: Building Meaningful Relationships and Sharing About Jesus
Amber Schafer
6/3/2024
Reaching Ukrainian Youth with God’s Word
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Your Support Prepares Leaders for the Growth of Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Dasha: I Liked Hearing About God at Bible Club!
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Volunteers Make a Difference Serving at Our Warehouse in Ohio
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Three Prayers
David Windham
5/20/2024
Anastasia: Adventure Camps Helped Prepare Me for the Future
Amber Schafer
5/9/2024
Finding Encouragement and Support at Help the Children International
Amber Schafer
5/2/2024
Belief Through Curiosity in the Local Church
Amber Schafer
4/30/2024
Ministry on the Sports Field
Amber Schafer
4/11/2024
Providing a Place of Safety
Amber Schafer
3/19/2024
An Opportunity to Hear the Good News of Jesus
Amber Schafer
3/12/2024
Making an Eternal Impact in the Lives of Hundreds of Young People
Amber Schafer
3/6/2024
Hope Amid Destruction
Amber Schafer
2/29/2024
Teaching, Instructing, and Talking About God
Amber Schafer
2/29/2024
Ministry and Growth During War
Amber Schafer
2/28/2024
See the Smiles You Brought to Kids in Ukraine!
Amber Schafer
2/8/2024
Painting Joy for Ukrainian Refugees
Amber Schafer
2/1/2024
Nelya’s Story: Lord, Have Mercy on Me!
Amber Schafer
1/15/2024
Room for Dreams and Desires to Develop for Her Future
Amber Schafer
1/11/2024
Adventure Camps Bring Spiritual Development
Amber Schafer
1/11/2024
A Gift You Can Share
Amber Schafer
12/11/2023
Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Helping Those Who Have Left Occupied Territories
Amber Schafer
12/6/2023
Sharing the Bread of Life
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
I Want Them to Come to Bible Club Because They Do Not Know a Lot About Jesus
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
After Adventure Camp, I Began to Think More About Life and the Future
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
Church Growth During War in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
11/21/2023
I Have Learned A Lot About God
Amber Schafer
11/21/2023
Bible Clubs: Building Long-Term, Promising Relationships with Children and Parents
Amber Schafer
11/8/2023
Larisa’s Story
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
A Place of Safety and Growth
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
Halyna’s Story
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
Smiles are on the way to Ukraine!
Amber Schafer
10/12/2023
Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Growing Young Faith
Amber Schafer
9/6/2023
Bible Clubs are Making an Impact at New Village Churches
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Fervent in Spirit and Serving the Lord in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Showing Teens in Moldova and Transnistria the Path to God
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Flooding in Kherson Compounds the Devastation of War
Amber Schafer
8/17/2023
Your Support Allows Us to Nurture Children
Amber Schafer
8/17/2023
Help the Children Agricultural Project: Giving At-Risk Families Food Security
Amber Schafer
8/15/2023
Last Hope
Amber Schafer
8/11/2023
Bring Help and Smiles to Ukrainian Children
Amber Schafer
8/1/2023
Skepticism Erased
Amber Schafer
8/1/2023
Natalia's Story: Attention Drawn to God Through Difficult Circumstances
Amber Schafer
7/25/2023
Greater Sports Camp for the Gospel
Amber Schafer
7/17/2023
Simplicity and Faithfulness
Amber Schafer
7/12/2023
Mila Finds Meaning in Life
Amber Schafer
6/26/2023
Help the Children: My Second Home
Amber Schafer
6/26/2023
Bringing Refugees Back to the Path of Hope
Amber Schafer
6/20/2023
Developing Young Leaders Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
6/15/2023
God Changes Character
Amber Schafer
6/8/2023
Character Development Through Adventure Camp
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Why Volunteer?
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Ukraine War Update
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Karina’s Family Finds Help and Friendship at a Church in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
5/30/2023
Summer Break = Time for Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
5/30/2023
The Russian Invasion: A Catalyst for Drawing People Into a Restored and Redeemed Relationship with
Amber Schafer
5/24/2023
A Different Life Picture is Taking Shape Through the Children of the Street Program
Amber Schafer
5/23/2023
Simple Things Bring About Great Change for Displaced Ukrainians
Amber Schafer
5/16/2023
Not Your Average Dream Come True!
