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.

A generation in the smoldering Northern Caucasus (about 900 miles north of Moscow) is growing up with destruction, suicide bombers, intense conflicts and the lure of extremists to join their violent cause.

There is also a generation-a new generation-in the Northern Caucasus that is intentional in bringing peace, reconciliation and gospel hope to children and teenagers in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and South Ossetia.

From Russian Ministries’ regional ministry center in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, young Next Generation Christian leaders are positioned for strategic outreach that includes the evangelistic summer camp ministry.

Last summer, as if to underscore the violence in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, a suicide bomber exploded in the center of the city the day the team of Next Generation Christians arrived from Vladikavkaz to hold camp for the children of Chechnya.

Five days later, rumors flew throughout the city that three landmines had been planted in the main marketplace, where camp staff purchased food for the campers every day. By God’s grace, the landmines were discovered in time, and no one was hurt.

“Throughout camp,” said Alexander, the camp coordinator, “two feelings never left me-a feeling of sincere joy at how God brought us close to these children, and the second feeling that would not leave me was that we were on the territory of the enemy for human souls.”

Alexander was confident that the seeds of gospel peace and hope that were planted in the hearts of the children would bring about fruit. Gennady, Russian Ministries’ national ministry leader in the Northern Caucasus region, added to Alexander’s thoughts, “Maybe we won’t see the fruits of the seeds planted by us, but those who come after us will not plant, but harvest.”

Through God’s grace these gospel seeds are taking root. In a short letter to his counselor, young Mosvar wrote:

“This was my first time at camp! We have a very poor family, and my mom says that we can’t expect anything good from other people, and that we should do everything ourselves. I fight with everyone. But it was awesome at camp. I loved all of the leaders. At home, I sing songs from camp, and my mom laughs and says, ‘What did they do with you? You are glowing!’ I really hope that you come back. Don’t be afraid. I will protect you!”

You can help these young Next Generation Christian leaders in the Northern Caucasus, all across Russia and the other countries in the former Soviet Union plant and harvest the peaceable fruit of righteousness this summer!

• $50 will help give one child one life-changing week at summer camp and place a Bible or Christian literature into the hands of that child.

• $100 will double your impact, and give two children the opportunity to meet Jesus at one of Russian Ministries’ evangelistic summer camps in the Northern Caucasus as well as other regions throughout Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.

• $150 will help send three children to camp; and a gift of $200 will help give four children a week of summer camp.

• An even greater investment of $500 will help send ten children and teenagers to these evangelistic summer camps, where they will discover peace with God.

Make your investment in peace today with an online gift to the summer camp ministry.

As you partner with us in this effective ministry, we’re confident that God will help us send at least 5,000 children and teenagers to summer camp, where they can discover God’s love and build friendships with compassionate young Next Generation Christians, whose own lives have been transformed by the gospel.

Are you on Facebook? If so, join our evangelistic summer camp cause.

The pictures in this post were taken at last summer’s evangelistic summer camp in Chechnya, where young Next Generation Christian leaders are making a difference for Christ.