Sports Camp in Ukraine

November 8, 2023

Sports Camps bring the peace of Christ in the midst of war

Although war still ravages the country, our SQ Partner, Pasha, steadfastly serves the Ukrainian people. Ever since the war started in February 2022, Pasha never left. He courageously stayed behind to support SportQuest’s humanitarian aid efforts and evacuate Ukrainians from battle zones into safety. 

Over the last months, quite a few families returned to their homes. With many cities still under severe threat of attack, Pasha realized children need sports now more than ever. Playing and laughing with peers gives them the joy of being children again and a healthy distraction from the immense gravity of war.

In June, Pasha finished up a sports camp in partnership with his church. In May, he led a sports camp near Kyiv for 30 children. Praise God for keeping them safe from rocket explosions and attacks! Take a look at this brief video recap of the festivities.

In total, Pasha and his team were able to lead 35 sports camps in various Ukrainian towns throughout the summer. More than 2,700 kids participated in these camps -- some of which were geared specifically towards children who were injured in the war. 

To reach even more children and families, Pasha began training other leaders and teams on how to run a multi-sports camp. This short video gives you a glimpse of the work they’re stepping into.

But sports camps are only a launching pad. Pasha and his team use these programs to build intentional relationships with youth and their families. This is what our ministry is all about! 

Pasha and his team invite anyone who’s interested to join them in a process of discovering the Bible. They chronologically teach God’s Word from Creation to the Cross and create an environment for open discussion and interaction. Those who accept Jesus as their personal Savior are baptized and integrated into a local church to continue growing in faith. 

Praise God for the beautiful redemption He’s bringing out of death, ruin, and destruction! Please keep praying for God to touch many children and families through Pasha’s faithful outreach and discipleship.

Ashley's Story: Rooting Young People in a Solid Foundation

By rance.bland • August 25, 2022
Ashley (Fisk) Feister served with SportQuest in Belgium from 2004 - 2008. These were pivotal years in her life that laid a solid foundation for what God is calling her and her family to do today. Ashley and her husband, David, lead a discipleship program for young adults that combines hands-on farming, outdoor adventure, and deep biblical training called Planted Gap Year.

Soccer, Faith and Fitness Bring Families Together in Venezuela

By angela.blackwell • March 31, 2022
For Yackencys Domínguez Trías, enrolling her 10-year-old daughter Georgette Medina in a SportQuest soccer program resulted in several unexpected benefits. While watching her daughter practice, Yackencys saw a group of women exercising and learning about Christ. She wanted to join this community of women and decided to get involved. Today, Yackencys is part of the Vida Fitness Team and works out while Georgeth learns soccer skills. Both mother and daughter have embraced Christ and are becoming devout followers. More than 90 children participate in the SportQuest soccer academy and fitness program located in Maturin, Monagas in eastern Venezuela. SportQuest Partner Cesar Daniel Bermudez runs the program and has a dream that it will grow to serve 500 youth. Residents in this community face many challenges including poverty, dysfunctional homes, alcoholism, and drug addiction. “We have seen how the different sports and fitness programs have allowed children and their parents to play sports and go to church together,” Cesar says. “Children and youth play sports and are discipled. Mothers attend daily fitness training and learn the Word of God. Fathers are invited to participate in games to connect with their children and also to learn about the Lord. As a result, several participants have made their confession of faith, have been baptized, and attend church regularly.” Santiago Salazar met Jesus through soccer. At 14 years old, in the middle of a biblical teaching, Santiago accepted Christ into his life. In December 2021, he was baptized and today he attends church on a consistent basis. As prepares to be a professional soccer player, he is also learning how to share his story and his love of Christ with others. Great things are happening in Venezuela through sports and fitness while learning about Christ. Praise God!

Panama City Partners Bring Together Kids of All Ages to Play and Pray

By angela.blackwell • February 4, 2022
The Pacora Gardens community is a quiet, impoverished neighborhood on the east side of Panama City, Panama. The area is known as a “dormitory city” as residents work in the city during the day and return to the community late at night to sleep. There are many children and teenagers who live in this area with their parents and are often left alone at home during the day. Seeing an opportunity to share the gospel through sport ministry in Pacora Gardens, SportQuest Partners, Enrique and Zuleyka Catalan, are helping to build a faith community where children, teenagers, and parents can all grow in the knowledge of God and His purpose for their lives. “A large number of children and young people identify with sport; it is universal to play soccer or basketball,” said Enrique. “Play is a magnificent tool that has allowed us to establish relationships within the community and share the message of hope through Christ. Ultimately, our goal is to establish a church in this neighborhood of about 500 homes.” The Catalans and 20 members of their own church coach and minister to the children each week. The children range in age from 4 to 15 years old. About 30 to 50 boys and girls meet once a week to play games, learn the fundamentals of faith, and what it means to be a follower of Christ. Five-year-old Angel Navarro was reluctant at first to learn about the Lord. But, as the days and weeks went by, he continued to learn more about what it means to be a follower of Christ and to be free from sin. He enjoyed playing with the other kids and after a few weeks, he asked Christ to come into his heart. “We hope that Angel can continue to know and grow in God through this mission,” said Enrique. “We’re excited to think about what God has in store for his life.”
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