Mission Eurasia sees 780 young leaders graduate from School Without Walls program
5.26.2020

Ministry Partners,

2 Timothy 2:2: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

We have more exciting news we want to share with you. Today, through the help of online video conferencing, 780 young leaders in 13 countries and 105 locations in the former Soviet Union (known as Eurasia) and Israel graduated from our School Without Walls (SWW) program!

While it was not a “typical graduation ceremony” – with somewhere between 500 to 600 graduates logging online – the hard work and commitment of these men and women is worthy of recognition and celebration. For the past 15 years of this program, 15,000 students have completed the program to minister outside the walls of the church and serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Our Next Generation leaders have been trained, mentored, discipled, and equipped with practical tools and skills that allow them to join the workforce, help bridge the gap between church and their community, plant churches, and spark revival, and practical outreach – distributing food, medicine, and ministry resources. They are full of energy, and they are bright, talented, and gifted in leadership as they serve on the front lines of ministry.

Many in their family were once persecuted for their faith under communist control, and they enter ministry in an uncertain time. The needs and economic challenges are enormous – and your prayers and gracious support help make their ministry efforts possible!

Today, churches in Eurasia are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The impact of this COVID-19 is everywhere! People have lost paychecks, jobs, hope, and many opportunities. But the gospel will never been locked down!

During our online team meeting this week, we heard promising stories of these young leaders working alongside churches to serve their communities.

Bogdan, a SWW graduate from last year, noted that meeting physical needs isn’t enough. “That’s not going to save them,” he said after serving in a village in Ukraine.

“In reality,” he said, “you understand that their life can only be saved by Jesus who really loves them … It’s so amazing, so cool that a new generation of leaders are actually going and telling about God’s love in this world and in those places where they really need to hear.”

Thanks to the prayers and financial support of friends like you, 250 SWW teams are at work now using their training and ministry experience to plan the 2,500 small group camps this summer. And for those countries where even small gatherings cannot happen, we’ll offer a similar day camp experience via live streaming, mailing their Hope for Kids Kits ahead of the event.

Stay tuned for more news about this and other exciting outreach opportunities!

Prayerfully in Him,
Sergey Rakhuba
President
Mission Eurasia
Train to Lead. Equip to Serve