Camp Pearl

Slavic Gospel Association’s Eric Mock says kids in the area suffer from the lasting effects of radiation poisoning. However, in an unaffected town in Belarus, SGA helps meet these children’s physical and spiritual needs at Camp Pearl.

(Photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

“The effects of radiation in southern Belarus is almost incalculable. Some of the children that are born in the region are born with enlarged organs, thyroid problems, deformities, and it has been horrible to see how many children have actually suffered,” Mock says.

Unfortunately, in some surrounding areas outside of the radiation zone, radiation has contaminated the water. Camp Pearl, located in the unaffected town of Kobyrn, is equipped with an ultrasound device. The camp uses it to perform check-ups on the kids and detect early complications. Since radiation impacts the teeth, the camp also provides dental services.

Offering Hope

But kids receive more than just physical aid and health services at Camp Pearl. They also are provided the opportunity to learn about Christ’s love.

“The harsh reality is radiation doesn’t go away overnight. It takes a long time when radiation [is] in the water…and in the soil. This problem is not going to go away. The problem of Chernobyl will not go away,” Mock says.

“But even in the midst of this tragedy from the ashes of the destruction of Chernobyl has been raised up new generations that are hearing the Gospel, new generations that are looking for answers. The church has been there to do that.”

Mock explains how missionary pastors move into this specific area despite the threat of radiation and risk of personal tragedy to ensure these people have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. SGA helps financially support both Camp Pearl and faithful churches opening their doors to those impacted by Chernobyl.

How to Help

As SGA’s saying goes, ‘much prayer, much power’. Will you join in praying for Camp Pearl and the faithful churches in Belarus?

(Photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

Pray for God to move in these kids’ lives. Pray for His healing. Also, pray for hearts open to the Gospel at Camp Pearl. Finally, pray for the encouragement of these kids and those working to serve them.

Another way to help is by financially contributing to Camp Pearl’s work. As one can imagine, performing check-ups and keeping equipment up-to-date is expensive. If the stories from Chernobyl have moved your heart to compassion, will you give to Camp Pearl?

Help financially support Camp Pearl here.

Header photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association.

Camp Pearl

Slavic Gospel Association’s President Michael Johnson says Camp Pearl’s site was originally a military base. The site once held silos with missiles aimed towards the United States (which have since been dismantled). By promising to renovate the property, Baptist churches in the area obtained the land. With the help of SGA, they turned it into a camp.

Camp Pearl runs from late spring until the end of August. During the offseason, the camp hosts various events like weekend camping or Christmas and Easter celebrations. The camp emphasizes healthy food and has its own non-radiated garden and livestock to feed the children during the year. However, it is the focus of this camp which makes it unique.

“It’s a wonderful ministry introducing kids from unchurched families to the Gospel in a wonderful camp setting, but it’s also a therapeutic opportunity for kids… They have a full diagnostic system set up, they get free dental care, and they get certain medical treatments while they’re there. [We] meet both the physical and the spiritual needs of the children as they come to experience camp,” Johnston explains.

Sharing Hope

SGA exists to share the Gospel, equip the church, and help the forgotten. Camp Pearl provides an opportunity for SGA to help share a clear presentation of the Gospel with kids while supporting churches who are meeting these kids’ physical and spiritual needs.

“There is one session during the year where all the children come to participate in the camp (probably about 130 kids per session). They all come from radiated zones where they’re suffering the ongoing effects of radiation in the form of cancer and other health problems,” Johnston shares.

“I’m told they lose about 10 percent of those children every year.”

Johnson visited Camp Pearl a couple of weeks ago. The day before he came, a 17-year-old boy from the camp passed away. The boy had been struggling with cancer caused by the radiation in Belarus. Three days before he died, he had put his faith in Christ Jesus.

“The people in this particular country still need to be reached with the Gospel. There are certain barriers that exist to preaching the Gospel in the particular country, but this is a great haven and opportunity for people to again get their physical needs ministered to, but more importantly, to understand the love of Christ and to understand the true Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Johnston explains.

Be Prayerful, Be Active

Will you help these kids encounter Christ in the midst of radiation and disease? Start by praying. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move at this camp and for these children to come to a saving faith in Christ. Pray for the kids attending the camp as well as those affected by radiation. Pray for healing in the country of Belarus and for the hope of Christ to permeate hopelessness.

You can also help by learning more about Camp Pearl and SGA’s ministry with this camp.

To learn more about Camp Pearl and SGA supported summer camps, click here!

Support Camp Pearl and SGA summer camps here.

Header photo courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association