TEN Magazine May-June 2015

Magazine May – June 2015

www.transformeuropenow.org

Making dreams a reality

Testimonies of No Fear and Restoration Croatia & Turkey Updates May – June Prayer Diary

Transforming Europe – Welcome from trustees

Dear friends, Not only is 2015 the year of TEN’s Jubilee, but rather than being a ‘sabbatical, etc.’ (Leviticus 25) it is proving to be a year of considerable change in the Bristol office. In January, we said goodbye to Andy Drake who has led TEN as CEO over the last three and a half years, and we now look forward to another phase in the leadership of this ministry through Gerry Partridge.

As Gerry mentions in his welcome, he and his wife Carol have been committed supporters of TEN/Eurovangelism for many years and have visited a number of our partners and projects during that time. Gerry has been a Trustee for the last few years, but has stood down from the Board in order to take up the role of CEO. His business experience and substantial knowledge of TEN’s activities, together with his experience of church leadership, equip him to address the challenges that many Christian ministries face at the current time, not least in sourcing sufficient funds to enable us to resource and encourage our partners in the Gospel. Please pray for Gerry, and for Carol, in this new phase of his Christian service and for the staff and volunteers at this time of change.

Our forthcoming conference at Brunel Manor will be a great opportunity to acknowledge God’s hand at work through TEN/Eurovangelism over the past 50 years and to look forward eagerly to the next 50, the LORD willing. The current group of Trustees express their deep appreciation of the faithful giving and prayer support of so many of you. Together we will continue to resource ministries in continental Europe that demonstrate the great love that God has for all people and that proclaim the truth revealed in Jesus.

David Thomas

Chair of Trustees

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Transform Europe now / May – June 2015

Welcome

I

’m greatly privileged to be leading TEN into this next season and blessed to be working with so many faithful supporters and partners with a passion to make a difference to the lives of some of the neediest people across the continent of Europe.

By the time you receive this news bulletin, I will have been the CEO of TEN for two months, so relatively new in the role. My involvement in Eurovangelism/TEN, however, goes back many years, since 1979. This all started when my wife Carol and I moved to Tavistock, in Devon, and there met Gary and Liz Cox. At that time, Gary was making trips into Eastern Europe—encouraging and equipping the persecuted Christians and supporting their local projects. We were both captured by the vision of the mission, so we too went on numerous mission and humanitarian aid trips.

The European landscape—geographical, social and political—has changed dramatically since those early days. But what still remains the same is the desperate need for the transforming power of Jesus to change the lives of people and bring release to the captives. Then, it was the iron fist and injustices of communist regimes; today it is poverty, slavery and spiritual darkness.

I am reminded of the verses in Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” This is our calling to proclaim the message of freedom, through partnerships with local people who are called and anointed by God to bring release to the captives. Please join with us in this next season, as together, we proclaim the banner of freedom through Jesus.

Contents 4

A kilogram of flowers

7

You and Europe

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Prayer diary

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60 Seconds with...

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Transforming Europe – One life at a time

Bring hope this summer

May – June 2015

…Barry Mead

No Fear

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Transforming Europe – One life at a time Reformed and Restored

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What’s going on in...

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What’s going on in...

Croatia

Turkey

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Transform Europe Now 1 Holdenhurst Road, Kingswood Bristol BS15 1HL

Gerry Partridge CEO Transform Europe Now

Contact Tel: +44 (0)117 961 5161 Email: info@transformeuropenow.org Written and produced by the TEN team Design Simon Petherick Graphic and Web Design Transform Europe Now is the operating name for Eurovangelism. Registered Charity No. 1140592 and Company Limited by Guarantee No. 7507682.

Summer Hope Appeal

A Kilogram of

Flowers

Bujar is 12 years old and lives in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Bathore, Albania. In Bujar’s world there is no such thing as having toys to play with, or even a childhood; instead, he carries a heavy burden on his shoulders. All Bujar’s dreams died when his father was sent to prison.

