Trials and Training Launch a Ministry

In 2018, the Lord brought Kesenia and Denis Vasilyeva a treasure - their son, Seva.

In the midst of their joy, they were also given a trial: Seva would have to work his way through life with spina bifida, a condition of the spine, and would soon be relegated to a wheelchair.

The Vasilyevas were equally surprised by and disappointed by the lack of understanding and resources available to them - particularly in the church. After encountering the frustration, loneliness, and exclusion from much of the life in which a young boy desires to engage, the Vasilyevas felt called to join with and minister to others in their situation. They desired to build a community of support in their church for all families encountering challenges with disabilities.

Sweet Seva, where the inspiration for special needs ministry began

They desired to help make the church accessible to anyone with any disability, and noted that many families in their situation were also struggling with family/relational difficulties and spiritual problems. Because of the magnitude of this undertaking, they soon realized they needed ministry training to help serve all the various trials and situations people were encountering.

Upon achieving their certification in Counseling and ministry from Moscow Theological Seminary, they created a space of welcome and inclusion in their home church in Moscow.

In 2022, they launched Joy Without Borders , a ministry that offers a special niche of welcome, understanding, and belonging within the church to families with special needs.

Gifts, crafts, connections, friends

The ministry's goal is to establish contact with families, support them, and to give them and their children attention and love. The ministry operates within their church, but Vasilyevas also desired that a number of families would be drawn from outside the church by attending a number of evangelistic events throughout the year.

With a desire to reach all families, including the unchurched with disabilities, the Vasilyevas spearheaded their first evangelistic Christmas event.

First Christmas outreach event was a miracle in itself, sharing the story of Jesus' birth

Kesenia recalls, "Our first event was a miracle. We did not have a team yet, but many brothers and sisters responded to our call for help in its implementation!"

We teach and sing Christmas hymns, glorifying our Lord, and play interactive games together. We also attend to adult guests by offering a word from the preacher. Each child receives a Christmas gift, usually Christian children's literature, stickers, sensory and soothing toys suitable for anyone.

Parents enjoy the events as much as the children

"People tend to not care what you know until they know how much you care. And we want them to feel cared for by us and by the Lord."

With the overwhelming response from families with special needs, the Vasilyevas implemented even more events: an Easter outreach event, and regular summer picnic events to continue this ministry of community and outreach. The format is usually the same with the main goal being connection and evangelization.

Many do not know the Easter story: of Christ's death and resurrection

Learning the Easter story

Picnics are held in the church courtyard and the community is invited. The event is organized into different areas: play, creative (children and parents), a recreation area and a treat area. And here we are more free in choosing a topic, for example, one of the picnics was dedicated to Creation, the other to Friendship with Christ. Here we also try to provide each child with an accompanying person if he needs it.

"Our great desire to make the church accessible to all."

At every opportunity, sharing the Word of God

Families come to us with a special child, brothers/sisters, dads, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, etc. For adults, during the game part, we make separate tables with master classes, coffee and small treats.

What a blessing and encouragement to see the truth of Romans 8:28 being lived out in the Vasilyeva's ministry: "we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" ... that what began with a trial has become an effective, welcoming, and God-honoring ministry to others - all working together for good.

They ask for prayer in the following:

1. For our guest families - that God continues to work in their hearts. Thanks for each family, for their desire to listen and search for God. We pray that in all difficulties they can see God's loving hand. That the believe in Christ as Savior.

2. Gratitude for our whole team, its growth and development. We pray for the spiritual depth of the team.

3. Gratitude for team organizers - for their sacrifice and dedication. We pray that the Lord will encourage and bring more dedicated people to the organizing team.

4. Gratitude for everything we have been able to do this season, for God's guidance. Let nothing be in vain and bring glory to our Lord.

5. Translation of books for teaching ministers. We pray for the creation of a team of translators, for legal processes, a team of design and layout. So that all this will benefit and glory to the Lord.

6.We pray for Calvary Church so that we are always ready to accept and serve special families.