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We are about enabling, building and partnering in the ministry of local churches in Ukraine and former Soviet Union through Christian youth camping programs. This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary as a ministry.

In 25 years we can see more than just the results. We can see the impact of our ministry. Also research bears this out in that two recent research projects conducted here in Ukraine independently by One Hope International (2015), and HODOS Institute for Leadership Research and Development in Eurasia (2019), Christian Camping has been recognized as the second most effective tool the church has had for the past 25 years for connecting with the young audiences and for leadership development among adolescents, the first most effective tool being Church-Based Bible Study programs, like Sunday schools or youth Bible studies.

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We were brought together and then brought up by Kingdom Ventures, Canada, who had come to the then-Soviet Union in 1991, 30 years ago, to help develop Christian camping across the Soviet empire. In those years camps were a very new way of ministry to churches and many viewed the idea with apprehension. We now see that camping is being effectively used by churches across the FSU.

Every year we train close to 3,000 camp leaders who in turn serve 60,000 campers through 700 Christian camps in six countries of the former Soviet Union. We’ve heard from camp leaders who attended our training events this year when we were able to get together in person after one year of offering virtual training programs:

· “The atmosphere of the camp setting is energizing and inspiring to move ahead with renewed vigor. This is the time and place of renewal.”

· “It is impossible to get this kind of drive and energy online.”

· “Such face-to-face conferences are very few. We must seize the opportunity!”

· “Serving teenagers is important for me. I needed to hear the experience of others firsthand.”

· “Learning is better absorbed when in-person, and you have a better understanding how to apply it.”

The pandemic dramatically affected residential camping programs and facilities. Through the past 16 months we encouraged and trained camp leaders to focus on running various types of temporary communities for spiritual objectives, because camp in essence is a temporary community. So, 30% of camps operated with restrictions, and the rest ran day camps in city parks, canoeing trips, mountain hikes, city excursions, overnights in individual tents, etc. This summer, the COVID being lower in Ukraine, we are having a full-fledged summer camp season.

We are thankful we can partner with the GCF and FGC in this ministry. This partnership makes it possible for us to focus on serving Christian camps and camp leaders, as well as working with our supporters. It is so reassuring to have the GCF and FGC ensure our bookkeeping and accounting are looked after in a professional way, our donors get their official receipts, and we don’t have to worry about the regulatory requirements in North America.

Help us raise 100,000 USD to help support the salary and operation needs of our nine staff members serving six countries throughout the year; these expert staff are key in training and counselling camp leaders.


Prayer Request

1. That camps would be able to operate fully despite the many and ever changing government regulations and requirements in the countries we work in.

2. That the gospel would be shared boldly and effectively through the many camps involved in the Association of Christian Camps and Conference Centers (a.k.a. Christian Camping International Ukraine).

3. That the needed resources (funds and people) would be supplied to enable the effective ministry of CCI Ukraine.

4. Special spiritual protection for camps in countries and regions where it is very difficult to operate due to governments not friendly to Christian efforts outside a church building.


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ABOUT GCF

Since 2002, the Great Commission Foundation has been providing a place for individuals, ministries and organizations to thrive in ministry. Our vision is to work together to help the impoverished, further education, and help fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

We are passionate about simplifying Ministry & Mission. Our team of skilled administrative and accounting personnel are dedicated to simplifying ministry, enabling you to focus on God’s calling. We are passionate about using our abilities to bring admin relief to our agents and projects and release them to spend more time on ministry work. Through collaboration, we provide compliance, clarity, and relief to ministry. 

We welcome any Christian ministry or project to contact us to discuss how we can collaborate. We believe we are stronger together.



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