People always wonder "What's in a name?" It could just be a name -- or it could hold within its ancient symbols one's destiny.
Editors Note: We want to hear from Campus and Teen Ministries around the world. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with what's going on in your part of the world. The following article is very inspirational, to God's glory!
People always wonder "What's in a name? A name? It could just be a name, or it could hold within its ancient symbols one's destiny. Simon was inspired to be a rock; Saul became a Paul; Levi became a Matthew. The name doesn't guarantee the fulfillment of God's vision for your life, but it can inspire, and help you recognize the opportunity to be who you were meant to be.
It has been exciting this last year to see some young men and women of God take a break from their pursuit of setting up an ordinary life after college to come and live in Kiev, Ukraine. As it turns out, the name "Ukraine" means "on the Edge" Although it's just a name, it has turned into a vision and a lifestyle for these five brothers and sisters. A new language, a new culture, a new climate, and a new life in the former Soviet Union has pushed these bold disciples to the edge of their faith.
After many years I have learned that it is not blessings that develop our character, but trials. After taking their first steps and jumping off the edge, I have watched their lives be transformed. It reminds me of when I took the jump into the Soviet Union almost 15 years ago. Converted and inspired by the great church in Kansas City, I was blessed with the opportunity to come overseas to serve God! It was scary of course, but after all the seemingly impossible trials, jumping off the edge of a normal, comfortable life ended up landing me in the loving and caring arms of my Creator. When I left everything I thought I needed, I found what really mattered.
Left to Right: John Malutinok, Rebekah Weidner, Petra Avsec, Shawn Wooten, Chris Bekker, and Ryan Brown
PART I Chris Bekker
Let me introduce my friends. First to the USSR was Chris Bekker. Chris is from Johannesburg, South Africa. He has served full time with HOPE worldwide in Kenya and Somalia. A faithful and adventurous brother, he found himself in Moscow. Practically, he came to teach English, but in his heart he was continuing to build his picture of God by living in yet another country with Disciples. Chris then made the move from Moscow to Kiev with our family last year. Chris shares,
???Wow, where do I begin? I have always had a desire to travel, to experience being with different churches around the world. It always moves my heart that every country, every church I go to has people who are willing to lay their lives down for what they believe. I was looking for a new adventure, and got a job offer in Moscow, so after prayer and many people saying 'GO GO,' I went.
Moscow was a SHOCK, but was hugely encouraging. At the first service, I met Shawn and was immediately welcomed into a new family group and have been constantly encouraged since. When the Wootens and Ryan moved to Kiev last year I was asked to think about moving down, too, so I agreed and said that if I find a job there, I will. I was in Kiev for one day and found a new job!
Honestly though, I often feel like I want to do more and give more. It's easy to get comfortable anywhere, but thank God for putting Shawn, Ryan and John in my life. I would not trade the times, memories and challenges of the last year and a bit for anything. If your heart is calling you, set your heart free and listen! I could not imagine not having met the people I have met, seeing the places I have seen, eating the food I have eaten. Sometimes I feel like the most fortunate of people to be living the life I am living.?
Chris' sense of mission and desire to serve the poor inspires me! He has been a real blessing and a great friend!
PART II Ryan Brown
The next courageous soul to arrive "on the edge" was Ryan Brown. Here is an amazing brother, whose life was changed over a piece of cheesecake. On one of our trips through the USA, we were in L.A. in the Orange County Region. Sunday after church the Wooten family shared in the blessing of having lunch with the Tom and Kelly Brown family. Ryan, their son who had recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA, had been visiting orphanages in Mexico and giving his heart to the kids there, and had dreamed of serving God further in this way. Ryan asked how he could help the orphans in the former Soviet Union. I suggested he move. That would be the best way to help the kids. I think he had expected that I would suggest something simpler, and there was a pause in eating the cheesecake as the idea of Ryan moving to Russia sank in with everyone. Something moved in Ryan's heart. As he asked more questions, the more real it seemed!
Tom and Kelly have done so much to serve the kingdom in advancing Campus ministry, and one of Tom's visions is for Campus students to take a year off and go somewhere to serve, before their lives settle down. It was great to see the dream come true in his own family! I am grateful for the faith and encouragement Tom and Kelly have planted in Ryan's heart to chase his dreams, no matter what the obstacles! I think we were all really inspired to see Ryan's faith take off! His heart for the Orphans and desire to serve launched him into getting ready to move. He had to buy his first winter coat and a few other things to prepare him for the transition from sunny California to the -30 degree winters of Russia, so he sold his car and many of his possessions and followed his vision.
