Photo via assistnews.net

Ministry offers life-changing Dnieper river cruise with a purpose

As people consider where to book their summer vacations this year, Russian Ministries is inviting Western Christians to come and join them on an unforgettable cruise with a purpose along Ukraine’s Dnieper River, August 3-15, 2010, reports Peter Wooding, special to ASSIST News Service.

“This a great time to consider your summer vacation plans and we’d like to offer people a chance to travel with a purpose not just for a break from work, but also to learn about what God is doing in Ukraine – this wonderful, freedom-loving, former Soviet Union country that has a new democracy,” explains Russian Ministries’ Senior Vice-President, Sergey Rakhuba.

Sergey says one of the highlights of this 12-day educational and inspirational river trip includes full sight-seeing tours of the historic cities, including Odessa an elegant city of terraced hills and landscaped parks.

“You’ll also see Sevastopol, the base of the Russian Black Sea fleet. Tour the city center and see St. Vladimir Cathedral and Admiral Nakhimov Square. Enjoy a morning tour of the historic city of Yalta, visiting the White Palace, site of the 1945 Yalta Conference between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill, and take a guided tour through official halls and private apartments of the czar’s family.

“You’ll also visit Zaporozhye, my hometown and the ancestral home of the Cossacks. The Zaporozhye region is also the birthplace of the evangelical movement and site of the first Mennonite settlement in Ukraine.

Photo via assistnews.net

“But more importantly you’ll see how evangelical churches are involved in Christian ministry. You’ll have a chance to interact with the next generation of leaders who Russian Ministries is equipping for ministries and visit some of their ministries and projects like orphanages, summer camps and youth clubs.”

Sergey says for many years supporters of Russian Ministries have been deeply impacted by going on trips like this to the former Soviet Union, even mobilizing their family members and even grandchildren into missions work in Ukraine and Russia.

“Everyone who went on a trip like this before learned a lot about the country and missions and also had a chance to build new friendships. Sometimes grandparents bring their children and grandchildren and they have a great reunion while travelling and learning together.

“We’ve got so much great feedback and responses like some people who even said THEIR families and especially grandchildren got involved in ministry in Russia or Ukraine because of the trip. That’s the impact it had on their lives. People love it because it brings excitement, knowledge, a first hand international missions experience and many say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Retired businessman Tom Leafstrand from Wheaton, Illinois said: “My son and I were so impressed by the first Russian Ministries’ river cruise that we took, that we decided to go on another trip and bring my grandson with us. He was so fascinated by Russia’s history and culture and so inspired by the work of Russian Ministries in the former Soviet Union, that he decided to major in Russian studies in college. Travelling in Russia with Russian Ministries has made a tremendous impact on our family!”

Sergey Rakhuba, photo via assistnews.net

The Reimer Foundation’s Bill Reimer from Minneapolis, Minnesota said: “It has been a pleasure and adventure for my wife Dolores and me to take part in a number of ministry trips with Sergey Rakhuba of Russian Ministries. During our travels together, we have made many new friendships with church leaders there, learned much about the history and culture of the places we visited, and gained a deeper understanding of the work of Russian Ministries in the former Soviet Union. Travelling with Russian Ministries will immerse you in an unforgettable experience that will help expand your knowledge of missions and will show you how effective ministry can be!”

Sergey concluded: “I would highly encourage people to consider spending their summer vacation with a more meaningful purpose and see what God is doing in that part of the world. You’ll experience our wonderful Ukrainian culture and hospitality. You’ll also find out how you can get involved through yours prayers and partnership with Russian Ministries, to help equip the evangelical church through training the next generation of ministry leaders as they continue pushing the boundaries of God’s kingdom into the families and communities in that post soviet country.”

Accommodations are aboard an elegant ship built specifically for river travel and operated by Viking River Cruises, voted the world’s number one river cruise company. Staterooms are spacious and comfortable, each with an outside river view. Approximately 40 people from Canada and the USA are expected to join the trip and Russian Ministries is also extending its invitation to believers from other countries around the world including the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

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TAGS: Ukraine Russian Ministries Dnieper river cruise Sergey Rakhuba Christian ministry

[02/04/2010]

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