I Will Build My Church

The days have been full.

In this part of the world, the sun is up at 4:30 A.M. It is not dark until 10:00 P.M. In between, our team works hard. Results are already in evidence. God is the doer. We are the tools in His hands. It is hard to express the joy of seeing people pulling together across nationalities, cultures, and languages in pursuit of our shared goal of making disciples of Jesus who make more disciples.

Following breakfast together, Bible story training begins at 9:00 A.M. It lasts four hours. So far this week we have learned the first two accounts in our Stories of God series. Breaking each story into bite-sized pieces, the team we have assembled is now able to teach them to others. We have all learned the most important characters and events of the Old Testament and the life of Messiah Jesus. With one voice, the keywords ring out in unison. Sotvorenie (Creation), Grehopadenie (Fall), Potop (Flood), Narody (Nations). The accompanying hand-signs are now executed crisply and confidently.

What we are learning together in the morning has immediate application after lunch. At 3 P.M., about 40 children arrive at Ukraine Christian Sport Academy to participate in a week-long camp. Engagement activities led by the coaches lead to opportunities to teach Bible stories to the campers (ages 5 – 14).

It has been amazing to see the excitement from the coaches as their players listen attentively and participate with questions and comments.

U.C.S.A. currently serves about 100 children on their soccer teams. They have a small field for children’s games. It is covered with a tent for inclement weather. But the area is too small for older children or adult usage. A new field is under construction so they can accommodate up to 300 more players, both youth and adults.

The total cost of this field is $100,000. When it is completed, three times the number of children currently involved Will be able to be served. I am asking you personally to consider partnering with Ukraine Christian Sport Academy to complete the construction of this new field.

Every dollar Disciple Daily received that is designated for this project will be sent to U.C.S.A. No part of your donation will be retained by Disciple Daily.

What is happening at Ukraine Christian Sport Academy is a miracle. In this country at a crossroads, where the possibility of Russia invading from the east is real, God is claiming territory for Himself just outside of Kyiv.

Last night, Noemi and I sat with Andrii Petrenko and some new friends under a grape arbor. Sergei had grilled some sausages. Alina made a salad from the lettuce, peppers, onions, and tomatoes grown in her garden. A fresh baked berry pie with ice cream appeared. The berries were picked from their own bushes.

After supper, conversation turned to their dreams for U.C.S.A.. Seeing how powerful sports can be in the lives of young people, Sergei and Alina had prayed. They asked God for a piece of property and the resources to build a place where playing sports would open doors to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to children and their parents. God said, “Yes!” They also asked Him for a ministry partner, someone to lead their academy. Once again, the answer was “Yes!” Andrii is  now part of their family and they are becoming an incredible team that only God could assemble.

Andrii is the new director of the U.C.S.A’s training center and sports programs. He leads a team of Christian soccer coaches who are building into the lives of over 100 young soccer players and their families.

The week lies ahead of us. We will all train together and discover what Jesus may do among us as He continues to build His Church in Ukraine. Will you pray with us that God will manifest Himself through our lives and that people will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ this week?

Come back to this page over the week to hear more about what the Lord is doing to build His Church at U.C.S.A.