In Ukraine on February 16…I saw with my own eyes—something NEW! And God’s own words took on new meaning for me. –Randy Riggins For I am about to do something NEW . See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?   I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19 (emphasis added)

A New Day for Ukraine God used Reach Out on February 16 to reunite Ukrainian youth leaders from the entire country for one common purpose…reaching and discipling the younger generation of Ukraine with the Gospel. The last national gathering happened over a decade ago.

A Crippling Struggle For the last four years, Ukraine has experienced the crippling effects of war and the struggles that go with it.. The depression that resulted impacted more than just the political and socio-economic systems of that country. People felt personal despair, and the church fell into a lethargic paralysis that crept into every aspect of the church...including youth ministry.

A National Reset  Our team hoped 50 would attend, but 137 came! Seven denominations--Baptists, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Catholics, Messianic, Charismatic, and Methodists. They came, glad to be together and eager to renew their local ministries and their national vision. They have a strong desire to see their students creatively caring for and praying for their friends, sharing Jesus with them, and then intentionally discipling them—in their communities, schools and churches. At every break the youth leaders purchased Reach Out’s resources, and they requested future training and coaching for their churches. Their enthusiasm spread contagiously about the NEW life God has infused into them for the youth of their nation!

A Step Into Reach Out’s Future  Christina Oleksyuk, Reach Out’s NEW national ministry leader, stepped into her new role with passion, vision, strategy, and ten years of experience with Reach Out. She gave excellent leadership to the team that planned, promoted and led the conference, and to our Eagle Leaders' Gathering. Christina’s leadership confirmed that we have the right leader and the right direction-- following God on His NEW pathway.

Randy with our Leaders

Prior to the conference, I met with our Ukraine leadership team. Christina led our meeting. Doug Landro, our 20-year veteran leader who will now mentor Christina, gave a historical perspective. Doug made Reach Out the most effective youth ministry in Ukraine. Igor Minenko led Reach Out during the war years along with our Eagle Leaders, who have stayed faithful to pursuing Reach Out’s vision for Ukraine.

We spent our time honing our NEW plan for strategically taking Jesus-Focused Youth Ministry training into NEW churches in NEW cities across the country. They inspired in me a strong sense of confidence in a positive future for youth ministry in Ukraine.

Hand-sketched Strategy Map

When Isaiah wrote about the NEW work God was beginning, the Israelites already had a 900-year history with Him. And although Reach Out’s history in Ukraine is only 20 years, we see NEW pathways in the desert and rivers in a dry wasteland in the youth leaders in this war-torn country. Your prayers and gifts provide the resources Reach Out needs to support this NEW pathway in Ukraine. Thank you.

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