Nataliia Puzynin is a youth group co-leader in Austria.
When did you trust Christ?
I was with my family at a Christian family camp, and my friends were also there. My parents were attending seminars while we were playing. Someone suggested going to the sea to jump in the waves because there was a storm. Two girls knew how to swim, but I didn't really. It was fun, but at some point, we started getting pulled towards the rocks. I realized I couldn't swim out and thought, "God, if you exist, save me."Miraculously, a person appeared from somewhere and pulled us to the other shore. I never saw that person again because he disappeared. To me, it remains a miracle, as if an angel saved me.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
I had a mentor who guided me from the preparation for baptism until I had to leave Ukraine because of the war. Together, we prayed, read, and studied the Bible (using both inductive methods and others). We attended various seminars together. We were also involved in the same ministry, where we participated in sessions. This mentorship significantly impacted my spiritual growth and faith. Now I am in Austria, far from home, but thanks to the experience I had, I can also serve God with the gifts and abilities that He has given me.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I would love to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ and become more spiritually mature. I want to learn new tools that will help me study the Bible better and teach it in a clear and meaningful way—both in one-on-one conversations and in group settings. I also hope to grow in confidence and wisdom so I can serve others well and reflect Jesus more in my daily life. I desire to become a better servant for Christ, to keep growing in faith, character, and leadership, and to be transformed more and more into the image of Christ. I especially want to become more equipped for mentoring young women, walking alongside them in their spiritual journey, and encouraging them to know and love God more deeply.
What is your ministry?
I am one of the organizers of the youth group at an evangelical church in Vienna. My husband is the leader of the group, and I support him by helping with the kitchen duties and organising games. I also lead meetings for girls, have one-on-one conversations with them, prepare them for baptism, or, if they have been walking with God for many years, help them deepen their faith and continue their spiritual growth. We also have a separate ministry for girls where we gather to talk, share, and pray—this helps build trust and gives us the chance to invite them to join our main youth meetings. In addition, I teach in Sunday school, where I enjoy helping younger children learn about God and the Bible in a way they can understand
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Youth are the future of the church, and I am passionate about seeing young men and women grow deeper in their faith and discover their true identity in Christ. In our youth ministry, we actively reach out to those who don't know Christ, organising events to build personal relationships and inviting them to our youth groups, where we observe how God does His work in their hearts. Witnessing them commit their lives to Jesus and getting baptised is one of the most rewarding experiences
