Teachers Camp-Seminar “Foundations of Faith”

The education department IPO Hope to people, the ministers of the Second Presbyterian Church of Memphis, and a team of Christian volunteers conducted a Christian camp-seminar for teachers of Ukraine on the topic “Foundations of Faith.” It was held in Polyana, Transcarpathian region from July 21 – July 27, 2018.

There were 48 people from 11 regions of Ukraine: Sumy, Odessa, Kherson, Donetsk, Poltava, Vinnitsa, Cherkasy, Kiev, Zhitomir, Chernivtsy and Rivne. Among the participants, there were deputy heads of the education department, directors of educational institutions, methodologists of education departments, teachers and winners of the All-Ukrainian competition “Teacher of the Year,” which was held in the National University “Ostroh Academy.”

Praise God for His grace and blessings! Two days before the camp, the driver notified us that his vehicle was sold out. Knowing this situation, we just prayed and trusted God. Thanks God that it did not take long for Him to provide us with transportation.

Every day of the camp was beginning and ending with prayer. In the morning, we worshiped God through Psalms, and then in the evening, we listened to a sermon and the testimonies of Christian teachers. We also had crafts, discussions in groups and, of course, free time to stroll around in the picturesque surroundings. We had a great opportunity to exchange the work experience, presentations of district, city and regional methodological associations. Everything in the camp was aimed at helping teachers to better understand the meaning of Christianity by themselves, and then be able to pass it on to their students in educational institutions.

The team of the Education Department IPO Hope to People along with the Second Presbyterian Church from Memphis have been organizing and conducting such camps for more than 15 years. We thank God for His faithfulness and ask mercy and grace for those who prayed and remembered our needs. Over 3,000 people had the opportunity to hear the Gospel in all these camps. Among those participants and listeners were: the heads of the Ukrainian education departments, directors, teachers and other workers at schools and other educational institutions.

Here are some fragments from the teachers’ reviews:

• I thank God for His mercy, goodness and blessings, which never cease to amaze me. What a delight to be in such a blessed place and soak up the Word of God like a sponge. God has tilted the heavens and descended to Polyana, where He renewed rebooted me. Even the thermal pools pleased me less than the Bible lessons. Thanks to everyone who made our camp-seminar happen. Even if it was the only thing you have done in your life, your life is not wasted.

                                                                                                                                           Yana P, Donetsk region

• I am grateful to all the organizers for such wonderful spiritual nourishment. I had an opportunity to share my work experience and to hear the feedback from my Ukrainian colleagues. Despite all the difficulties in Ukraine, God weaves His story. May the Lord save us all and give us the desire to serve God in His vineyard, upbringing the younger generation. The seminar was very important to me!

Lisa, Sumy

• It was not the first time that I studied the seminar “Foundation of Faith,” but each time it opens up new horizons for me. I listened to the testimonies of teachers and thought how much more need to be done. At this moment, I was thinking about my husband, son, and daughter-in-law, who do not know God. Thank you very much for the comfortable bus. Thanks a lot for your mercy and all blessings! In all this, I see the care of the Great God.

Tamara S., Rivne

• This camp-seminar is a real treasure. New people, a seminar, testimonies, an interesting program.., but the most important thing is that the Lord is actively present in everything. It’s my first time in the Carpathians, and I didn’t even think about the hot springs, which was a great surprise to me. I want to give a special thanks to the team and sponsors of the program. May the Lord bless everyone abundantly!

Lyudmila B. Ternopil

• Thank you for the opportunity to meet new people and for pleasant fellowship. Because of the recent activities, I had to deepen my knowledge of the Christian worldview. The sermons of the pastor were of great value to me, since he was bringing up many important and difficult for understanding questions. The seminar “Foundations of Faith” was helpful. I liked the way every participant of the camp was given a proper attention. Everyone had the opportunity to take part in the events. It is a great pleasure to know that there are people who live for God. I am thankful to the organizers and the team!

Inna A. Cherkasy, Methodist of the Education Department