Please pray—these young people need to know Jesus!
With 2024 drawing to a close soon, that means preparations for SGA-supported Immanuel’s Child outreaches will be moving into high gear. While most outreaches will take place on or around January 7, the traditional Eastern Christmas, a growing number of churches in Ukraine and other parts of the former Soviet Union are holding them in conjunction with Western Christmas on December 25.
Andrei is an SGA-supported missionary pastor in Ukraine who sent us several accounts of young people whom God touched through Immanuel’s Child ministry last year:
“Ivan is from a family of unbelieving parents. The boy started coming to the church as a nine-year-old. There was a time when Ivan thought of himself an atheist, but now he is on the path to repentance. He understands the essence of Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Ivan’s worldview is changing thanks to his continual attendance of worship meetings, along with activities for teenagers and youth.
Sixteen-year-old Davyd and 14-year-old Sofia are both from unbelieving homes. Young Davyd has come to church since he was 12 and wants to know more about God. He said, ‘I am interested to know God and am gradually drawn closer to Him, but I still relate to God more in order to receive personal blessings.’ While Sofia believes in God, she has not yet come to true repentance. As she continues to come to worship services, pray that the Lord will draw her to Himself in faith. Pray for Davyd and Sofia to receive Jesus as their Lord.
There were several other boys and girls who came to the outreach as well. The kids were pleasantly surprised and thanked SGA partners for the gifts. The parents of these teenagers know that their children attend church and do not object. Moreover, some of the parents also come to church from time to time. Thank God! Please, pray for coming to the saving faith repentance of our teenagers and their parents!”
Last Christmas season, more than 61,000 children and youth received gifts that you helped provide and heard the Gospel through Immanuel’s Child. Pray with us to reach even more children this year!