D

uring Mission Possible’s summer camp last year, a friend was heard to ask Bujar, “How much is a kilogram of flowers?” Those who overheard were confused about the question, until the young man explained that he is now responsible for providing an income for his family, including for his father in prison. Every day, Bujar spends hours finding medicinal herbs, drying them and selling them for less than 50 pence per kilogram.

Crushed with the pain of his situation, Bujar has unwittingly become the ‘hero’ of his family. Even at the camp Bujar watches over his sister, urging her to eat as much as she can because they don’t know when

the next meal will be. It’s no surprise that Bujar admitted to those running the camp that being there was the only time he really felt happy—indeed, he said it was the best thing that had happened to him.

Every year, churches and social care organisations across Europe run summer camps for disadvantaged children, bringing a ray of hope to people like Bujar.

Each child who attends has different life circumstances—none of which a child should have to face: some will come from the streets because they don’t have a home; for others, feeling safe in the company of an adult who cares may be a new experience. For all, playing games and doing craft will be an amazing break

It’s not only the children who benefit!

Shpresa, from Bathore, tells us: “Our Dad is in Italy doing any jobs he can find, to make some money to support the five

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of us so we can have food on the table.

When I heard from some friends of mine about a library in Bathore, my instant

Transform Europe now / May – June 2015

Summer Hope Appeal

Have you ever weighed dried flowers? from the harsh reality of life; and for many, it will be the first time they have ever heard about who Jesus really is!

Every year, our partners come to TEN with requests for funds to enable them to run such a camp. It costs about £10 per child, per day, to run a summer camp, but this is never charged to the children (they don’t have the money), nor the family (if they are around, they don’t have it either).

In the TEN office, we often have to make the tough decision about how many children we can or can’t afford to sponsor.

Your support will help us reach more children and enable our partners to provide quality experiences for each child. What’s more, it may just be the breakthrough needed for a child to discover that there is indeed more to life, and that hope is within their grasp.

Just £10 can make all the difference.

If you’d like to give to the Summer Hope fund, helping to enable our European friends to run summer camps this year, please indicate W it h y ou r this on your s u p p or t, response slip.

S

Bujar (left)

Dancing!

umme r H ope ca n be come a reality !

Friends at the Summer Camp

reaction was ‘wow!’ Little did I know that a simple library registration would bring lots of beautiful things to me which would change my life… I began to feel at home with the new friends I made in the Hope Centre. They invited me to be part of the

volunteer team, to train and become a leader for the summer camp. Being part of the summer camp was one of the best experiences of my life! All it takes is a big heart to embrace Christ in our lives and everything will be possible!”

+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.transformeuropenow.org

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How much is a kilogram of flowers worth to you?

For Bujar it’s worth his livelihood. For Bujar it’s survival. For Bujar it’s a painstaking lifestyle devoid of education, fellowship and everything a 12 year old should be experiencing.

“It may just be the breakthrough needed for a child to discover that there is indeed more to life, and that hope is not just a dream.”

Sally Bertram, TEN COO

Help us turn that around by supporting the Summer Hope appeal 2015.

Just £10 can give a child the chance to enjoy at least one hot meal, thrive in creative activities and cherish being a child amongst peers.

Join with TEN, and our partners, enabling children and teens to have “one of the best experiences” of their lifetime!

If you’d like to give to the Summer Hope appeal, please indicate this on your enclosed response slip.

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7

We are aware of the constant need to take the work of TEN to God and we’re looking for Watchmen to help us with that!

Help us build a network of 100 watchmen who are willing to watch and pray for the 16 European countries and 70+ partners TEN works with— to pray for the vision, but also to listen and to warn.

We all know that prayer is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, and Europe, more than ever, needs our prayers. Please contact the office on 0117 961 5161, or email us info@transformeuropenow.org to get involved.

