Ukranian Children's Ministry

News regarding the inner conflict in the country of Ukraine is big news today. American news services are not always faithful to report on important happenings internationally, so when one of these international events hits the airwaves, it’s usually something pretty big. The conflict in Ukraine is complex and we pray for our brothers and sisters there as the people of Ukraine move through this time of upheaval.

Every Generation Ministries – Ukraine (“Slujinna Pokolinnjam” in the local language) is NOT involved in the protest against the government, but the EGM team IS quite active protesting against ineffective and unbiblical children’s ministry principles which have been the norm for so many years in the churches of their country. This is also a complex conflict! But God has shown us His passion to see every child reached effectively can be expressed through the EGM team in Ukraine.

To affect the change they want to make in this enormous country, EGM workers have divided Ukraine into regions and there are regional leaders in many of these areas who provide training and individualized coaching for children’s workers in churches across the denominational landscape. Ukrainian children’s ministry is changing as teachers connect with the biblical model found in Deuteronomy 6. It’s a transformational ministry model based in relationship and marked by experiential learning, creative presentations of biblical truth, meaningful conversations connecting the Bible to real life and activities which result in lasting life response.

Following is an excerpt from one regional leader’s report:

"At the seminar we held at the Lvov Theological seminary, the students learned the methodology of doing lessons for the kids. They had an opportunity to practice every element of the Bible model. Students received the theoretical knowledge and also did some practical exercises. They learned to build their own lessons using the elements of the Model of the Children’s worker [found in Deuteronomy 6]. They practiced consecutive and logical teaching of the Bible truths; they learned to make discussion questions and activities for the practical usage of the Bible truths. In addition, they had a chance to see the lessons for the kids of different age groups, based on the model.

I thank God for His blessings and guidance in this program. The Lord inspired people and gave them the desire to gain professional knowledge to be effective children’s workers, leading kids to Christ! Praise the Lord!"

- Kachan Nataliya, North Region Coordinator

Mikhail Lozovoi

“I could not stand the lessons in our Sunday School when I was a child”, shares Mikhail Lozovoi, “that is why after I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord, I became a children's worker. My goal is that kids in my class or club will find life in Jesus".

Even before we met with Mikhail in 2007, he was searching for biblical ways of teaching the truth to the future generations. Mikhail was invited to join the Board of Directors of EGM-Ukraine and later considered as one of candidates for the position of EGM-UA Director.

His enthusiasm of sharing the Biblical Model, evident love to children, deep knowledge of the Truth, readiness to pioneer the work of EGM in the country convinced the Board that he is the person for the job. Since 2008 EGM-UA grew to the team of 10 dedicated workers (6 of them represent EGM in different parts of Ukraine) and twice as many volunteers. The office in the city of Dnipropetrovsk process dozens of phone-calls, e-mails and walk-in visits daily, providing children workers with necessary resources.

The most requested by churches training seminar “Model teaching through creativity” is developed by Tatiana, who readily travels with Mikhail to teach it to children workers countrywide. While continuing to direct the work of Sunday school in Central Baptist church, Mikhail is now appointed to organize and supervise Christian camps for children in the Dnipropetrovsk area. This widens EGM's involvement in the preparation of camp workers so that they will relate to children and teach them according to the Model.

Recent seminars on Titus project for EGM staff and Board of Directors placed new a task before EGM-Ukraine – develop and implement strategy for in-country giving. Mikhail as the Director accepted the challenge and excels in inspiring the team and the Board to bring EGM-Ukraine on the next level of becoming truly national ministry. What inspires Mikhail in the process is that God wants to transform lives of millions of kids in Ukraine through His church in this country.

Igor Fridrikh

Eastern Europe Regional Director

Visiting the children with physical challenges

The orphanage for the children is located on Chicherina Street, which is in downtown Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. Our team of children’s workers were invited to this orphanage by Stephen Bokach, the regional superintendent of Baptist churches. When we went to the orphanage we brought presents and aid from their Switzerland friends. This time the principal of the orphanage allowed us to hold a special program for the children. We used a puppet show to tell the kids two stories - one from the Bible and another about real life. After this, our team distributed the presents. The children opened up for the conversations and fellowship so much that (by the permission of their pedagogues) we were allowed to spend an extra hour with them. Some children invited us to their rooms, where we learned that there are other children at the orphanage that cannot leave their beds and we gladly visited them on every story of the 3-story building, we gave them presents. Also, for the adults, we had a different type of gift - large format calendars with Bible verses printed on them. 

We spent several hours in the orphanage and the people who were impacted the most ended up being the older children from our Sunday school who were with us. After this trip they sincerely thanked God that they have a mother and a father, that they have a healthy body, and they know God who cares about them. 

Mikhail Lozovoi, 

Director for EGM-UA, 

Director of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine FBC Sunday school

Working Hard

In Ukraine we have an amazing new director - Michael Lovzovoi. It is a blessing to see how Michael and his family are working hard for EGM. This is Michael’s daughter, Anya helping in the office that we’re praising the Lord for providing. Remember to pray for Michael, his wife, Tanya and Anya as Michael leads our newest work in Ukraine. We are asking God for great results as Michael and the newly formed team in Ukraine begin to train children's workers to help transform children's lives