On April 26, 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant created a radioactive fallout that still affects lives today. Young Next Generation Christians in Ukraine are providing humanitarian aid and sharing gospel hope with people in this region.

These images of the town of Pripyat, Ukraine, are a stark reminder of the devastation that still exists today.

Follow this link to the tragic story of the village of Stary Vyshkov, Russia.

Excessive heat in both Russia and Ukraine along with Russia’s wildfires didn’t stop veteran Moody Radio broadcaster Greg Wheatley from discovering the hope in these countries’ young Next Generation Christian leaders.

Read an interview by U.K. journalist Peter Wooding with Greg as he traveled this summer.

This ministry post is based on a report from the national Ukrainian staff of Russian Ministries’ in-country affiliate, the Association for Spiritual Renewal, just outside of Kiev in Irpen, Ukraine.

The Association for Spiritual Renewal (ASR) is thanking God for His work at the first international School Without Walls festival, which ran from June 17-20 along the Azov Sea in Ukraine.

The festival attracted 520 young Next Generation Christian leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the U.S. and India. The festival’s theme-”Time to Live, Time to Serve”-was designed to motivate a younger generation of Christians to pursue ministry and wholeheartedly serve God.

At the four-day festival, people from a variety of evangelical churches as well as different cultures learned and worshiped together as Christ’s body.

“It was wonderful to hear how God, through His church, is doing great things in different countries! I hope that a new day will dawn in each of our countries,” observed Andrei, a musician from Zaporozhye, Ukraine.

The packed festival schedule featured general sessions with expert speakers such as Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice-President Sergey Rakhuba, Michael Cherenkov and Yuri Sipko, and testimonies, project and ministry presentations and workshops. The worship team for Irpen Bible Church led worship each morning and evening, and two Christian music groups, Near Heaven and New Day, performed late night concerts.

Workshops covered relevant topics such as the use of media in the church, sports evangelism, short-term missions and extreme youth camps.

“I gained many ideas for ministry and spreading the gospel. The festival encouraged me, and now I want to serve God with new energy and inspiration. This was a time of encouragement, and I hope there are more festivals like this,” shared Svetlana from Belarus.

Evening sessions focused on different themes each night. The first night focused on an Evening of Praise, the second night was an Evening of Discovery and the closing program was an Evening of Commitment.

During the Evening of Praise, these young leaders were encouraged to worship God in simplicity and freedom, without boundaries. During the Evening of Discovery, speakers from different countries and regions talked about their ministries, and shared some of the problems and difficulties as well as the blessings they encounter as they follow Christ.

Special speakers from Central Asia shared how difficult it is today to follow Christ in their countries. They told about the persecution they face not only from authorities, but also from their families. “Thank you School Without Walls. Thank you, that you love our churches, pray for us and support us. I believe that Ukraine is a blessed country, that the Lord is using in our time to serve others,” shared a participant from Central Asia.

During the Evening of Commitment, speakers declared that the Next Generation of young Christians is a powerful tool for spreading God’s Word throughout the world.

National evangelist Andrey Bondarenko challenged participants to renew their commitment to ministry to God and to a dying world. More than 70 young people renewed their commitments to follow Jesus, and leaders laid hands on them and blessed them in their choice to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

From 3,000 gifts to four times that number in its second season of ministry, Gift of Life-Russian Ministries’ Easter outreach and gift distribution-brought the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to orphans, hurting children and teenagers.

In all, 13,190 gifts and Bibles/Christian literature were given away this Easter season. The gift boxes for the children included candy, toys and children’s Bibles. Teenagers received a special edition of the Gospel of Mark that included testimonies from young people, who have discovered new life in Christ. This Easter, 34 national evangelical churches and 30 organizations and business in the Zaporozhye region also support the Gift of Life project.

On April 23, an orphanage in Volnyansk, Ukraine, welcomed a music group, amateur and professional soccer players and clowns as young Next Generation Christians from the THEME youth club in nearby Zaporozhye arrived to share Resurrection hope and joy with the 150 orphans there.