You and Europe

Transform Europe Now works across 16 European countries with around 70 projects, so if you or your church wishes to make a difference in Europe you don’t have to go it alone. Church partnerships, short-term teams, special church services, volunteering, targeted prayer and financial support—there’s something for everyone!

Countries we operate in include:

Our prayer for Europe: Heavenly Father, We thank You for the amazing stories of Your provision and blessings over the last few months. We thank You too for the faithfulness of TEN’s partners and supporters across Europe and how Your continued anointing is so evident on our partners working in some of the neediest places. We never cease to be amazed at Your

provision and blessing. We look to You now for this next season and especially as many are gearing up for the summer camps. We ask that this year will truly be “The year of the Lord’s favour” and that You will bring release to the captives as Your freedom is proclaimed.

Amen

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Prayer Diary

Nikola and Daniela

Kremi & Plamen

Besa

Erion & family

Mark

Dragan & Biljan

Tefik & Anita

Bera

Prayer Diary May – June 2015 May 2015 1 / Mission Possible Bulgaria (MPB): “We need prayer support for the complete healing and recovery of Iva Tsvetkova (MPB staff), diagnosed with a rare immunological disease, threatening her life.”

2 / “Please pray for the launching of our Leah Library, a book series for Christian women by Bulgarian authors.”

3 / MPB appreciate your prayers for the development of their women at risk ministry. (Bulgarian culture is slow to catch onto domestic violence.)

4 / MPB are looking for a cook to cater for the various conferences/ needs at Dobromirka. Pray for wisdom and for the right person to apply and be in place.

5 / Plamen Borisov, Bulgaria: “Please pray for more people to be saved, and become the disciples of Christ.” Pray for Plamen as he leads the local church.

6 / Praise God for all the children within the church and pray for wisdom for those enquiring about a hall which is needed (with two rooms) to cater for the growing children’s ministry.

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7 / May God continue to anoint Plamen, and wife Kremi, in their role as church leaders and as parents to their children. May their children grow in relationship with Jesus.

13 / “Pray for the Miracle Summer Clubs that it may be a time of fun and good food for the kids, but also a time of reflection as to how far each of them has walked with Jesus Christ.”

8 / Nikola Atanasov, Bulgaria: Nikola asks that we pray for some of the people he meets with, in particular, a young child who is very sick with Tuberculosis.

14 / “Pray for the work of MPA, that the Lord will provide in every situation that we may keep our programs running!”

9 / May God heal the woman with depression that Niki regularly meets with; may she only know joy and peace within her life and a deep understanding that she is a daughter of Christ.

10 / A father and husband within the village is obsessed with gambling causing difficulties for the family. May God heal him of his worldly attires and set him free with His Spirit.

15 / Pray for the safety of each person attending TEN’s 50th Anniversary conference down at Brunel Manor, Torquay (15th–17th). May it be a time of encouragement, inspiration, fellowship and an exciting launch to the next 50 years with TEN. 16 / Erion Cuni, Albania: “We are looking for hearts that will follow the Spirit of the Lord, lives changed and people going in to ministry.”

11 / Mission Possible Albania (MPA): “Pray for all the programmes and ministry, that we may help as many people as possible, through projects and partners support.”

17 / “Pray for next two months where we hope to see more worshipers, more helpers in social ministry among the poor and prisoner families and the church flow with the Holy Spirit.”

12 / “Pray for the team, our health (physical, mental and spiritual), strength and motivation.”

18 / Mark McCormick, Moldova: Mark has begun recruiting evangelistic preachers for the annual ‘missions’ taking place in Moldova during October/

Transform europe now / May – June 2015

Prayer Diary

Monika

Ronela & Mircea

Vladimir

November. Pray that the right speakers are approached and available.

19 / Mark is a mentor for TEN’s Moldovan church planters; may God continue to anoint his teaching, leadership and relationship with each pastor.