Ryan is a gifted writer as well, and has been able to serve the church and HOPE worldwide in many ways. Ryan shares about his decision to move:
I was living in Los Angeles, CA and traveling across the border into Mexico every month to visit several poor orphanages there with a group of caring disciples, when I realized that I didn???t just want to live an ordinary life. I wanted to live my life to help others. At that time I was fortunate enough to meet Shawn Wooten, who had been leading HOPE work in Russia for many years. He invited me to come to Russia, and now I am living in Kiev, Ukraine helping with HOPE programs there.
I love kids, I think, because I am still one myself, and I love to see them come out of their shells and find their true potential. I like to lend a smile and a helping hand to those less fortunate, and to remind them that they are no less valuable than anyone else. I believe it is God???s will for all of us to help those less fortunate, and even if God decided not to give us rewards in Heaven for our good deeds done on Earth, helping other people is its own reward. I am never happier than when I am helping others, and all of life's problems seem to slip away when I am involved in other people's lives."
I was so encouraged by Ryan and the way he lets God use him. I remember when he first moved. He also got a job teaching English to help support himself. A lot of the lessons were early in the morning or late at night. It was January, and one of the coldest winters in years. Here is a brother who is used to waking up in sunny Orange County, California, getting in his car, driving to work, enjoying the sun, mountains and ocean. Now he is getting up, walking to work in -28 C. temperatures, so that he can give his heart to a child, who has no mom and dad, no one to hug, no one to tell him he is special. Well now they have that person.
Thanks to the Jesus living in Ryan, he chose not to love what the world has to offer, but love the Orphans, and this has filled his heart with the true religion! I am thankful for the friendship, the encouragement he has been. I am thankful for the piece of cheesecake that changed both of our lives! He has become part of our family, as he has turned my little girl into a kissy monster.
PART III - Petra Avsec
The next to step out on the Edge" was Petra Avsec. A great sister converted in London, she was then sent to her home country on the mission team to plant the church in Ljubljana, Slovenia. God has used her life to impact so many Christians. No matter what church I visit in Europe, someone wants me to give Petra his or her love! Petra has served so many, and now she has found herself in yet another country, continuing to love and reach out to others. Petra Shares about her moving to Kiev:
After being a disciple for 15 years having gone through several "desert" years and many times swallowed by work, including many weekends, I began to ask God in October 2005 to give me again the heart that is first and foremost committed to Him and His Kingdom. I asked Him to give me the heart to be willing to go anywhere, do anything. That was the prayer that changed the direction of my life.. And He answered!
About six weeks later I went to the Budapest conference. Several heart-touching lessons and a short conversation with Shawn Wooten stirred my heart enough to come to Ukraine for three weeks in February 2006. Seeing several programs in orphanages in Kiev and many programs involving orphans and elderly in Moscow, I knew God wanted me to serve people and especially those in need. Like the Bible says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
In April that same year I moved to Kiev, wanting to give but having no idea I would receive so much more back: spiritual encouragement and training, friendships, I love being a part of a big church where there is a healthy balance between those in need and those who can give help, since most of the time we are both ??? needy and still able to give. Living in a foreign country reminds me more about me being a foreigner in this world. As much as sometimes I do not understand what people are saying (language difference) or what they are doing (cultural difference), in the same way I am a foreigner in this world to those who are not God's.. Being in the church of over 2000 disciples with many single brothers and sisters (just as I am) also gave me vision and desire to share about my experience with the disciples from smaller European churches and some in US. I would so much love to see more fellowship between these countries.
Although Petra is learning Russian to be able to communicate, it didn't stop her from reaching out to people in Kiev and giving them a chance to know about Jesus. In June, Petra was at a while studying her Russian. A young girl named Lena was their waitress. Petra started to share with Lena, and Lena came out to church. A month later Lena was baptized and became our sister!
PART IV - Rebekah Weidner
The fourth chapter of this story starts with a bold young lady from the Chicago area. Rebekah shares:
"'He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what He is doing from beginning to end.' -- Ecclesiastes 3:11
I ended my senior year of college in, well, not the best place I've ever been spiritually. I felt the tug of the world and worldly ambitions, and God did not really have first place in my life. If things had gone according to my plans, after graduating from the University I would have immediately started my advertising career and moved to Chicago. The idea of moving to Ukraine had never crossed my mind! But God's plans aren't our plans. As I'm learning, they are so beyond what we can ever ask or imagine.
I spent this past summer living at home and getting back on my feet spiritually. During that time, I heard about the One Year Plan, a challenge for recent high school and college graduates to spend a year serving a church in the U.S. or abroad. As I have always dreamed of joining a mission team abroad, this idea really struck a chord with me. So I began investigating the idea of moving to Kiev. At the same time, I was still trying to pursue my advertising career, but God kept closing doors in that arena and opening them for me to come here. I began taking a Russian course and preparing to teach English as a foreign language, booked a flight, and started corresponding with the disciples here. It couldn't have been clearer that this is where God wanted me to be.
