They Fled the War and Found a Family.

joelbutts1231minis
May 25
3 min read

Updated: Jun 8

The Bible is full of stories about people who run away from war, famine, distress, oppression, in shame and desperation, and even in fear of death.

The story of Ruth is powerful and raw. It is the story of a foreign refugee who left everything behind to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi to a strange land. Though she had no legal claim to belonging Boaz saw her and brought her into his family. Even though she was a refugee she found a place in God's story.

David's band fled to the cave of Abdullam deep in the En Gedi wilderness. They were in distress, in debt, and embittered , scripture says. But they gathered together like family.

Hagar, the handmaiden of Sarai, Abraham's wife fled twice into the wilderness, alone and desperate. But God found her both times. He saw her. So, she gave Him a name — "El Roi, the one who sees me." Young people sometimes feel unseen. How much more invisible do you. think they feel in a foreign land?

Moses fled Egypt as a fugitive and found a whole new family in Midian, modern-day northwestern Saudi Arabia. God completely reshaped his identity in exile before he was called into a greater purpose.

Jacob fled from his brother's murderous rage into a foreign land. He found love, community and reconciliation. Yet his years of wandering were deeply transformative.

These stories contain essential elements found in the ministry of one of our key partners, Youth Hub in Warsaw, Poland led by Lisa Chupryna (pictured below).

Lisa leads this thriving and robust youth ministry. She serves both Ukrainian refugee teens who have fled war, displacement, and trauma as well as Polish teens searching for purpose and meaning in life. Youth Hub is a safe haven, accepting, a place to be seen, transformative, and life-shaping.

This August, we have a tremendous opportunity — and we need partners.

This summer, Lisa and her congregation are hosting and participating in two significant back-to-back youth-focused events:

GIVE: https://givebutter.com/polandsummer2026

1. Good Fruit Youth Conference — Stuttgart, Germany (Aug. 7–9) The 4th Annual Good Fruit Conference is a Spirit-filled, interdenominational youth gathering drawing teens from congregations across Europe. Lisa wants to bring a group of 20 (15 teens + 5 leaders) from Warsaw to participate in worship, the Word, and fellowship with other young believers. Need: $2,500.

2. Youth Prayer Retreat — Warsaw (Aug. 21–23) Lisa had a vision to create a small local retreat for Youth Hub. However, seemingly overnight it has blossomed into something remarkable — a multi-faith youth prayer event — a joint gathering of Jewish-Christian, Catholic, and Protestant young people. It is expected to draw 120–150 attendees. Your support helps Lisa and Youth Hub meet their financial commitment to this historic, community-building event.

Need: $1,500.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Or scan the QR

Our total summer campaign goal is $7,250...

which includes the two events above and my travel to Warsaw as I’m being asked to be personally present with our partners.

Visit our secure fundraiser page at givebutter.com/polandsummer2026

SEE THE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/mKlSfKRkZK4

Visit our website twelve3oneministries.org/donate to explore other ways to give like your favorite pay apps (Venmo, PayPal, CashApp) or by check.

We’re grateful for your faith and support and we ask for your consistent prayer. Our hope is that you will consider joining us in impacting the lives of young people who desperately need to feel safe, seen, part of something bigger, and filled with purpose.