May our partners continue to grow as they teach and lead their congregations.

20 / Pray for the church planters who are beginning to teach church members how to reach their FRANKs (Friends Relatives Associates Neighbours and Kids).

May God move in miraculous ways as people reach out.

21 / Pray for Mark’s family in Ireland. Pray their family relationships will remain strong and grounded despite Mark’s travels and speaking engagements.

22 / Misa Hiorescu, Moldova: Pray Misa is able to get the drawings for a new church building in Ursoaia approved quickly so work can begin. Praise God the Mayoress has approved planning permission.

23 / Pray for the villagers in Pelinei, who have been enquiring when the church will be opening. Pray for Misa in the planning, building and welcoming newcomers through the door.

24 / TEN is attending The Big Church Day Out this weekend.

Pray for God to be present in conversations, with the team and

Slavko & Sanja

Ljiljana

Marinela (EH)

that new windows of opportunities will be open.

25 / Dragan Manev, Macedonia: Today to 31st May, Dragan’s church are concentrating on their puppet ministry; putting on evangelistic outreaches along with a few dramas, with the help of a team from Elim Keynsham, Bristol.

26 / Pray for the upcoming gypsy conference in Skopje (25th–27th June). 70+ people are expected to attend “this strategic conference for the work with gypsy people.”

27 / Pray for Dragan and Biljana, “We need breakthrough in the Spirit. Also we are praying for planting church in the cities that there is no church.” May God provide and share His wisdom.

28 / Tefik Musoski, Macedonia: “Please pray for evangelisation event that we have in Bitola and Krusevo with the Alpha course and others.”

Galina

Dominic & Viorica

June 2015 1 / Monika Mahr, CASA Grace, Romania: “Pray for wisdom to give support to equip those on training courses, mothers of children with severe disabilities, mothers/ fathers who struggle solving family problems.”

2 / Pray for the CASA Grace team “to be light and salt—more than to be good professionals we want to show the way to the only God.” 3 / Mircea & Ronela Cristian, Rock of Ages, Romania: “Pray for the work we started in Moldova; The men teams are working well, but we are praying now to be able to build women team.”

4 / There is still more work to be done in other locations, pray “to be able to open the work in Galai prison, Drobeta Turnu Severin prison, Colibasi prison, Bistria prison.”

29 / Pray for Tefik’s ongoing health, particularly his heart which is often overworked. May he be strengthened and helped with his work in and around church.

5 / Pray for Mircea and God’s healing hand to be upon his back.

With all the travelling between prisons, Mircea suffers much pain. Pray for God’s healing and provision.

30 / Dusan Beredi, Serbia: “Pray for the ongoing Alpha course which began last month. May God bring people to salvation, and anchor them in Him.”

6 / Rock of Ages reaches hundreds of prisoners each year.

Pray for the missionaries who go about the work and for each prisoner who hears the gospel.

31 / Pray for the baptism that took place this month; may it have pushed others to make a commitment in their faith.

7 / Johnny & Seigean Musat, Romania: Praise God for the work going on in Henri Coanda with street people, poor people,

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Prayer Diary

uneducated people, and people who struggle with prostitution and depression.

8 / “We want God to change lives and we want wisdom and guidance from God in every area where we are involved with children and adults work.”

9 / Pray for Johnny and Seigean as they adapt to being new parents this month. May God guide them in this new and exciting role and immensely bless this family.

10 / Evangelismo En Accion (EEA), Spain: “Pray for the pioneer work: ALORA. Pray for the missionary family’s adaption with the language and culture, and their social relationships as they wish to be accepted in that closed environment.”

11 / “Velez-Malaga: pray for the discipleship of the new believers; it’s not easy to change habits. Pray for those who have left because of family pressures, are jobless, etc.”

12 / “Malaga: Pray for Rosa (70 years old). New in the faith, she has a weekly meeting in her home.

Her testimony is reaching out so meetings are starting in other homes also.”

