For many years, in the second half of the summer at the Bethany Christian Fellowship in the village of Polyana, Mukachevo district, Zakarpattia region, our mission workers have been organizing an all-Ukrainian evangelistic camp for educators. This year, 58 representatives from Kyiv, Cherkasy, Poltava, Sumy, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kherson regions came to the camp, which was called “Called to Be a Leader.”
The name of the camp was associated with the Bible course of the same name, which was studied throughout the camp. By studying the lives and ministries of biblical figures such as Eli and Samuel, Saul and David, the participants learned positive lessons. They considered the mistakes of the heroes of biblical history, applying them to modern leadership.
Key Verse of the Course: “…Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12)
Bible Study Topics:
1. The Call to Leadership and the Servant’s Heart. An examination of the essence of God’s calling and the fundamental biblical principle that a true leader leads by serving others.
2. The Character and Integrity of a Leader. An exploration of the importance of inner qualities, integrity, heart motives, and spiritual discipline.
3. Obedience to God versus human compromise. An analysis of King Saul’s mistakes: how fear of people’s opinions ruined God’s calling.
4. The Repentant Heart: Leadership in Times of Crisis. An examination of King David’s experience of admitting his own mistakes, restoring his relationship with God, and persevering in the face of trials.
5. Influence, Vision, and Team Formation. How a leader forms a common vision, involves and inspires others, and resolves conflicts.
Among the participants of the camp were Lyceum teachers, heads of state institutions, and public and charitable organizations. They all thanked us for the informative seminar, which provides practical guidelines for leaders. The representatives of different regions also had a good opportunity to exchange their pedagogical experience among themselves. We’re excited to hear that everyone has a clear vision of the importance of raising children and youth based on Christian values.
In general, each day had a busy schedule. After the spiritual and educational part, there were trips to the thermal waters of Kosino and Berehove, to the water park “Karpatiya” in Mukachevo, an excursion to the “Palanok Castle,” and a walk through the wonderful arboretums of the sanatorium “Kvitka polonyny.”
Real rest and recovery occur when all components of a person are taken into account – spirit, soul, and body. This is confirmed by the feedback from the camp participants.
Here is what Ms. Olena from Poltava wrote:
“This year’s camp “Called to Be a Leader” was incredible and special. I like the harmonious combination of the spiritual (Bible lessons, prayer, worship), the emotional (wonderful communication with colleagues), and the physical (thermal waters, excursions, etc.). The inductive method of studying the Bible I love the most. Sharing experiences enriches professionally. Nature and the absence of shelling and anxiety were a powerful healing factor. This camp gives new acquaintances, unforgettable emotions, and a reboot. Thank you for the morning workout, for the very delicious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), snacks, coffee, and goodies. Special thanks for the service and sermons of Serhiy Kyrylenko! He presents God’s precious truths in simple, understandable language. Thank you to everyone who participated in the organization and provision of this camp. May God bless you abundantly!!!”
Ms. Natalia from Cherkasy said that this camp was God’s answer to her personal need:
“I am very grateful to God for this incredible trip. I am very grateful to all the organizers. I could not even imagine that there are such wonderful people and such wonderful places. I thank God that we went to water parks, to a sanatorium, and that we ate very delicious meals. And the strange and interesting thing was that about a month before the trip, I had a conversation with my pastor and told him that I was not a leader, but that I had been responsible for two important ministries for a whole year, where I had previously been an assistant. The pastor replied that I didn’t quite understand correctly who the leader was. And when I found out what the theme of the camp was, I laughed quietly inside me. How great God’s love is! How incredible His ways are! I thank God for everything that was happening here.”
Ms. Iryna shared her impressions of the Bible lessons: at each of them she had the feeling that everything that was said about — mistakes, fears, and unbelief — concerned her personally.
And Ms. Marina thanked the organizers for the organization of the camp, which “as always was at a high level — they served us with love, and listened to everyone’s needs. Personally, I had to eat separately, so the organizers provided housing with a kitchen where I could cook for myself. A nice gift for me was a Bible with a beautiful font in a modern translation (I dreamed of one).”
Ms. Tetiana wrote:
“During the camp, I rediscovered the story of the leadership of Saul, Samuel, and David. I am still learning to trust the Lord, like Samuel and David. I want to be a leader after God’s own heart. I rejoice in how clearly and patiently the Word of God about the substitutional death of Jesus Christ was explained to us in preaching. Special thanks to the sponsors of the camp, thanks to whom this journey was possible during such a difficult time. This camp is an encouragement to serve people with God’s love throughout the year. I go home with the certainty that the Lord loves me. I had some uncertainty at work, and here I received the Word from the Lord: “With My help, you can do it!”
“From the bottom of my heart, I express my deep gratitude for this amazing time in the Christian camp. In these difficult times of war, it was vital for each of us to escape from the anxious everyday life, at least for a moment. Thank you for the sense of peace and security that you were able to give us. Trips to thermal waters and interesting excursions became a real breath of fresh air, which helped me to relax from constant air anxieties and restore my strength. You surrounded us with love, kindness, and care, reminding us that the Lord is near.
May God richly bless you and all who participated financially, so that we can be enriched spiritually and rest physically,” concluded Ms. Alice.
