International (MNN) – Do you have fond memories of attending a Vacation Bible School or summer camp? Maybe you even have kids or grandkids who participate in these programs! Summer camps often mean games, friendships, and fun days outdoors.
But across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, summer camps can also mean something much bigger – a first encounter with the Gospel.
As Slavic Gospel Association’s Summer Bible Camps launch across 13 countries, thousands of children will spend time with local churches in day-camp style programs designed to share the hope of Christ.
(Photo courtesy of Valentin Lupashko/Slavic Gospel Association)
Eric Mock with SGA explains, “These camps are singular opportunities. Kids that have either grown up in impoverished homes, embattled homes, [or] troubled homes – who really never get an opportunity to know a day of peace – have an opportunity to go to these camps.”
The camps may look different from country to country, but the mission remains the same.
“You can imagine a camp in Tajikistan on the border of Afghanistan is going to look very different than a camp in the war zone, very different than a camp in Poland, or very different from a camp in Russia, especially far east Russia,” says Mock.
“What SGA does is not really put shackles on any way that they conduct the camp other than the centrality of the Gospel. So each adapts to their cultural setting, their economic conditions, the relationships they’ve developed with the community, [and] the languages that are relevant.”
Mock says the ministry often reaches beyond the children who attend. “Suspicious parents – wondering what these churches are actually talking about – come along, and every year, parents are coming to faith as they hear the life-saving and life-changing message of the Gospel.”
Kids at SGA’s summer camp. (Photo courtesy of SGA)
That local church connection doesn’t end when camp is over.
“It is run by the local church, and this is vital as we continue to see these children and their families impacted by the Gospel [through] relationships built for discipleship and investment [by] these churches.”
You can support this outreach with eternal impact! Click here to give to SGA, and designate your gift to their Camp Ministry fund.
Also, Mock asks believers, “Pray that, first of all, SGA is able to help the churches reach more than 88,000 children this year. That’s a huge number across 13 countries!
“Secondly, pray that in these camps, children and the parents…come to faith. Pray that these camps continue to be powerful tools in God’s hands. And then of course pray for our continued ministry as we serve the churches in these countries.”
Header photo courtesy of SGA.
