Ministry Takes Christian Compassion, Critical Aid to Russian Region
by Allie Martin
May 19, 2004
(AgapePress) - An ongoing Christian outreach to the people of the former Soviet Union is about to kick into high gear. This summer hundreds of U.S. mission volunteers will head to various parts of Russia as part of Operation Carelift, an outreach of Josh McDowell Ministries.Operation Carelift is a subsidiary ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Each winter and summer -- in July and December -- Operation Carelift volunteers spend two weeks in Russia and surrounding republics delivering humanitarian aid to children in places of need such as orphanages, boarding schools, hospitals and youth prisons.
Operation Carelift president Duane Zook says there are special missions planned for Russia's street children. He says the outreach "gives them hope. It gives them somebody who can hug them."
Zook explains that most of the children targeted by the initiative do not come from stable and loving environments. "These kids don't come from families with moms and dads who love them," he says, "and they've seen a lot of abuse. So, as these volunteers hug on them and play with them; it gives them a hope for the future."
Operation Carelift's president says there is a great openness to the gospel among the people of the former Soviet Union. In many cases, tremendous need has created initial inroads for believers to show compassion and to share the love of Christ with the people.
For instance, Zook says, "In Belarus, we've been asked, by not only the churches but some political and government officials I've met with as well, to come in and minister to needy families and children in institutions like orphanages in the area that was affected by that horrible Chernobyl accident 18 years ago."
Operation Carelift was started more than 15 years ago by Josh McDowell Ministries as a way to share the truth of God's love and to deliver critical humanitarian aid to needy children and families in Russia and the surrounding republics.
