A History of the Association of Christian Camps and Conference Centers in Ukraine

Also known as Christian Camping International Ukraine

From Vision to Movement: Three Decades of Building the Church

In 1991, organized Christian camping was virtually non-existent across Ukraine and the surrounding region. Churches had few effective tools to reach children and youth with the gospel or develop them into the next generation of leaders. Today, Christian camps are an integral part of church ministry across denominations—a transformation made possible through the sustained vision and partnership of the Association of Christian Camps and Conference Centers (ACCCC).

Founding and Early Growth (1996–2000s)

ACCCC began its work in 1996 as the on-the-ground hands of Kingdom Ventures Inc., founded by Dave and Elfrieda Loewen of Canada. Working in partnership with CCI Worldwide, ACCCC introduced churches to the biblical pattern of temporary communities for spiritual objectives—intentional, set-apart times and places where young people could encounter Jesus personally and discover their calling as leaders.

The early years required pioneering work: developing training programs from scratch, publishing resources in local languages, and building trust with churches across various evangelical denominations, as well as Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox congregations. ACCCC functioned as neutral ground—"the Switzerland of the Christian community"—where churches could collaborate beyond denominational boundaries.

Building Infrastructure and Impact (2000s–2010s)

Over two decades, ACCCC developed comprehensive infrastructure to support camp ministry. The organization published 42 titles including camp leadership manuals, curricula, songbooks, and leadership materials. Through over 30 annual training events, ACCCC equipped more than 50,000 camp leaders across three decades, with close to 850,000 campers attending camps and hearing the gospel.

At its peak before the 2022 war, ACCCC supported a network of 750 Christian camps across Ukraine. The organization established a participatory mission model—rather than running centralized camps, ACCCC equipped churches to lead their own ministries, ensuring camping remained integrated into church life rather than separate from it.

Innovation and Resilience (2020–Present)

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, ACCCC demonstrated remarkable adaptability. The organization pivoted to record 150 training courses via Zoom, reaching leaders in 27 countries globally and proving the viability of digital training approaches.

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine tested ACCCC's resilience even further. Despite the war, the Kyiv-based team continued implementing and innovating ministry. The organization's strategic international structure—with operational hubs in Ukraine and North America—enabled continuity of mission even during crisis.

Current Strength and Structure

Today, ACCCC operates with a lean but effective structure. Five Ukrainian staff members, supported by the 87-person ACCCC Covenant Group representing 43 camps, equip 2,500 camp leaders annually from 450 active camps, serving 55,000 campers each year across six countries.

The organization is in a post-founder phase, navigating leadership transition while maintaining strong operational ties between its Ukraine-based team and North American hub. This period of transition brings both the continuity of established systems and the fresh perspective needed for the next chapter of ministry.

A Model for the Future

ACCCC's three-decade journey demonstrates that Christian camping, when properly supported and church-integrated, serves as one of the most effective platforms for connecting the church with the next generation. Research from OneHope International identifies Christian camps as the second most effective platform for this purpose, while Hodos Institute research confirms camps as powerful tools for nurturing adolescents into leaders.

From virtual non-existence in 1991 to a vital component of church ministry today, Christian camping in Ukraine stands as a testament to what happens when faithful partners commit to a long-term vision and invest in camps as intentional spaces where lives are transformed. As ACCCC looks toward 2026–2036, the foundation laid over 30 years positions the organization to expand its impact across Eastern Europe and beyond, continuing to build tomorrow's church leaders today.