What is Gospel? What is not Gospel? How to accept it and how can a sinful man believe in Him? For whom is the Gospel? How can a christian downplays the meaning of the Cross for himself? How to carry the Gospel to the world? These and many other questions were raised in spiritually edifying camp “Gospel in your life.”
Initially, this camp was meant for people from United Bible Missionary Churches of Ukraine. But God led us His way. In terms of the military situation in Ukraine there were people from the East of Ukraine in the camp. Besides, God blessed us with the arrival of our brothers and sisters from other regions of Ukraine (Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv).
We had the opportunity to listen to different preachers, who lighted the practical side of the action of Gospel in our lives. During the morning sermons there were presented texts and diagrams that showed how we can live out the Gospel in our daily lives. After the sermon there was the discussion in groups, where we could understand more the topic of the day. On groups people could be open, they could hear how others understood the truth said on the sermon.
Warm and friendly relations between people were really pleasant about the camp. There was plenty of time for communicating and helping each other. Our friends from Lugansk and Donetsk regions were very pleased with warmth and attention that was given to them. We prayed a lot about them and their families.
Personal conversations about the Gospel and living faith prompted some to think seriously about their relationships with God. After the ending of the camp, one unbelieving woman from Druzhkivka (Donetsk region), appealed to Lord in prayer of repentance during the conversation with her faithful relative. “…I need to change something in my life … I can not go on like this,” she said, and they began to pray together. We are grateful to our Lord for His wonderful job with the hearts of people!
Our children listened to the Word of God in the general meetings, attended Bible lessons outside and did needlework.
Young brothers Ivan and Eugene organized sports program in such a way that almost everyone in the camp were involved in games and leisure activities. Sport, as nothing else, gave the opportunity to practice the biblical truths of humility and respect, that was mentioned in the sermon.
Evening services had more family format. They summed up the day, there were sounding testimonies, pastor Taras answered practical questions of Christian life in the light of the Gospel. Also, each group prepared presentations on the topic of the day.
In the evening there was also a time for young people around the campfire, where teachers raised profound questions of personal faith in Christ and following Him.
In family groups, there was a time for communication with a cup of tea and a cinema room with Christian films. According to the participants, God has reached the hearts of the people and has spoken to them through effective Word. Everyone is truly grateful for the warmth and dedication of the team, and for the opportunity to speak openly and deeply about “difficult” questions of life.
One of the key points of the camp was a common worship, which the whole Church “Community of the Good Shepherd” could take part in.
After the end of camp, we continue providing all possible social, financial and spiritual help to our brothers and friends from the eastern Ukraine. Glory to our God for the blessed time, and His strong hand in the life of the camp!
We are grateful to the IPO “Hope to people” and all those who supported us in prayer and organization in this blessed time.
May God bless you abundantly!
Nikolai Nikitin