13 / EEA want to hold events throughout the province of Malaga. “Pray for official permits, relationships with authorities, a solid team and fruitful evangelistic sowing.”

14 / Beginning of Life, Moldova: “We are looking at ways to build the craft-making business, to enable more at-risk women employment. Pray that God will guide our planning and provide.”

15 / “Pray for the 12 women who are in the human-trafficking rehabilitation programme. Pray

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God gives them the strength needed to make lifesaving changes and build a stable, sustainable future.”

16 / Pray for those who attended May’s conference for combating human trafficking; may those present continue to push legislation and fight against trafficking.

17 / Slavko Hadzic, Bosnia: “Pray for our regular activities: Sunday services, home groups, teen work, humanitarian work, health clinic and for all those who receive love and care through us.”

18 / Bosnia’s Regional Men’s Conference (18th–21st June) is expecting 300 participants.

Slavko is one of the speakers and in charge of administration.

Pray for his leadership, talks and preparation.

19 / Pray for the street evangelism that will take place throughout the summer.

May people be open to being approached and truly hear the gospel message.

20 / At the beginning of June, Slavko led two workshops on evangelism at the European Leadership Forum. Pray for those who attended that they will have been inspired by Slavko’s teaching and answer God’s call.

21 / Ljiljana Banicek, Bosnia: “We have a children’s camp from 15th–18th June and a youth camp from 18th–21st June. Pray for the children and youth that they hear the gospel message.”

22 / Flood victims: “we continue to work with those affected by floods. Pray for our effectiveness and that God will use our ministry to draw them closer to Himself.

Transform europe now / May – June 2015

23 / Marinela Murg, Emanuel Hospice, Romania: “Pray for the grieving children. Pray the Lord will send His Spirit to all the kids who are grieving. Pray they rely on His tender mercy and fatherly love.”

24 / Volunteers will be flooding into the TEN Office this morning to help ‘stuff’ July-August magazines.

Praise God for each volunteer and pray for this magazine to have a strong impact upon its readers!

25 / “In June we celebrate International Children’s Day. We will do lots of fun activities and games. Pray for God’s blessings and protection.”

26 / “Pray for God’s blessings upon the marriage of Ms. Daria Sass (psychologist) with Mr. Ciprian Barna (7th). May the Lord bless their life together with the abundance of His amazing love.”

27 / Galina Dzhuzenova, The Compassion Ministry, Russia: “Please pray for the situation in Eastern Ukraine. We continue to help to the refugees in project ‘Word of God to people in trouble’.”

28 / Continue to pray for the Sisters of Mercy who meet with those in hospital. May the words of their mouths bless His name and bless those they comfort.

29 / Viorica Tataru, Greece: Please, pray for Nea Zoi team retreat that will take place in June. Pray for new strength and refreshment for us all.

30 / Please pray for the ‘Threads of Hope’ ministry to grow and continue to provide a work place with dignity for trafficked survivors.

Love praying? Be a Watchman.

See page six for more details.

Church Partnerships – An inside look

60 Seconds with…

I

Barry Mead

first became aware of Eurovangelism when, as a new Christian in the 60’s, I regularly passed their offices taking lunchtime walks. I often wondered what they did and eventually popped in to find out!

Caring about Mission in Europe rang a bell for me—I had not heard of organisations before which were doing anything about the needs of my continent.

So I started supporting them and have done ever since. Apart from the European focus, other factors which drew me in were: • They achieve an enormous amount with few staff, in modest premises.

• The wonderful balance between practical and spiritual support.

When the Harvest for the Hungry project was launched, our church in Nailsea got involved. In our first year we produced 85 boxes of food, which quickly grew to over 10 tons over the years (2nd highest achieved by any group!).

In 2004, four of us were given the privilege of going to Romania to see what

happened to the food boxes at the other end; this was a visit I will never forget. I had no idea there was so much poverty and desperate need in my own continent.