“Looking into the younger children’s eyes, you see a sincerity that will all too soon be marred by disillusionment, and possible anger and resentment,” related one young Christian leader.

“But those who have not yet lost hope seek in us faithful friends, whom they can see more often than just Christmas and Easter,” continues this young leader. “Some children did not want us to go . . . . Lord willing, we will visit them again. As Christ said, ‘And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me.’ ” (Matthew 18:5)

Seasonal outreaches such as Gift of Life at Easter, or Project Hope at Christmas are some of the many ways School Without Walls students and other young Next Generation Christian leaders connect with needy children and at-risk teenagers throughout the year.

In just a few weeks, Russian Ministries’ evangelistic summer camps begin all across the former Soviet Union.

School Without Walls students and graduates not only initiate this outreach but also mobilize their churches and other young Christian leaders to be a  part of the summer camp ministry.

Russian Ministries would like to help send at least 5,000 children and teenagers to a life-changing week of summer camp. One child + one week of summer camp = one changed life.

Be a part of this divine math today with a secure online gift to Russian Ministries’ evangelistic summer camps. A gift of $50 will help send one child to camp and provide one Bible/Christian literature, a $100 gift will help send two children to camp and provide Bibles/Christian literature for them and a gift of $200 will provide the same for four children. Make a secure online gift today.

Join Russian Ministries on Facebook and become part of the summer camp Cause.

In late February, over 800 young national Christians gathered for an annual youth conference in Odessa, Ukraine. Representing dozens of churches across Ukraine, these young people also represent a new generation of young Christian leaders who want engage culture with the gospel of Christ.

The conference theme, translated as “Gravity,” focused on resisting the pull of evil and secularism and remaining faithful to God’s call on these young lives.

Paul Tokarchuk, executive director of Russian Ministries’ in-country affiliate, the Association for Spiritual Renewal (ASR), was the featured speaker at the two-day conference, which was done in partnership with Connect International and the Brotherhood of Independent Baptist Churches of Ukraine.

A young Next Generation Christian leader, Tokarchuk also shared the training opportunities Russian Ministries and ASR offer through School Without Walls and the ministry opportunities these students and other young Christian leaders have for outreach such as Project Hope during Christmas, and the upcoming Easter evangelistic outreach and gift distribution, the Gift of Life.  Other ministry opportunities were also presented at the two-day conference.

“Our lives are ministry. The more we give, the more we will receive,” declared Mikhail Fadin, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Moscow, motivating young people to become more actively involved in ministry. Pastor Fadin spoke at the conference along with Paul Tokarchuk.

Together, Russian Ministries and ASR are committed to mobilizing, motivating, training and equipping the Next Generation for leadership and ministry.

Find out more about the Gift of Life project here.

Viktor Yanukovych emerged as the victor in Ukraine’s presidential run-off election. Once considered the “villain” of the 2004 Orange Revolution, Yanukovych defeated current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who tentatively conceded the election.

While there might not be dancing in Red Square over Yanukovych’s victory, the Kremlin is likely pleased that this pro-Russia, pro-Moscow leader is now in power in Ukraine.

Many voters became disillusioned when leaders of the Orange Revolution failed to deliver on their promises and began fighting among themselves. It’s generally concluded that Yanukovych’s victory was an indictment of this lack of unity as well as the country’s poor economy.

Even as Ukraine appears to be moving back under Russia’s influence, young Next Generation Christians are moving forward as they are trained and equipped through School Without Walls and other leadership training to reach a hurting society for Jesus.

• This past Christmas, School Without Walls students and graduates and national evangelical churches participated in Project Hope: the Great Gift Exchange, and close to 10,000 orphans, street children and other at-risk children received Christmas gifts that included children’s Bibles, and heard the good news of Jesus’ birth.

