Mission Eurasia is providing trauma care and Christian teaching to tens of thousands of children impacted by war through its “Summer of Hope” Bible camps. The ministry expects to serve 30,000 children across 14 countries this summer, with 80% of participants coming from Ukraine, where lives have been upended by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“These camps are often the first time in months or years that children can feel safe, play freely and hear a message of hope,” Mission Eurasia President Sergey Rakhuba told Christian Daily International. “They are places where trauma counseling and spiritual care go hand in hand.”
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Held in partnership with local churches, most camps in Ukraine operate in central and western regions considered less dangerous, though safety can never be guaranteed. Rakhuba recalled a recent incident in Zaporizhzhia when children at camp took shelter during a drone attack, then resumed activities afterward. “They look for reassurance that they will not be left alone and that their families will not be left alone,” he said. “They’re extremely grateful and receptive to care, and they want to be near people who will hug them and keep them safe.”
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The camps combine games, crafts, and Bible lessons with counseling sessions tailored to children who have faced displacement, violence, or loss. Leaders trained through Mission Eurasia’s Schools Without Walls program serve in their own regions, creating trust through shared experience. “It’s about restoring hope and building connections so children know they are part of a larger, caring community,” Rakhuba said. “Even though the war is not over, they can see they are not alone.”
Follow-up care is an essential part of the program, with local church leaders continuing to support families after the camps end. Many parents and caregivers begin attending church after witnessing the care given to their children.
Rakhuba, a native of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, has witnessed firsthand the devastation of front-line and liberated areas. He asked believers worldwide to keep praying for the ministry, for an end to the war, and for God’s protection over staff and children.
“We want children to experience joy, make friends, and hear that there is hope for their lives,” he said. “And we want them to know that hope has a name, Jesus.”
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Let us pray for all of the children and their families whose lives have been shattered by war, that God would heal their trauma, restore their peace and surround them with His protection. Pray that the Bible camps would continue to be places of safety and joy, where young hearts hear the hope of the gospel and find strength in Jesus. And may the Lord grant wisdom, courage and endurance to the leaders and counselors serving on the front lines of this ministry.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