When the project changed to send finances for food, I had the idea of asking if anyone at church would be interested in an occasional curry. In no time at all, I had a membership of 45! From the beginning of the “HT Curry Club” (not an abbreviation for HOT as in some curries, but for Holy Trinity, the name of our church!), I decided that if we were going to enjoy ourselves eating, we ought to do something to help the people I had met. Every time we had a meal out, we passed a bag around for a (voluntary) contribution of £1 each, which we gave to help the work in Romania. By 2011 we had already raised over £400, and this continues today!

I thank the Lord Jesus for the wonderful and much-needed work that TEN does in a part of the world that is often neglected, and pray for His blessing on their future.

2003 Harvest for the Hungry (Barry Mead: top-right)

The ‘HT Curry Club’

Barry Mead, Holy Trinity Church, Nailsea

+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.transformeuropenow.org

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Transforming Europe – One life at a time

No Fear Helena Mogus moved to Vukovar in 1998, called to this war-torn town to spread the Good News. More recently, Helena and her husband, Tomi, have planted a church in the nearby village of Ilaca; they have also set up a drug rehabilitation centre.

I

n 1998 I came to Vukovar together with my friend. This was the first time I ever visited this town. During the fierce war in 1991, Vukovar was completely destroyed; seven years later, there were ruins everywhere, unexploded grenades and lots of unmarked mine fields, some of which are still present. Here and there a repaired house would stand in the midst of the pain of broken dreams.

There wasn’t much left of this once beautiful town. After 9pm there was nobody on the streets; it looked like a ghost town. Young people were confused about why I had come! I meant to come just for the summer, but I realised I could live here. In some strange yet simple way this town preoccupied my heart. Slowly I got to know people, sharing their hurts, giving them what God gave me to enrich them.

God was working both on them and me.

I rented a room in a big house, still damaged from the war and I was the sole resident. Many people were in fear

This story can be found in Tenacious, along with 99 other incredible testimonies of God’s amazing love. transformeuropenow.org/tenacious

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Tomi and Helena

for me. I myself was a bit afraid—the evidence of war was everywhere, and I was surrounded by people of a different nationality (those who were against Croatia during the war). One day God clearly spoke to my heart through His Word: “Have no fear, but speak and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no man shall assault you to harm you, for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9b–10).

This was an amazing encouragement that gave me strength and continues to.

Many people have already heard the Word here and I know that many more need to hear it. God was opening doors in amazing ways and was acting in the hearts of many people. “…My word that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void” (Isaiah 55:11).

Transform Europe now / May – June 2015

Transforming Europe – One life at a time

Reformed and

Restored Ten years on, heroin had left me like many other addicts: broken, lonely, depressed and without any desire to change. My family wanted nothing to do with me and I did not care for them. There was no limit to the pain I could cause others. I had only one thing in mind, 24 hours a day: how to get my dose.

M

iraculously, I found myself in the Rainbow Rehabilitation Centre over two years ago. I saw others free and changed, but had no hope for myself.

I did not believe in God. Not the way I heard others talk about Him. Slowly that started to change, and today, I am a 100% different person thanks to Jesus Christ who is my Saviour. He took the desire for drugs away and gave me new heart, hope and destiny.

“

“

God is using ex-drug addicts to help people and tell them about Jesus

Without any family or friends visiting me during my time in the program, I started to pray for them and had a great desire to tell them about the change in my life. One day, just before Christmas, I sat down and wrote to my Dad. I kept writing and finally sealed the eight page letter, which I sent with my prayers hoping he would read it. A few days later a letter came back. I was sure he returned my

letter not wanting to read it. I was wrong.

He did read it and wrote back!

A couple months later, the 2014 floods devastated my home town where my family was living. Mercifully, I was able to call my Dad and through leadership connections at the Centre, special arrangements were made so Dad remained fed and looked after.

