Three Years of War, but God is Still at Work in Ukraine
Monday 24 February 2025 11:42 Three years of war, yet God’s work in Ukraine continues! In Gostomel, a church is using sports to reach kids, families, and athletes. Read how volleyball and frisbee are bringing the Hope of Jesus to Ukraine.
When we turn on the news, it can be hard to find a positive story-especially when it comes to the war in Ukraine. But if you were to read the many ministry reports from 2024, you would find much good news! And in Gostomel, there are even stories to add to the sports page. We shouldn’t underestimate the impact of exercise and friendly competition.
A volleyball team for kids aged 12-15 is blessed with a Christian coach. Members of the church often meet up with the team to play for fun and share some Bible stories. After getting to know the young teens, they invite them to church and other events. Praise God that several have given their lives to Christ and have also begun attending services on Sunday!
The church also held a summer camp for more than 140 children and teens! The camp included workshops, bible stories and prayer, but had a sports theme. Each day, they would practice a different sport: volleyball, football, baseball and ultimate frisbee. Not only was this fun for the kids, but the parents were also invited to watch, enjoy refreshments and attend two seminars. At the end of the camp, everyone was invited to church on Sunday.
One boy was particularly enthusiastic about the camp, and attended Sunday morning church for the first time. After a time of reflection for the week, he suggested they all stand up and pray. So he prayed aloud, sincerely and humbly–just as we all should, like children of God.
But sports aren’t just fun for kids–the church has its own adult ultimate frisbee team. They even participated in their first international tournament in Latvia! Because of their success, the team started a kids’ team at the local school, and they hosted an ultimate frisbee Ukrainian Cup with 17 teams!
Athletics is just one area of many where God is at work in this community, though. The church in Gostomel is reaching out to their community, starting friendships and making disciples in many different ways.
Stories from Europe > 2025
December
- 12/23/2025 12/23/25, 11:15 AM - Merry Christmas from ECM!
- 12/16/2025 12/16/25, 11:03 AM - Standing with Bitaj
- 12/9/2025 12/9/25, 10:23 AM - Join the Team
- 12/1/2025 12/1/25, 5:13 PM - A Continent in Need of Hope
November
- 11/19/2025 11/19/25, 2:22 PM - Love looks like Jesus
- 11/12/2025 11/12/25, 2:06 PM - Walking with God, Walking with Others
- 11/5/2025 11/5/25, 11:35 AM - Joining Forces
October
- 10/29/2025 10/29/25, 11:05 AM - What Is In Your Hands?
- 10/22/2025 10/22/25, 11:58 AM - Faith Takes Root
- 10/15/2025 10/15/25, 11:49 AM - Don’t Overestimate What You Can Do in a Year
- 10/8/2025 10/8/25, 5:34 PM - “Someone Has to Slay the Dragon!”
- 10/1/2025 10/1/25, 5:18 PM - Unhindered
September
August
- 8/28/2025 8/28/25, 9:57 AM - A New Church in the Heart of Budapest
- 8/26/2025 8/26/25, 11:25 AM - Sharing love in so many ways! (part 2 of 2)
- 8/19/2025 8/19/25, 11:13 AM - Sharing love in so many ways! (part 1 of 2)
- 8/12/2025 8/12/25, 10:30 AM - God's own words of love
- 8/6/2025 8/6/25, 8:56 AM - Another new worker for Portugal!
July
- 7/30/2025 7/30/25, 3:26 PM - One Answered Prayer at a Time
- 7/23/2025 7/23/25, 3:38 PM - "They may be broken, but God sees the potential”
- 7/16/2025 7/16/25, 4:04 PM - Prague: From the Giant Peach to the Hobbit House.
- 7/9/2025 7/9/25, 1:42 PM - Equipping God’s People: A Journey We’re Honoured to Share
- 7/2/2025 7/2/25, 1:35 PM - Sharing Jesus—and Growing Leaders—at Austria’s Summer Camps
June
- 6/25/2025 6/25/25, 1:27 PM - Reaching Romania’s Children with the Gospel of Grace
- 6/18/2025 6/18/25, 1:13 PM - God’s Word on Campus: Training Bible Study Leaders in Portugal
- 6/11/2025 6/11/25, 1:00 PM - Equipping for Abundant Life
- 6/3/2025 6/3/25, 11:41 AM - Groninger Cake in the Court Garden
May
- 5/27/2025 5/27/25, 3:29 PM - From DOS to the App Store: The Story of La Parola
- 5/16/2025 5/16/25, 12:08 PM - Hope in the Post-Atheist Neighbourhood
April
- 4/9/2025 4/9/25, 11:30 AM - Growing a Church that will Last for Generations
- 4/2/2025 4/2/25, 11:43 AM - Jesus is the Way on the Camino: Pilgrims finding God
March
- 3/26/2025 3/26/25, 11:08 AM - Reaching Hearts Behind Bars
- 3/19/2025 3/19/25, 11:55 AM - How God Called Us to Stay at Home
- 3/12/2025 3/12/25, 11:39 AM - How Much my Supporters Mean to Me
- 3/5/2025 3/5/25, 11:33 AM - An experience I couldn’t recommend more!
February
- 2/24/2025 2/24/25, 11:42 AM - Three Years of War, but God is Still at Work in Ukraine
- 2/19/2025 2/19/25, 11:10 AM - From a Bar to the Bible
- 2/12/2025 2/12/25, 12:19 PM - From War Volunteer Centre to Thriving Church
- 2/5/2025 2/5/25, 11:28 AM - How was I called to Europe?
January
- 1/31/2025 1/31/25, 11:49 AM - From Service to Salvation: Sasha’s Journey in Borodianka, Ukraine
- 1/29/2025 1/29/25, 11:05 AM - Breaking Barriers: A Christ-Centered Journey with the Roma Community in Greece
- 1/22/2025 1/22/25, 1:12 PM - How to plant a Church in secular France?
- 1/17/2025 1/17/25, 11:09 AM - A Place of Hope in Christ: Serving Refugees for 25 Years
READ our stories about what is going on across Europe,
PRAY for the projects and the workers involved!
Searching for Hope
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February - 25 - 2026 11:48 In the fast-paced rhythm of Budapest, a new church is taking root. Through patient relationship-building and creative outreach, Tamás and Virág are seeing lives changed and a vibrant community begin to grow. full storyEncouraging Growth in Portugal
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January - 28 - 2026 17:24 At ECM, our work is more than programmes and projects—it’s about people, and ultimately, it’s about God, at work in and through us. Every time a believer is equipped, a community is connected, or a disciple is multiplied, it is His Spirit moving, using us as instruments for His glory. full storyA New Beginning in Frankfurt
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January - 07 - 2026 10:54 “The church is God’s plan for the salvation of the world. There’s no Plan B… God is putting all his eggs in the church basket.” (Stephen Foster) Thank you for being part of God’s great Plan A! full storyHappy New Year from ECM!
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