Today, after a week on vacation in Poland with disciples (an adventure in and of itself), and just having finished my second week living in Kiev, all I can say is a resounding GOD IS GOOD! For the first time in my life, I have to completely depend on God every day for my strength and security. And every day I see glimpses of his goodness. Simple things like figuring out how to plug in my computer, navigating the Metro or buying groceries have become my daily victories. Be it ever so slowly (ok, well it's only been two weeks...) I can see my priorities shifting, and new dreams stirring in my heart. I am still trying to figure out how I can really serve this church and use my talents, and what my life here is going to be. But I have no doubt that God is working in my life and in my heart. I am excited to experience what it means to live as a disciple in a foreign country, and pray that many others will be inspired to do the same. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me here!"
We are so blessed to have our first sister from the USA here in Kiev. I am thankful for the joy she has brought, and the desire to trust God.
There is quite a culture shock when moving to a new country, and Bekah has been quick to rely on God, and has given her heart to the sisters here in Kiev. I am thankful for her example, and am excited to see how God will use her here in Kiev. Bekah is also teaching English, and as God would have it, one of her students is in the Ukrainian Parliament, and another student owns the largest shopping mall in the Ukraine. I believe God is going to use Bekah to do something to change this nation for eternity!
PART V John Malutinok
The latest chapter arrived just last week! John shares a little bit about what brought him here:
"My name is John Malutinok. I came to Kyiv about a month after I graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I have only been here a few days, but so far it has been a pretty amazing experience already. The decision to come here was not that difficult. I kept hearing the "one year challenge" from Tom Brown and decided that I wanted to dedicate some of my life to God after I graduated. Much of my family heritage is Russian-Ukrainian and I have always had a dream to come to this part of the world and preach and help people here. I had dinner with Shawn and Lena Wooten over this past summer and as they talked about the culture, people and church in Kyiv, my heart longed to come here.
As the time grew nearer for me to come over, it all started to hit me: I was going to a place where I barely understood the language. I would be paid little for teaching English and would probably have little time or things for myself. I thought to myself, 'Couldn't I serve God a different way? Couldn't I just stay in the U.S. and do something a little "wiser" for beginning my career?' But as I was able to talk, pray, and think through these feelings, I realized that a step of faith in coming over here would totally fire God up, and that he would grow me and change me in ways that I could never be changed in my comfortable environment.
That being said, I am so encouraged to be over here. The few brothers and sisters I've already met are so encouraging, warm, and faithful. I feel so taken care of by the relationships here. The Wooten family has taken me in and it has been so encouraging to meet and build with their loving family. I am so encouraged to have my roommates, Chris and Ryan, who both speak English. Their hearts of generosity have already been extremely inspiring and convicting. All this being said, it is tough sometimes to think of the obstacles here like the language, getting around the city, lifestyle change, etc. But God is really working on me to become more adventurous and faithful and to really lean into the challenges with Him. A scripture that I???ve held onto for a long time, and that helps me here is Jeremiah 17:5-8, where the Bible describes a man that trusts in the Lord. My prayer is that God could use me in Kyiv this year to impact people for Him, whether it is through the orphanage or showing the Gospel to someone, or anything else. I know that God can do amazing things when we just have faith in his incredible power. Amen!
It has been so great to have John arrive. Last night we went out for dinner to celebrate his 22nd birthday! As he blew out the candle I thought of all the things God is going to do in his life this next year. The year 22 will be like no other year of his life. A year John will see God in a way ??? he has never seen him. John has such a kind and loving spirit about him, and a character of integrity and gratefulness.
It's also so encouraging seeing the impact he is already having. We had a meeting of Parents of Teens for the church, and John shared about what it is like growing up in the church, and what helped him to fall in love with God. For the parents of the Kiev church to look at a boy who grew up through kids kingdom, pre-teens, teens, campus, and be faithful and excited about his relationship with God, was so inspiring for them! A real vision of how we want our kids to grow up. So a thank you to Dave and Peggy for being such great parents and raising a true Kingdom Kid.
Well that is the first five chapters of this story! I am sure the book does not end there! ;) I am sure the spirit is moving in many of your hearts even as you read this article. I want to encourage you, no matter what stage in life you are, take a step of faith. Climb out of the boat, go out to the deep water, and pray for the mountain to move! Break through the crowd and yell out for your king! Touch the edge of his clothes; fall on your knees before Him.
I can't think of a time I have given up something for God, and regretted it. I can think of a few times I held back and regretted it. Whether you move to a foreign country, do mission work, go on a HOPE worldwide volunteer vacation, serve locally or internationally, it all brings God glory! Put up a map! Pray for countries! Get a pen pal! Visit the nursing home! Pass out sandwiches to the homeless! Vacation in India with HOPE. Visit Europe, go to the Middle East, and visit Africa. Go teach! Preach! Serve and LOVE! Don't miss a chance to change eternity! The mission field is everywhere, because this world is not our home!