What an incredible experience to stand in Red Square, tour the Kremlin and see the remaining structures that represent the overwhelming power and domination of the former Soviet empire. The opulence of the buildings constructed by its past leaders is amazing, especially when contrasted with the economic strain that much of the rest of the country lived under. Ignite International has traveled to Russia three times since 2005 and has a deep love for the people of this vast nation. The cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladikavkaz and Sochi will be etched in the heart of Ignite International forever. However, there is no city on earth that has touched our heart like Beslan. For that reason, Beslan has its own page on the website, and we ask that you continue to pray for those who have endured so much.
Through games such as basketball and a very weak attempt by our group at soccer, we were able to easily connect with the kids at two orphanages in Moscow. In doing so, we encouraged them to find hope in our “head coach” through His son. Incidentally, at one of the orphanages, our team was the first adults to ever visit those boys and play with them – they are teenagers!! The seeds that Ignite planted will never be forgotten, and will be reminder to those young men of the love of God!!
We were also given time with a group of approximately 20 “street kids” in St. Petersburg – young people who, as the name suggests, live on the streets and have no home. Sniffing glue for the high and stealing food for survival are a normal part of the everyday experience for them. Our partner organization, Children’s Ministry International, reaches out to these teens on a regular basis, and it was a privilege to spend a few hours with them. Through simple games such as Dodge Ball (which, unfortunately, many ministry leaders would not consider to be a ministry tool), we encouraged them that through relationship with God, in Christ, they can have hope and can rise to become the people that they were created to be. One young man named Sergei prayed with Ignite Founder Judy Fox to receive Christ and his unique story has been shared with most Ignite sport missions teams since that day!! His life was changed forever, and his legacy, likewise, will be remembered by Ignite International. At least one soul will be in Heaven because of Dodgeball. A game. On an outdoor, concrete basketball court that will be remembered by that young man as the place where the best thing in his life ever happened.
Ignite International Founder Judy Fox spoke at a seminar in St. Petersburg to help train young adult leaders within a local congregation to utilize the universal language of sport as a tool for outreach. Many Russian Christians hold the belief that it is wrong to combine sports and Christianity, and yet global statistics reflect that more than 90% of people in the total world population participate in some kind of sport at some level. To connect with people at such a relevant place is a critical step in advancing the Kingdom, and we were able to demonstrate some practical games and life applications to a group of approximately 30 youth leaders. An Ignite team also shared in a conference in Sochi to train youth leaders and young adult ministers on how to use sport as a tool for evangelism/outreach, as well as to help kids develop self-esteem, find purpose and grow in their relationships with God. Many of the families from Beslan escape to Sochi this summer for rest and refreshment, and the mission there was to equip those who would work with these kids whose city had been devastated by the terrorist attack eight months earlier. For two days, Ignite teammates taught them the value of using sports in evangelism/outreach, how to put together a program, how to effectively use games and coordinate with Bible teaching, etc. Our team then helped them put together a program that they were to implement at the completion of the seminar. At the conclusion of our sessions, we all went to a local park and our class implemented the instruction we had given them. We were SO thrilled to see them take everything we had taught them and use it wonderfully. As a result, they were able to begin great relationships with about 30 kids at the park, as well as make plans to return the following Sunday evening for more programs.
Thanks to the opportunity provided by Children’s Ministry International and the practical, hands-on, relevant information shared by Ignite International, youth leaders in both St. Petersburg and Sochi are equipped, prepared, and empowered to reach others for the Lord!