Two weeks ago we received a gift: a day in person with a family friend of ours and my ministry partner, Alexander (president of CCI/Russia), as he traveled on to Lithuania. Being together reminded me why it’s so important to create a variety of opportunities for our leaders to meet face-to-face—conversations that spark courage, clarity, and joy in a way screens can’t.
This fall we’re encouraging short, local meet-ups of camp leaders—nothing complicated: a time, a host, and a circle of people who care about the camping ministry. Last year we held meet-ups in Moscow and the Urals; this year we’re seeing interest and hope to see additional circles in St. Petersburg, Kazan, Siberia, and the South of Russia. We’re also seeing some interest in the Baltics and Belarus.
What makes these gatherings unique is that they’re not run by us—they’re initiated and organized by the camps themselves. Typically, leaders from several camps—often our key volunteers—take the lead and invite others in their area to join. These meet-ups help churches that don’t yet have camps explore how camp can be a unique way to reach kids and youth for Christ, and they give leaders who sometimes feel alone space to meet peers, exchange ideas, be inspired, and pray together. This is a place where my strengths fit well: I love to inspire a first step, encourage the organizers, and then walk alongside them as they build something simple, practical, and truly useful for their region.
We’re also beginning to hear practical responses. Masha from Irkutsk shared: “It would be very interesting to hold such an event, and we could use it as a preparatory platform for a staff training workshop here—to test the ground. At least 3–4 camps from our circle could take part, and I already have ideas who else to invite. I’ll discuss it with our pastor and team.”
We’re excited to see this momentum—especially in places like Siberia, where connection can feel far away.
