Southern conference

The Southern conference of the Ukrainian Union consists of  three regions: Odessa ( 33310 sq.km.), Nikolaev(24598 sq. km.), and the republic of Crimea(26860 sq.km.). Its territory is 113000 sq.km. which is about the size of the country of Bulgaria. The Conference has 111 Seventh-day Adventists churches and 7910 members. There has been a steady increase in membership in recent years. For instance, in 2007 there were 394 baptisms, in 2008- 411 baptisms, and in 2009- 442 baptisms. In planning the missionary work the Church takes into account the peculiarities of the region. Programs like The Health Expo, Breath Freely for those who want to quit smoking, Health land for children have been very successful. Another popular thing is missionary health camps held in resort areas. The participating Adventists invite their non-Adventist friend to these recreational camps. The ten days that these friends spend side by side with the Adventists help see the real life of the Christians, learn from their good habits, worship God together, and in the long run  in many cases join the church.

Every summer in resort areas on the shores of Black and Azov seas we hold family, youth, children, and teen camps. This provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy one’s holidays with the entire family and strengthen one’s health. For many youths these camps are the only chance to join the church. The baptismal services that take place in the waters of Black and Azov seas look especially impressive. A special challenge  for Adventists is the Muslim community that lives in Crimea because it takes specific approach to reach them with the gospel. The conference administration has recently developed and launched successfully a number of large missionary projects. Among them are: the construction of the media center in Nikolaev and rehab center in Berezanka.   The work on the media center is not yet finished but it is already put to a good use. The team of young people creates the programs for children, teens, and youth, videos the worship services, and works on the special project that has to do with the museum of Adventism in Simferopol. The rehab center in Berezanka helps the former inmates to adapt themselves to new life and quit the chemical and alcoholic addictions through spiritual classes and work therapy.