• Next Generation Christian leaders have formed action groups to help and support the Christian community in confronting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine.

• Evangelistic sports ministries open doors to share the gospel with young people who would never darken the door of a church.

• And, in just a few weeks, young Next Generation Christians will mobilize their churches to participate in the Gift of Life-evangelistic Easter outreach events to orphans, street children and other at-risk children in needy families.

In spite of any political or economic changes, Russian Ministries remains committed to equipping the Next Generation of Christian leaders to push forward with the gospel and advance God’s kingdom in Ukraine and the rest of the former Soviet Union.

Prayer and Preparations for Project Hope

Give now are receive our 2010 wall calendar

Christians in Russia and Ukraine are making final preparations for Project Hope: The Great Gift Exchange. Young Next Generation Christians in Russia and parts of Ukraine are now filling gift boxers with Christmas presents containing everything from art supplies to small toys. Each gift also includes a children’s Bible and/or Christian literature geared for kids.

Pray for the outreach efforts, that many children and families in need will discover the truth of the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ.

If you haven’t already done so, it’s not too late to give to Project Hope and help bring the good news of Jesus to a child. Make your gift today—it’s one gift that won’t be returned and will last forever.

Give a gift to Russian Ministries now, and we will send you our beautiful 2010 wall calendar (while supplies last).

download the itinerary now

From August 3-15, 2010, journey through history on the magnificent Dnieper River in Ukraine.

Join Anita Deyneka, president of Russian Ministries, and Sergey Rakhuba, senior vice-president, for an unforgettable journey on the Black Sea and along the beautiful, peaceful Dnieper River.

During this 12-day educational and inspirational river trip, you will enjoy a full sight-seeing tour of the historic cities of Odessa (on the Black Sea), Yalta and Sevastopol (in the Crimea), as well as Kherson, Zaporozhye—Sergey Rakhuba’s hometown and the ancient cradle of the Cossacks and later the Mennonites), Kremenchug and Kiev.

You’ll not only explore these unique historic and cultural sites, but also see the work of Russian Ministries in action through a variety of ministry outreaches, visiting churches and meeting with evangelical workers and leaders.

As a native of Ukraine, Rakhuba will provide you with unique, personal insights about the places you’ll visit and introduce you to the strategic ministries that are done with the support of Russian Ministries. A special highlight of the trip will be a visit to Russian Ministries’ new training center and headquarters in Kiev, where you’ll meet with our national team and see firsthand what God is doing to expand His kingdom in Ukraine.

Accommodations are aboard an elegant ship built specifically for river travel. Staterooms are spacious and comfortable, each with an outside river view.

Anita Deyneka and Sergey Rakhuba would be delighted to have you and your family members join us for this first-ever Russian Ministries’ river journey in Ukraine that is sure to be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Please let us know of your interest at your earliest convenience, and we hope to see you next summer in Ukraine.

For more information, please call Sarah at Russian Ministries, 630-462-1739, or email her at: sarah@russian-ministries.org.

International Evangelical Missions Forum
Irpen (Kiev Region), Ukraine
October 24-25, 2008

If you represent an organization that has been involved in ministry to Russia, Ukraine or another former Soviet country, you are cordially invited to participate in an International Evangelical Missions Forum sponsored by Russian Ministries/Association for Spiritual Renewal on the topic: “Missions Today: History, Analysis, and New Approaches: Perspectives for International Partnerships in Countries of the CIS.” This Forum will take place at our ministry training center headquarters located in Irpen (Kiev region), Ukraine on October 24-25, 2008, and will begin with a dedication ceremony for this new facility which is already serving as a national center for our national affiliate, Association for Spiritual Renewal.

During the International Evangelical Missions Forum, leaders and representatives from many different national and international organizations, missiologists and theologians will analyze the experience, results, new opportunities and strategies for ministry in the countries of the CIS. Specific goals of the Forum include:

• To analyze missions during the past 20 years of religious freedom in the CIS;
• To understand the reasons for the crises facing national evangelical churches;
• To outline prospects for partnerships between churches and Christian organizations;
• To study successful models of church growth and effective missions.

