CEE Story From The Mission Field
Good Medicine
September 16, 2005
Missionaries in Ukraine have found a wonderful ministry that brings healing to their people — both physically and spiritually. The roots of this ministry date back to 1998, when their team had the first taste of medical missions. Mike Ray is the strategy coordinator for East Central Ukraine and has organized more than 90 one-day clinics since then. “I often tell my Ukrainian partners that they are fishing for men,” he said, “and we must have bait to draw the fish!” One of the most effective ways to draw them has been medical clinics.
In a one-day medical clinic, more lost people will come into contact with the church and pastor than might normally do so in an entire year. This ministry is a great help for a new church start because of the exposure to many unbelievers. Through the years, thousands have heard the gospel and have been ministered to physically.
In addition, those volunteers who have come to work with the Ukrainians have sought to help in other ways. They have had a positive impact in providing nine houses of worship and they are in the process of helping others. The impact this is having in those places where people are coming and hearing the gospel year-round is huge. “These volunteers who come and work in medical missions are great,” said Mike. “May God bless them, and may their tribe increase!”
Ukraine is but one country in the Belarus, Ukraine and Satellites (BUS) field of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), but it has become a great example of the importance of volunteer partnership because volunteers are such a large part of the ongoing work there. “Volunteer teams make a major contribution to our strategies in reaching the lost and starting churches,” said Mike.
Throughout the BUS Field of CEE, volunteer teams come for various projects — with each one being unique. Projects generally last about seven to eight days and involve ministries such as day camps, evangelistic crusades, medical clinics, sports camps, English classes, prayerwalking and construction.
Often as American Christians come to minister, their hearts are touched in ways they never anticipated. For many, it is their first time serving shoulder to shoulder with national believers in another country. For most, in addition to seeing lives changed, it is an experience that will change their own lives forever.
Every year thousands of volunteers partner with the International Mission Board (IMB) throughout the five fields of CEE. They are a vital part of helping reach all 440 people groups and cities for Christ. These volunteers have become a necessary part of God’s ministry. He calls some to come back and stay longer as two or three-year personnel, and still others return as career missionaries.
Where might you fit into this ministry? How does God want to use you in CEE? If you would like to find out more about how to volunteer in BUS or other fields in CEE, e-mail hope4cee@pobox.com.
This article first appeared in the Central and Eastern Europe regional newsletter, Hope4CEE. If you would like to receive this newsletter by mail, please send your name, mailing address, and home church to hope4cee@pobox.com.