Paintball for “Mafia” or the Novice Effect

Elijah is in the center

We met a group of socially active students through our English club. Elijah (by the way, he did not know that it was a Biblical name) is an informal leader of this group.

Once a week, about 40 students from different universities get together in one of the cafés in Odessa to play “Mafia”. It turns out that this game is a very popular game among students in our city now. They even hold Mafia tournaments.

At the English club, Elijah and several other “Mafiosi” participated in Bible discussions with a great interest. After the English club, they kept coming to our discussion club meetings and, of course, they have been very interested in our paintball.

Paintball is an effective and universal relationship building strategy. It helps us assimilate new students into our movement. For example, after an English club it is natural to invite students to come play paintball with us and thus continue developing relationships with them. Paintball can also be used as an evangelistic tool that allows us to meet new people. It is especially helpful in our work with young men.

One of our student leaders, Zhenya, is sharing his personal testimony during a break between games. A spiritual part is essential at all of our events and meetings, and paintball is not an exception.

As a natural leader, Elijah took the initiative and suggested holding a paintball event for his “Mafia” friends, the group of students I described earlier.

That is the “novice effect” – when a new person brings many others with him. Of course, Elijah does not consider himself a spiritual leader yet. He does not even fully believe in God – he is an agnostic. Nevertheless, as a leader among other students he brings 20 non-believers to our evangelistic event!

 Vanya (one of the student leaders) shares “Four spiritual laws”. Elijah stands beside him. He helped us organize his friends during a break between the games. It was obvious that Elijah understood the importance of a spiritual part and felt responsibility for his friends.

One of the students came with his mom. She responded to the Gospel message quite skeptically, but I think we were able to dispel some of her stereotypes about Christians. Interestingly, the mother came to play paintball with her son and, if I understood correctly, she also plays Mafia with him and his friends.

Please pray that Elijah and other students who heard the Good News from us. May they come to know the Lord and give their lives to Him.

I also want to ask you continue to pray for the support I am raising in the States right now. I am both working on the team support and my personal support.

Thank you my dear friend for standing alongside me in this ministry. You are dear to me and much appreciated.