Stories From the Field

Our partners at Help the Children International (HTCI) say: “HTCI offers support to help impoverished and at-risk families and children stay together. Of the many highlights of our work (mentoring, life-skills training, community center ...read more

Our partners at Church Without Walls say: “The war in Ukraine, instability in Moldova, and the emigration of people have strongly influenced our ministry. As a church, we are active in evangelizing and discipling people from various ...read more

Pavel, our partner in sports ministry, says: “We are working with coaches and athletes to reach them for Christ. There are millions of coaches, athletes, parents, and fans—all who need God. Last year, one Ukrainian refugee, now living ...read more

Our partners at the Bible Club program say: “Bible Clubs hosted by local churches are the most exciting summer events in any community in Transnistria. Many unbelieving families call and write to leaders several months before the summer to ...read more

Our partners at Children of the Street Feeding and Tutoring Program say: “For more than 10 years, we have provided hot meals, tutoring, mentoring, and Bible lessons to children from impoverished families in the community. The main goal ...read more

As our Eastern European partners continue to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the realities of politics and war rage around them. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. Eastern Europe is in turmoil, to say the least. What can be done? What ...read more

Our partners at Generations Mission Association say: “The number one task in our ministry for the future of this country is to plant new churches and develop new leaders for ministry within Ukraine. We have started a new level of ...read more

Marina, 52, and her husband lost their apartment and all their belongings when a Russian shell hit the city of Kharkiv. This caused them great grief and emotional distress which led to marital problems and ultimately to divorce. Marina ...read more

My name is Kolya. I am in the 7th grade and 12 years old. I have been going to Children of the Street for almost a year. They provide a delicious lunch for us to eat after school. We study Bible lessons and learn verses by memory. We also ...read more

My name is Elena. I came to Transnistria from Odesa, Ukraine with my three girls ages 19, 16, and 9. I have an older daughter who is studying at the university in Odesa, and other relatives still in Ukraine. I was born in the territory of ...read more

Svetlana was displaced from her home in the town of Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine after her apartment was destroyed and she lost everything she owned. About a year ago, after leaving for a city more than an hour away from her ...read more

Hi, my name is Nadezhda. I am 16 years old. This summer was my first time at an Adventure Camp. I had never been on a raft before the camp and will never forget my activities there. It all was just wonderful!  Everything was organized ...read more

My name is Maria. I am from Odesa, Ukraine. I came to Transnistria because of the hostilities in Ukraine. Transnistria is the closest place to Ukraine, and it is cheaper to live here than in Europe. I have three children, my oldest daughter ...read more

Paul summed up his message to Corinthian believers about giving by saying: The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has ...read more

I am Yulia (31). I am a Ukrainian refugee living in Transnistria . I am glad I had the opportunity to go to Adventure Camp. During the week we got closer to nature, met new, interesting, like-minded people, and learned new physical ...read more

My name is Nadezhda Ivanovna. I came to Transnistria from the Odesa region because of the war in Ukraine. Before the war, I often went to Transnistria to sell food in the market. My husband died and I was left alone. I have no one left in ...read more

Karina is 14 years old and studying in 6th grade. This is her second year in 6th grade because she could not master the entire program. Her parents work grazing cattle in the pastures. During the holidays, Karina always helps them. Because of ...read more

“I want to share with you what the Lord is doing in our ministry in Ukraine—Generations Mission Association and Church Network. It is an amazing blessing that in the midst of war, suffering, death, and fear of conscription, there are ...read more

“My name is Tatyana. This year is my tenth anniversary of serving children. I want to thank the Lord for entrusting me with this ministry, trusting me with children, and with speaking His Word. This year was especially difficult for ...read more

Julia is a young mother who lives in Bucha, a city that experienced the horrors of war early in the conflict in Ukraine. After the father of her three small children left them, life for Julia became chaotic. She had no money, and work was ...read more

    “Hello everyone! My name is Laura, and I'm in 7th grade. Since 3rd grade, I have attended Children of the Street (an after-school feeding and tutoring program) at the local church. The church is on my way home from ...read more

When the war broke out, 15-year-old Victoria was living with her family in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. For the first few weeks of the war, the family lived in basements for safety. They had no light, water, or gas. Food had to be cooked ...read more

Generations Mission Association has trained hundreds of leaders in church planting and has a network of churches throughout Ukraine. When the war began in 2022, nearly 50 churches in this network were prepared and ready to respond to the massive ...read more

Lena, SMI’s national Mission Partner and Bible Club Coordinator shares a story below about a young boy who attended Bible Clubs this summer. “Sasha is 7 years old and lives in Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria. This summer, ...read more

serv·ant /noun a devoted and helpful follower or supporter. The end of May marked a pivotal event here at Summit Missions International. That event was Esley Patsch’s retirement (Founder of SMI). As I have come to know Esley and ...read more

“Sails of Hope” has been the theme of the Adventure Camps summer rafting trips. And the goal is to introduce teens to the one who is our hope—Jesus. Meet Dina! She is a 15-year-old teen who participated in one of the week-long ...read more

Social ministry is not easy, but we believe it is a blessing for people to receive clothing, other necessities, and food. We are thankful for all who support and serve with us. At the last meeting about 50 people (children, women, and men) ...read more

Hello! My name is Natasha, and I am 9 years old and in 3rd grade at school. I like everything about Bible Club! We sang songs with movements, played games, did crafts, and watched cartoons about Gideon and David. We also learned Bible verses ...read more