News & Stories

Youth Camp in Russia: Discipling the 11

August 20, 2009

By Sarah Rowley, serving in Russia

Missions experts claim 84 percent of those who accept Christ do so between the ages of four and 14, making this group one of the world’s most strategic mission fields. Sarah understands God’s love for children and the urgency of reaching them with the gospel, as evidenced in this adaptation of her recent prayer letter.

As God promises in Jeremiah 29:11-12, He has a plan and it is for our good.

While preparing for youth camp in June, I was told the children from the orphanage in Nizhniy Novgorod would not be allowed to attend. Discouraged, but still trusting, our team stepped out in faith and held camp for only 11 kids.

No Joke!

Camp with just 11 children might sound a bit like a joke. In retrospect, it was great for our church. We have never held a camp before, and most of our workers had never been to a Christian camp. It became a year of learning for the adults as much as for the children.

As I have already stated, we were blessed with 11 children, six of whom attend church regularly, two who have attended a few times, and three who had never been to church and had never even heard of the Name of Jesus. These youth spent a week learning about and experiencing God’s love for them.

Campers’ Needs

Brahim,* 12, is out of control at home. He is already smoking and drinking. Although I was concerned when he was put in my group, I quickly found a great kid who just needs love and attention. 

Galena* and Lena,* also 12, arrived at camp not knowing anything about God. They come from alcoholic homes, and you could see them relaxing more each day, realizing nothing bad was going to happen.

On the day we talked about sin and its consequences, I took them aside to see if they understood. When I realized they didn’t, I sat down and talked with them about sin and forgiveness. It was the first time I had really shared so deeply in Russian-I was sharing the gospel with two girls who had a foundation of zero.

The final day of camp, two girls, Natasha and Inneta, prayed to receive Christ! They both attend our church regularly and come from great Christian homes, but that does not lessen my joy. I believe too often we take the salvation of children in our churches for granted. 

Children’s Ministry Plans

School begins September 1. So, the first Saturday in September we have scheduled a camp reunion-a party. We really want to encourage Akmal, Katya, and Anya to join us. They are each 12 years old, and last year that was the cut-off for our Kidz Club. We are making changes so they can join us; they want to, but their parents need to give approval.

We haven’t seen the children from the orphanage for two months. The last half of July and all of August they were at a state camp for orphans. This does not mean our ministry to them has ended. We just received a phone call from the orphanage director asking for help.

In years past, the Russian government provided orphans with basic school supplies. Due to the financial crisis this year, they are unable to help at all. So Anya and I get to go on a huge shopping spree for the kids tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll have fun.

God is at work in Nizhniy Novgorod, and you are a part of it. Thank you for your prayers and your support of the Great Commission Fund. Without you I could not be here.

* Names have been changed.

What You Can Do

Praise God! “Kids camp was great,” says Sarah, “and Natasha and Inneta prayed to receive Christ.” Pray that the three youth at summer camp who just learned about Christ will be allowed to attend Kidz Club this fall to learn more about Him.

Learn more

Read “A Crack in the Door,” an article in the March 2009 issue of alife about another successful summer youth camp in Russia.  

Familiarize yourself with important Alliance youth ministry resources.

Check out our Russia team’s Web page.

View several videos about The Alliance in Russia.