Bringing Healing and Hope through sports (video)

We are excited to share the heartwarming story of Volodya Myskiv and his remarkable ministry through the “Colibri” Christian children’s soccer club. This sports ministry is dedicated to offering physical and emotional rehabilitation for children affected by war, while also sharing the good news about Jesus Christ through sports and coaching.

Volodya and his team are passionate about using soccer as a tool to bring hope and healing to the children of war. The Colibri Soccer Club provides a safe space for children to play, learn, and grow both physically and spiritually. Through the love of the game and compassionate coaching, Volodya is able to reach these young hearts and share the message of Christ’s love and redemption.

Click to watch Volodya’s story here or read it below: 

“Hello! My name is Volodymyr, I am 56! I am married to my wife Natalya, and we have a 3 month old son named Yaroslav!) 

 I am the head coach of the children’s football club Kolibri! I live in Lviv, Ukraine

Many years ago, I dedicated my life to serve younger generations by bringing them the message of Christ and help then grow spiritually. I have been coaching children at the Kolibri Club for over eight years now.

            This year our club has grown and we now have 2 age groups and 30 children and teenagers who train twice a week here on the football field near the church.

            The goal of our club is to be a platform of emotional, physical, and spiritual support for children and families who are experiencing the injustice of war.

            We help children to develop physically and at the same time to instill Christian values in the souls of young people by sharing the Good News with them and their parents.

            Our club is not just about football, our club is about reaching young people and war-wounded hearts with the healing message of Jesus Christ through football.

Children from different families play in our Christian club. Some children are children of believing parents! Some of the children are children who live near the church, but their parents do not go to church. Part of our team consists of children of refugees, who have experienced the horrors of war, and have various traumas from what they have seen and experienced. We also work with children whose parents are now at war or children from extremely poor families where parents often abuse alcohol! In such families, parents cannot pay for their extracurricular activities and our club is the only place where they can feel Christian love, care, and guidance!

One of the best things about this ministry is not only to see the boys grow, but to see how what you do influences their lives. Recently I had one of the parents approach me and hug me. I was surprised at first, but then she explained. Her only son has been visiting our football club for the last half a year and this has had a tremendous effect on him. Their family is from the Donetsk oblast. They lived through occupation and all the horrors of war. This teenager saw tank battles, explosions, and people getting killed right in front of him. About a year ago they fled to Lviv. Her son became extremely closed and experienced random shivering. “But after he started playing football with your team and listening to all the Bible stories you told, I see how he is changing. Even his shivering is almost gone!”  she said! This is one of the many stories that we hear, after which we want to say – Praise the Lord!!”

Support Volodya’s Ministry

Ukraine on Mission continues to empower and support local leaders like Volodya in their ministries. Your support is crucial in enabling them to continue their impactful work. We invite you to partner with us in supporting Volodya’s ministry with the Colibri Soccer Club. Here are specific ways you can contribute:

• $10: Provides a soccer ball for the club.
• $25: Covers snacks and drinks for few practice sessions.
• $50: Supports 1 IDP (internaly displaced person) child for 1 month of practice.
• $100: Helps purchase soccer uniforms and equipment.
• $150: Supports a counseling session for emotional rehabilitation.
• $200: Covers the cost of 1 soccer tournament organized by Colibri coaching team with evangelical emphasis.
• $250: Contributes to the maintenance of the soccer field and facilities.
• $500: Funds a month of coaching and training programs.

Your generous donations can make a significant difference in the lives of many children. Together, we can bring hope, healing, and the message of Christ to the children of war through the Colibri Soccer Club.

Donate Now and Partner with Us

Click here to make a donation and partner with us in supporting Volodya’s ministry. Your contribution, no matter the size, will have a lasting impact on the lives of the children served by the Colibri Soccer Club.

We also want you to support us in your prayers:

1. For head coach Volodya and his family. He has a newly born baby. Also, for God’s mercy in his possible mobilization to the Army
2. For children of the club, especially those who went through the horrors of war, as well as for families of those whose parents are in difficult circumstances.
3. For the strength and wisdom to continue to proclaim the Word of God to the children in the best way they can understand.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Ukraine on Mission and the incredible work being done by leaders like Volodya.