Considering the war in Ukraine, our first prayer is that there will be peace. Our second prayer is that our brothers and sisters in Christ will persevere and continue to grow in their faith while they offer the Good News to their countrymen. Below Jesus’ words give us one more prayer to focus on,
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?...” (Matt. 5:44-46b)
We are instructed by Christ to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. This is our third prayer. For many of us, we might have to stop and think about who our enemy could be. For people in Eastern Europe, this is a glaring reality. If Christ be in us, we must go further than our minds tell us to. We must pray for people far from God, no matter what they have done or are doing to us.
We talk about being part of the Summit community at our mission. That community encompasses individuals, churches, local businesses, volunteers, Eastern European workers, and more. As a mission community, if we humble ourselves and pray for our enemies, we believe that God will answer. As we lift up the name of Jesus, and pray for those who are far from Him, He will draw people to Himself (John 12:32). As people receive His grace, God gets glory (Rev. 4:11).
In God’s economy, His forgiveness leads to increased love. The person who has received forgiveness will love God proportionately to the amount of sin forgiven them (Luke 7:41-48). As we seek our own forgiveness in prayer, Jesus told us to also “forgive those who trespass against us” (Matt. 6:12-15). This is the way of Christ. As we consider Matthew 5, we see why it is so important to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors.
The Summit community is at work doing the Father’s business. Please read more in our Stories from the Field about the eternal impact that Summit Missions is having. Together, we are making a difference in Eastern Europe!
May God bless you as you give and receive forgiveness!
David Windham
Executive Director
Maria: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Peace
Amber Schafer
12/19/2024
Give Thanks Together
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11/25/2024
Yulia: I am Grateful for the Path I’m Going Through
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11/14/2024
Nadezhda: Thank You for Your Support at this Difficult Time!
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11/14/2024
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11/14/2024
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11/14/2024
Tatyana: We are Not Alone in Our Weakness
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11/11/2024
Julia: A Mother Grateful for God’s Goodness in Hopelessness
Amber Schafer
11/6/2024
Laura: I’m Grateful for the Adults and Mentors at the Feeding and Tutoring Program
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10/30/2024
Practical Help a Conduit for Spiritual Hope
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9/16/2024
Preaching the Gospel and Providing Support
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9/4/2024
Childlike Faith
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8/21/2024
Faithful Servant
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8/15/2024
Going for the Goal
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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
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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
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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