Amber Schafer
5/11/2023
Like the Sun Shining in My Heart
Amber Schafer
5/8/2023
Inside Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer
4/25/2023
Vika Finds Hope Through Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer
3/30/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Strength to Serve
Amber Schafer
3/20/2023
Lida's Story
Amber Schafer
3/15/2023
A Review of Ministry in 2022
Amber Schafer
3/7/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Touching the Hearts of People
Amber Schafer
3/6/2023
The Significant Influence of Mentoring
Amber Schafer
3/2/2023
A Nebraska Grandmother Helps Bring Joy to Ukrainian Refugee Children
Amber Schafer
3/1/2023
Elena Finds Hope in an Unfamiliar Place
Amber Schafer
2/22/2023
God Changes Hearts
Amber Schafer
2/20/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Salt and Light
Amber Schafer
2/16/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Thank you for your continued remembrance and support
Amber Schafer
2/9/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: We Sincerely Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve
Amber Schafer
2/2/2023
The Joy of Seeing
Amber Schafer
1/31/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Precious Contributions
Amber Schafer
1/17/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: God is touching many lives through your help!
Amber Schafer
1/5/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Darker it is, the Greater the Need for Light.
Amber Schafer
1/4/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: When We Care for God's Kingdom, He Cares for Us
Amber Schafer
12/19/2022
Jesus Was a Refugee Too
Amber Schafer
12/19/2022
Loving and Helping Ukrainian Refugees this Christmas
Amber Schafer
12/15/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Working Miracles
Amber Schafer
12/14/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: You Helped Us Expand Our Boundaries
Amber Schafer
12/13/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Maintaining Relationships
Amber Schafer
12/6/2022
Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Sharing Spiritual and Physical Food
Amber Schafer
11/29/2022
Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Thank You for Your Encouragement!
Amber Schafer
11/28/2022
She Saw it as a Miracle!
Amber Schafer
11/10/2022
Backpacks for Refugee Children
Amber Schafer
11/8/2022
Olga: A Refugee Sharing Faith
Amber Schafer
11/3/2022
Attention, Care and Love
Amber Schafer
10/27/2022
Serving and Helping Together
Amber Schafer
10/19/2022
Zinaida and Ruslan: At First They Were Skeptical
Amber Schafer
10/5/2022
Tanya: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Support Through the Local Church
Amber Schafer
9/22/2022
Andrey: A Refugee Boy’s First Step on the Path of Spiritual Awakening
Amber Schafer
9/22/2022
Thank You for Responding to the Needs of Ukrainians
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
Zhanna: She Did Not Want to Hear Anything About the Church
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
A Refugee Family Thanks Our Partner in Transnistria
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
Tanya: Serving God by Working with Children
Amber Schafer
9/1/2022
Olga: This Program is the Best Way to Tell Children About Jesus
Amber Schafer
8/11/2022
Alla: This Church Has Become Like Family to Us
Amber Schafer
8/10/2022
Varya: Serving Children with a Heart Full of Love
Amber Schafer
8/4/2022
Olena: This Is My Story!
Amber Schafer
7/27/2022
Your Support Helped Refugee, Zlata, Receive a Food Package!
Amber Schafer
7/12/2022
Katya's Family Receives Shelter and Support from Help The Children
Amber Schafer
7/7/2022
Reaching the Hearts of Children and Refugees
Amber Schafer
6/28/2022
Seeking Hope and Security
Amber Schafer
6/22/2022
Refugees Receive Care and Support
Amber Schafer
6/7/2022
Refugees Experience the Care of the Local Church
Amber Schafer
5/31/2022
Your Care Makes a Difference in Wartime
Amber Schafer
5/19/2022
Fear to Faith
Amber Schafer
5/13/2022
A Seed Planted
Amber Schafer
5/2/2022
Opening Arms to Help Hurting Neighbors from Ukraine
Amber Schafer
4/26/2022
Practical Help to Refugees of War
Amber Schafer
4/12/2022
Refuge from War is Found at Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
4/4/2022
Helping Refugees from Ukraine Through the Help The Children Charity
Amber Schafer
3/31/2022
Transnistrian Partners Serve Like “The Good Samaritan”
Amber Schafer
3/30/2022
The Ukrainian Church is Serving in a Time of War
Amber Schafer
3/28/2022
Maybe There is a God!
Amber Schafer
3/17/2022
Help the Children is Providing Women and Children a Haven from the War
Amber Schafer
3/11/2022
Simple Blankets, Big Impact
Amber Schafer
2/24/2022
1,737 Children Hear About Jesus Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
2/7/2022
Extreme Activities and Camping Make an Eternal Impact in the Lives of Teens
Amber Schafer
1/24/2022
Larisa's Family Is Helped Through The Local Church
Amber Schafer
12/14/2021
Reaching Neighborhood Youth Through Sports
Amber Schafer
12/14/2021
Family Food Pack Update
SMI Staff
10/5/2021
Vlad Gets Help Navigating Life
Amber Schafer
8/4/2021
Thanks from Children of the Street
SMI Staff
8/3/2021
A Relationship Leads to Discipleship
Amber Schafer
8/1/2021
“The Foundation of My Life Was Laid” Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
6/1/2021
2020 in Retrospect
Esley Patsch, Founder
4/1/2021