The Forum will be designed to encourage networking and the sharing of experiences between national churches and foreign missions, as well as promote future fellowship and expand partnerships between leaders of churches, missions, educational institutions and international organizations.

In addition to plenary sessions, the following four workshops will be organized to discuss:

• Planting new churches: experience and new models;
• Social evangelism as a new form of missions ministry;
• Education as a form of ministry training: diverse approaches with a single goal;
• Theology of missions: in search of new paradigms.

The Forum organizational committee consists of the following representatives: Gregory I. Komendant, Ukrainian Bible Society and UUECB (Ukraine); Sergey N. Rakhuba, Association for Spiritual Renewal/Russian Ministries (USA/CIS); Victor Hamm, “Vozrozhdeniye” Christian Center/ Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (Canada/USA/CIS); Victor K. Kulbich, Center for Christian Cooperation (Ukraine) Alexei I. Melnichuk, Connect International (USA/Ukraine); Valery S. Antoniuk, All-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptist Churches (Ukraine); Konstantin V. Goncharov, Movement “For A Healthy Church” (Ukraine); Sergey V. Sannikov, Euro-Asian Accrediting Association (Ukraine); Yuri K. Sipko, Russian Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists (Russia); Sergey Golovin, Christian Scientific-Apologetic Center (Ukraine); Peter Panner, International Baptist Theological Seminary (Czech Republic); Malcolm Johnson, Youth for Christ (Ireland); Gennady Brutsky-Stepanovsky, ASR Director (Belarus); Vladimir Ubeyvolk, MCPC/ASR (Moldova); Ted Rodgers, Russian Leadership Ministries (US); and others.

We would greatly value your attendance and participation in the International Evangelical Missions Forum. To register, please click here. NOTE: Online registration for this event is now closed.

The recent NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, in some ways echoes the Cold War period, when political tensions between the West and Russia reached a fevered pitch. Even today the world’s attention remains focused on the former Soviet Union—often with more questions than answers about international policies and strategies.

Now more than ever the evangelical church in Russia, Ukraine and the other former Soviet Union countries needs to be well-prepared and equipped for the future, and led by a new generation of strong leaders. This is a generation of young leaders who, despite the changing political landscape, is able to confront and challenge society, and avoid slipping into survival mode as the church did when it was severely persecuted under communism.

Today, the church and these young Christian leaders are an effective missionary force as they confront the social and spiritual problems in their communities. They not only proclaim the hope of the gospel, but also deal with issues such as poverty, alcoholism, street children, broken families and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Russian Ministries is committed to the effective ministry strategy of equipping and training the Next Generation of church and ministry leaders today for tomorrow’s victory over sin and despair.

And even as Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership has stalled, young Next Generation Christian leaders in Ukraine move ahead at full speed in their ministries.

• Last month, enthusiastic young national leaders from the various countries of the former Soviet Union gathered at the new national ministry training center just outside of Kiev to sharpen their ministry skills and investigate new ministry opportunities. Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice-President Sergey Rakhuba played a strategic role at these sessions.
• As the rate of HIV/AIDS infections steadily rises in Ukraine, public schools in Belaya Tserkov have been open to young Next Generation Christians presenting programs that promote healthy lifestyles, which are based on biblical principles.
• With Russian Easter celebrated on April 27 this year, churches across Ukraine—as well as Russia, Belarus and Moldova—are planning a variety of evangelistic services to share the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. For example, in Cherkassy, special youth services are planned as well as Easter programs in various orphanages.
• As summer approaches, hundreds of School Without Walls students along with other young Christian leaders are inviting children and teenagers to participate in Russian Ministries’ evangelistic summer camps across Ukraine.

To read more about NATO’s expansion in the former Soviet Union, click NATO expansion.