GET TO KNOW SCOTT YOUNT

Pastor Scott Yount is a Spiritual Orphans Network (SON) full-time missionary who has been living and serving in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, since 2014. Pastor Scott and his wife, Lena, started Joy 4 Ukraine, a ministry that brings the joy of the Gospel to orphans and youth with special needs. Pastor Scott and Lena visit a local rehabilitation center for youth with special needs every week. There they sing worship songs, play games, and build relationships with some amazing kids. 

Pastor Scott writes:

“Life is very difficult for people with special needs in Ukraine. Many of the roads and sidewalks are old and poorly paved. Our city has little to no handicap accessible public transportation or buildings. Many multistory apartment buildings don’t have elevators, and even those that do often have stairs leading up to the entrance of the building. Because of this, it is very difficult for people with disabilities to go anywhere and they can easily become isolated.”

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made things even more difficult. Because of Russian attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure, most of Ukraine is dealing with constant power outages, while some areas don’t have power at all. When the power is out, elevators in buildings don’t work. 

We know many parents of children with disabilities who live on the 7^th or 8^th floor who are afraid to take their children out for fear of having to carry their kids up multiple flights of stairs if their building loses power. Many have been stuck outside waiting until the power comes back. I think everyone understands that war is bad, but very few realize just how terrible it is for people with special needs.” 

“Knowing all the challenges these families face, our ministry looks to bring joy into their lives in many different ways. We visit kids at their homes. Once a month we gather the kids and their families for worship. I have volunteers who help carry wheelchairs up the stairs so we can sing worship songs, preach the Gospel, and lift each other up in prayer. We end every worship service with a song called the Prayer for Ukraine. Seeing the passion with which these kids sing brings joy and hope to everyone who comes to worship.”

Scott continues: “We also bring joy through summer Bible camps. For campers who are often isolated, this is a chance for them to have a whole week spending time with other youth their age. It is also just as much a ministry to the parents, who get a week of rest, while the volunteers lead Bible studies, worship songs, and crafts for both parents and kids. During the game time in the afternoon, the moms sit and drink tea and talk about life and their challenges. We have seen so many lives changed through camp. Many of our volunteers are former campers themselves.”

“This fall we are planning a prom for the youth with whom we work. We are looking forward to a night to celebrate teens with special needs by rolling out a red carpet and having a wonderful night of great food, dancing, and so much fun. The best part is seeing every kid named the king and queen of the prom and letting them know that they are all treasures in God’s eyes.” 

You may recall that, at the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Younts were able to evacuate to Slovakia and live at the Ichthys Center in Velký Slavkov, Slovakia, for over seven months. There they met and formed strong ties with many SON ministry partners in Slovakia.

As a result, for the past two summers Pastor Scott has been able to join one of our SON English Bible Camp mission teams in Slovakia, where he leads worship and enthusiastically jumps in wherever support is needed. It has been a great way for SON short-term missionaries from the States to meet and serve alongside Pastor Scott and experience his love and passion for connecting those who are often overlooked and marginalized, with the Gospel. To God be the glory!