Ukraine Mission Update
NEW! Mission Trip for Youth Camp in Ukraine (July 3-14, 2025)
PURPOSE: We have been invited to participate in a joint mission in July with others United Methodists from around the country to Mukachevo, Ukraine to assist on a summer camp for 80 high school age youth.
GENERAL: Rev Dr. Fred Vanderwerf, coordinator for In Mission Together-Ukraine of the General Board of Missions, contacted us to invite us to partner with our Ukrainian UMC friends that we met at Pid Zomkom (Under the Castle) in May, 2025 and the amazing work Pastors Yulia and Oleg Starodubets are doing with IDP (internally displaced people). A 10-person team from the US will join with Ukrainian youth workers to put on the 5 night camp for youth who are relatively new to the faith in the beautiful Transcarpathia mountains in western Ukraine along the border with Poland and Slovakia. Although we have been to this area before and felt very safe, safety remains a top concern as we must remember that Ukraine is still a nation at war. The US team will consist of people who are good with young people, comfortable with building relationships, and willing to help lead activity workshops and small groups. The team consists of volunteers from the United Methodist churches in Minnesota, Idaho, Florida and us.
OUR TEAM: Brett Logan, Karen Perry, David Dunn, Chase Coale, and Rev. Brandon Dirks
OUR TASK: The PUMC team has been asked to design, develop and implement the “program” part of the camp. That is, we will be providing the content to help the newly Christian young people take a deeper step into faith, especially as they face a very uncertain future. A faith in Christ will be a huge source of hope and comfort as many of the young boys may soon be called into service. The theme of the camp is “Closer to God” and will be designed to help these young people see the Christian life as a life full of meaning and joy and a calling to make a commitment to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. In addition, we will be asked to lead small groups, daily devotionals, give our personal testimonies, and provide elective activities for the youth to participate in during their free time. See video from LAST YEAR’s camp: https://vimeo.com/983931622
WHY UKRAINE: The Mission Council approved in 2022 to create and build a hands-on, relevant international mission program for the Ukrainian people that the world tends to overlook. This invitation seems to fall right in line with our original goals. By working and serving in Ukraine, we have the opportunity to provide a significant impact in young people’s lives. Furthermore, the United Methodist Church in Ukraine is growing at an exciting rate, and it’s the young people who are inspiring this growth.
PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray for the 80 youth to ‘grow closer to God’ during this camp, and that they will be inspired to commit themselves to being faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Pray for each member of the PUMC team that we may be humble conduits of God’s grace, that we may be flexible to whatever circumstances we may find ourselves, that we be authentic witnesses of faith in Jesus Christ, and that we may return home safe.
WANT TO HELP? The UMC is covering the entire cost of the camp for the young persons. If you’d like to sponsor one or more youth campers, the cost for each is $150. You can also support one of our team members by helping to cover the cost of transportation ($1500 each). Click HERE to make an online contribution.
QUESTIONS? Contact the Rev. Brandon Dirks, Minister of Missions & Outreach, HERE.
Photos from 2024 Mission Trip