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The Evolution of Camping Ministry in Ukraine

David Winget

Most Ukrainians love the outdoors. But believers in Christ have even more reason to glory in the wonders of creation, being intimately related to the Creator Himself! This is why summer camps have long been a part of Baptist tradition in this country.

Considering Ukrainian history, it is no wonder that for decades, church camps were held in secret. We all know of the persecution under communism, and how worship services and every other facet of religious life was carried out clandestinely, and at great risk. Camping was also an exercise in stealth and secrecy. Churches would organize camp deep in the forest, packing in all the food and equipment necessary for a week or more of recreation and Bible instruction. Nice facilities and the amenities available at the state-run institutions were sacrificed for the freedom to honor God at their leisure.  Today, those who remember those days of persecution speak fondly of the fellowship and, yes, adventure, found only in the midst of adversity.

With the dissolution of the Soviet system, came freedom to hold church camps openly. Churches were able to rent facilities formerly denied them, and camps became more popular than ever. But with this new freedom, something was overlooked. Only church people attended! It was a wonderful time of fellowship, but what about outreach? At our first camp experience here, we were struck by the lack of emphasis on evangelism. Even in our faltering Russian, we began to engage key people to challenge them to see camping as a tool to reach the lost. We decided, with God’s help, to model a new approach.

The pastor of a young church caught our vision, and together in 1999 we organized the first (so far as we know) evangelistic camp ever in Northeast Ukraine. “Outsiders” were invited, and half the children at camp came from unbelieving families. There were challenges. Our poor Russian kept us from doing much actual teaching and counseling, and the lack of experience of our Ukrainian colleagues made this camp a real learning experience! Still, the gospel seed was planted in young hearts.

The next summer, we helped two churches with similar camps, this time providing counselor training. Other churches decided to include the unsaved as well, and church camps in the region began to take on a new dimension. Today, we are more partners than leaders. We usually help with crafts and activities, and I still often preach the evening services. I usually bring the gospel message using an object lesson to illustrate Bible truth. Most exciting of all, our Ukrainian partners are learning to make the gospel come alive for children through innovative programming and creative teaching. At our last camp, we were thrilled to see eight professions of faith! Today, several children who attended that first camp eight years ago and some of their family members have come to Christ. They are now members of that same church that stepped out with us by faith to take camping to a new level. Today, Baptist churches in Ukraine are seeing what a great outreach tool summer camp can be!