February 2026
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
The annual MP winter camp took place this January during a frigid cold front and expanded rocket attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. When I arrived in Kyiv, the city was dark, without power or heat. Despite these hardships, 75 teens gathered the previous week with our good friend Tom Roth, a retired firefighter from Oregon. They had fun, learned English, studied the Bible, and worshipped the Lord.
Despite rocket attacks on Kyiv at night, the camp was a success; however, several people got sick. This included our friend Tom, who had been attending both summer and winter camps for many years as an American grandpa counselor. A type of father figure for the kids.
Tom experienced a severe form of influenza and, as the camp ended, was transported to the hospital. He was diagnosed with double pneumonia, from which he did not recover. Our brother Tom went to be with the Lord on the morning of January 15, 2026, at the age of 68. Though he passed away, Tom was doing what he loved—sharing his faith and loving the people of Ukraine.
Nadia Shares Her Story About Tom
Nadia is Kolya’s teenage daughter. Her father, Kolya, was once a sponsored child in our program. He grew up, joined our staff as an IT manager, and eventually married and had children of his own. Just as Kolya’s life was changed by the Lord in camp, now his kids are seeing their faith come alive as well.
She said: “After I met Tom in the Carpathians, I began to think much more deeply about what I want to do in the future and who I want to become. I spent a lot of time with him, and I truly loved listening to his Bible lessons. In them, I was finding myself, and every time I heard Tom preach, I felt love and warmth fill my heart.
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After last year’s winter camp, I realized that I want to serve God with the gifts I have. I know that I communicate well with people, and I began to use that. I joined the MP Daniel school ministry, started serving at my church, worked at children’s camps, and traveled to different places to talk about God. I realized that this is exactly what I want to dedicate my life to.”
When I had problems with my back, Tom always asked me if I was in pain and cared about me like a loving grandfather. He helped me carry pain that I could never have endured on my own. Even though Tom is no longer with me – and that broke my heart deeply – I know that he would want me to continue serving people and God. This August, I will be baptized, 
and I serve on the worship team. I am so thankful for his example.”
Elijah Is Part of the Daniel School Leaders Team
He said, “Tom for me was the grandfather that I could never have. He was a great example of humility and obedience to God. He was a person I could learn from, and I would like to be like him. The most memorable thing about him was his joy. He dedicated his whole life to being a firefighter and the rest of his life to saving others. And I really love him.”
Martha continued with her story of Tom. She said, “Tom was a teacher, and he taught me how to hear God’s voice and read God’s word. He told us no matter where you are you will hear God. And this really touched my heart. I love that he was an incredibly positive person. He was a great example of kindness, and my dream is to become such a person.”
C
hristina Shares
Christina was Tom’s translator at camp many times. She said, “It was an honor to translate for Tom. He always made jokes that it was difficult for me to translate him. But he could communicate with anyone, and often without language. He made sure it was never about himself but always about others and Jesus Christ.”
Evelyna said, “He was a teacher who could make everything simple for children, and what inspired me was how he explained what the church is. He described it as a snowman, that every person in church is like a snowflake that comes together as one. It’s simple and genius. The church is a massive home united by Jesus. He was generous, faithful, and he loved us.”
Our camp director Yana Glushko said, “The kids a
nd counselors adored him. He was our grandfather who broke the rules. We will keep sharing God’s love with these young people just as Tom did.”
Tom and his wife, Julie, sponsor families in Ukraine and support young people in following Jesus. He worked at our camps, but he also worked with Jeff to visit families and soldiers on the frontlines.
“Tom was full of faith, hope and love. When the full scale war started he showed up with bullet proof vests and helmets for us. He wanted to serve and he did. His legacy boldly lives on. I will miss you my bro.”