Last Bell Ministries

10/16/2026

Our Ukrainian directors are in INDIANA! And they're excited to see you at tomorrow's 20th Anniversary Celebration. Don't miss it!

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026
Time: 12 PM - 2 PM
Location: The Portico, College Park Church
Address: 2606 W 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46268

Details:

• Open-house style; programming with special guest speakers at 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM ~ different speakers at each time

• Light snacks in the style of Ukrainian tea-time

• Indoor/outdoor space

• The programming is aimed at adults, but children are welcome and there's a playground on-site

• Wheelchair-accessible; available seating includes chairs, benches, chairs and tables, etc.

• Last Bell's four Ukrainian directors will be with us: Andriy & Oksana Pankyeyev, Yulia Nesterenko, and Andriy Balanchuk

10/14/2026

Last week our team welcomed SIXTY new orphaned students to the Day Center!

The students had lunch together with staff mentors, played games, learned about what our staff and the Day Center have to offer, and received a gift of hygiene supplies. One young woman was so delighted with the gift that she pulled out and admired each item on the spot!

In 2026 Last Bell celebrates 20 years of making safe places for orphaned youth. And we're not done yet!

10/12/2026

Please join us on SATURDAY as we celebrate the Father's faithfulness to orphaned youth! We'll begin at 12 PM at The Portico, College Park Church, Indianapolis. We'd love to see you there!

Last Bell loves and restores orphaned youth toward life and community. Our vision is to see the end of the generational orphanage cycle in Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

10/05/2026

One of our great joys is to see orphaned youth serving God. The church that staff member Sasha (center) attends hosted a ten-day camp for children from the Donestk region impacted by war. These two young people are members of Sasha's church and volunteered at the camp.

10/05/2026

Thank you First Presbyterian for hosting our Ukrainian team on October 11th!

Join us Sunday, Oct. 11th, for a message from Andrey and Oksana Pankyeyev of Last Bell Ministries. Stay for a special fellowship hour with an informal meet-and-greet. Bring a side dish to share and learn how Last Bell Ministries has been changing orphans lives for the past twenty years.

09/26/2026

This was family camp week! These moms went on an outing to see a historic castle near the camp. On the same day, the other moms stayed back to relax in the pool. 😎

Thank you, friends, for giving toward family camp and praying for this special week. Many of these families are struggling, and we pray family camp will make a big difference in their lives year-round.

09/22/2026

From the beginning, our staff met physical needs as a natural part of relationships. As their hearts were moved in compassion for orphaned youth, they began to visit youth in the hospital and send them home with groceries and clothes. They advocated with doctors, dentists, and social services.

And for twenty years, their care brought our youth to a place of trust - including trust with their their worries and needs. An untreated, worsening medical problem. Shame and embarrassment because her teeth are full of cavities. Missed paychecks because he doesn't have the right documents. Some of these needs could only be met because our youth felt safe speaking candidly with their mentors.

Many orphaned students have said that the hands-on love of our staff opened their hearts to God! They've experienced His love in the real world.

Through Last Bell's history, God has been making safe places for orphaned youth: providing buildings, relationships, and physical care. All a part of security in Him. “For the Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble” (Nahum 1:7, NIV).

09/18/2026

This fall we're celebrating 20 years of making safe places for orphaned youth in Zhytomyr. The war began four and a half years ago - almost a quarter of Last Bell's existence.

We all appreciate your continued prayers both for our beloved city of Zhytomyr and for all of Ukraine. Innocent people are suffering in many different ways, but we know God sees and has compassion on them. "Blessed is he whose hope is in the God of Jacob... Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry..." (from Psalm 146)

Gardens are emptying, shops are shut and evacuation routes are mined as thousands remain trapped across the Dnipro from Kherson.

09/15/2026

In 2009, our staff and orphaned youth went to the seaside for a week. Our first camp!

Since then, camp has become our youth's annual experience of 24/7 care. They grow to trust our staff, allow others to grieve their hurts with them, and open their hearts to God's love. Against the backdrop of war, the quiet of camp is an even sweeter refuge.

Take a look at these joyful and contented faces at youth camp in August!

Some of what you see is the joy of hearing and believing that God made you, loves you, and wants to be your Father and the refuge of your soul. Many students chose to follow Jesus this year, and others showed new interest in church and Christianity.

“We're grateful to God for the opportunity to see Him working in the hearts of our students,” writes staff member Katya. “We're also grateful for camp. This is a special time.”

Every year we see new miracles in the lives of our students. It never gets old!