This time, the Reimer Center was filled with cheerful energy. From the very first moments, everyone felt that this day would be special. Together with the “Light of Life” Church, the clubs “Future” organized a Bible Brain Ring — an intellectual tournament that crowned several months of preparation. Teenagers had been meeting weekly to study the Book of Acts, discussing challenging passages, sharing insights, and trying to understand what it means to act with faith. Finally, the day arrived when they could demonstrate what they had learned and simply enjoy being together in a community where warmth, encouragement, and joy were always present.
It wasn’t just a game. Each team had its own story, traditions, name, emblem, and motto. Some came after long days at school, tired but determined not to miss a session, knowing that every meeting offered something deeper than facts — a lesson in faith and teamwork. Over the past months, participants had been reading Scripture, studying biblical maps, and exploring Paul’s journeys, the first churches, and the miracles God performed through the apostles.
On the final day, the hall of the Reimer Center was filled with laughter, applause, and a festive spirit. The host joked and encouraged the teams as questions appeared on the screen — some easy, some challenging. “Who was the first deacon?” the voice rang out, and several hands shot up. “Where did Paul meet Lydia?” and silence fell as everyone concentrated. Some whispered urgently, others giggled from excitement. But everyone was involved — it wasn’t a contest of rivals, but a joyful meeting of friends united by one purpose.
Yet the most important part was not the competition itself, but the journey leading to it. Over these months, the teens learned to see the apostles as real people, much like themselves. They witnessed how Paul and Peter acted with courage and faith, even when surrounded by danger. They saw how they preached when others were silent and kept going when others gave up. These examples couldn’t leave the young participants unchanged. The apostles became not just heroes of the past, but role models for today — for their own lives, friends, and cities.
Just as the apostles once overcame obstacles, so today Ukrainians live through trials. Zaporizhzhia is a city that often remains without electricity due to the destroyed power system, yet even in the darkness, the fire of faith burns brightly. This Brain Ring reminded everyone that they are not alone. When sirens wail, when it’s hard to find the strength to smile — the community becomes a pillar of hope. The teenagers who took part in the game saw that faith does not fade when it’s dark — it shines brighter.
After the competition, the teams hugged each other, and a sense of unity filled the room. The leaders of the church and Reimer Center thanked the teens for their effort, dedication, and sincerity. Laughter and gratitude echoed around, and even when the lights began to flicker again, no one hurried home. Everyone wanted to stay a bit longer — to talk, to share, to rejoice.
One of the mentors, Serhiy, summed it up:
“The apostles acted, and we must act too. They didn’t wait for the right conditions — they just went forward. We can also be light, even when it’s dark around us.”
These words became the motto of the day — a reminder that faith without action is dead, and even small deeds can change the world.
Thus, the “Future” Brain Ring turned from a simple game into a moment that left a mark on many hearts. It showed that in wartime, when everything seems uncertain, there are things that cannot be destroyed — faith, community, and the desire to learn. In Reimer Center, just as two thousand years ago in Jerusalem, those who believe in the living God gather together to bring light further, because it is in such moments that hope for the future is born.
