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Summer Team Overview
By Yelena Surguy

Impact — a word that defined summer ministries, as 59 U.S. team members carried the gospel on six short-term summer teams to Russia, Moldova, Czech Republic and Hungary. As a result, more than 160 people accepted Christ as their personal Savior and countless others had the seed of the gospel planted in their hearts.

“It is clear that many seeds are being sown … as so many were eager to hear and discuss the gospel,” said Amy Sumpter, Saransk and Prague Family Camp’s team member.

During English camps in Russia and Czech Republic, nationals experienced a “Face 2 Face” encounter with Jesus, as they learned about his endless love and selfless gift of salvation.

Teams additionally left a positive impression through soccer tournaments, medical clinics, children’s ministry, prison ministries and other special projects. The teams’ selfless love toward others and dedication to God’s work was a living testimony to countless listeners.
“God uses me to be a seed planter,” said Linda Benso, Saransk and Prague Family Camp’s team member.

Twenty-three Americans participated in the first ever Saransk Family Camp, at which two young men repented.

Oleg, a 30 year old, attempted suicide two days before camp but God intervened.

“Oleg tearfully opened up his heart to Jesus Christ at camp and became a Child of God that day,” said Jim Liljegren, Saransk Family Camp team leader.

The second person who came to Christ was Genia, a 19-year-old interpreter.

The Saransk Youth Camp had 24 English-speaking, Russian, unchurched students come, including 12 nationals from local Baptist Churches. Even though no new decisions were made, many for the first time, seriously examined their faith.

“In four years of coming here to Saransk, there has never been so many people questioning their own beliefs,” said Susanne Surmi, Saransk Youth Camp team member.

At a ‘retreat center’ north of St. Petersburg on the Bay of Finland, 14 Americans joined 35 Russian students for camp.

Five campers came to Christ and two rededicated their lives to the Lord — Sergey, Vanya, Alosha, and Sasha, from the orphanage, and Andrey and Masha.

“The most memorable event of the week was the power of God moving in the hearts of the students,” said Steve Wright, St. Petersburg Youth Camp team member.

Last year Kostya, a 14-year-old Russian, accepted Christ and has developed into a youth leader of the church. This summer, he brought four of his friends, and all four became believers.

“There is nothing more exciting than to witness people truly coming to the Lord,” Jim Liljegren said.

In Czech Republic, 11 Americans joined 90 Russians in a Family Camp. Two-thirds of the Russians at the camp were either unchurched or Muslim.

A team of six ministered just outside of Vulcanesti, Moldova. They engaged in medical programs, evangelism, and evening outreach programs.

In Moldova, a youth team led VBS and preached the gospel at a Communist village with the mayor’s permission, and held a city-wide soccer tournament. The team then traveled on to Hungary where it distributed more than three thousand tracts and ministered in five prisons. As a result, more than 150 people accepted Christ.

But the nationals weren’t the only ones impacted. Four team members were baptized for the first time in the Danube River, in Hungary.

“We serve a big God with big plans for His people from all countries and cultures. What a privilege it is to witness God working,” Steve Wright said.

These teams plowed new ground and planted seeds in the hearts of many.

“I look back at the humble beginnings of our work here in Saransk and find it quite miraculous that what we have here today is the result of a partnership between churches, a world apart, working together,” said Saransk Family Camp team member Dave Hueners.

Please pray for God to work in hearts that heard the Gospel this summer.