Today I am back in Obrenovac, with a team from the Centre helping flood victims; giving food, clothes, furniture and words of hope. People know me here, they know who I was and cannot believe who I am today. God is using ex-drug addicts to help people and tell them about Jesus.

What a change!

Veljko delivering food parcels

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What’s going on in...

...Croatia

S

andwiched between Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Hungary, Croatia is a beautiful country that sits on the Adriatic Sea; a fast upcoming holiday resort for tourists.

Croatia joined the European Union only two years ago (1st July 2013), two decades after its brutal war on independence. Joining the EU has not come without its challenges. Businesses which originally invested in Croatia due to its cheaper economy are now taking their businesses elsewhere, away from EU prices; this is having an obvious negative effect on employment.

Antun and Marija Koprivnjak have been

working in Croatia for 16 years, focusing most of their time around the city of Vukovar—a city heavily destroyed in the War of Independence.

As well as pastoring a church, Antun and Marija are heavily involved with humanitarian work, prison ministry, women’s ministry, publishing ministry and reaching out to Roma.

2014 saw the publication of ‘God in the midst of Roma people’, which is a collection of testimonies from the Roma people.

Despite his inability to get out regularly, Antun daily spends hours in prayer, praying against Croatia becoming a stronghold for Islam, a real threat with Sarajevo (Bosnia) just

below the border.

Two other church planters are Tomislav and Helena Mogus (mentioned on page 12).

Tomi is eager to begin a carpentry business, “the next generation of leaders will need to penetrate the hearts and lives of people in creative ways … seeing ministry leaders as more than ‘church workers’.”

Meanwhile, Daniel and Eva Mrsic, accompanied

by Ico Matulic, are leading the ‘Good News’ evangelical church in Split, busily preparing for their upcoming summer camps.

Please continue to pray for our Croatian church planters and those they minister to.

“…even though He could do it all Himself, He often works through people, and that’s why we are thanking you for all your sincere interest and generous support for us and our ministry.”

Antun & Marija Koprivnjak Antun & Marija Koprivnjak

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Antun’s church in Darda

Transform europe now / May – June 2015

What’s going on in...

...Turkey

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014 saw 30 cities across Turkey hit the news regarding riots relating to the terror ISIS was inflicting in Syria.

As you scroll down through the Turkish BBC news today, Islamic State Syria remains a repetitive theme with lost individuals from the UK entering Syria through Turkish borders.

“No news is good news” especially when portrayed by the media, but to this day, Turkey consistently headlines many UK newspapers.

Despite everything, great things are happening in Turkey—one life at a time. 96% Muslim, Turkey is one of the world’s most overlooked unevangelised countries (7,267 evangelicals of 75.7 million). But it’s not without hope. With servant-hearted men like Metin Mintaz on the ground, God is at work amongst His people.

Metin continues to travel hundreds of miles at a time to support the stand-alone

Christians in their location.

Although Metin’s church remains stable, and has the general support of their local government, to proclaim your faith openly in Turkey continues to be very dangerous and is a daily reality for the individuals Metin meets with.

Turkey needs your prayers. Please continue to pray for Metin and his church. They have had to meet occasionally at the office rather than the church due to protests taking place. Pray for God’s protection around them and His anointing upon their ministry.

“It is a big step for people in these cities to meet a believer, and it certainly involves risk for some…”

Bordered with Syria, the influx of refugees has also meant that employment has become a problem for the Turks, as refugees will take any job going despite the low wages offered. This in turn, has a negative impact on church planting—individuals who are perhaps willing to move and begin slowly building a church are unable to do so for lack of work to sustain themselves.

Metin Mintaz

“We do not want to act in haste, yet we do not want to be afraid to move forward if God is opening doors for us.”

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Book your TEN Speaker for Harvest for the Hungry NOW Harvest seems a long way away, but not for those who wait an entire year for it to come around!

TEN has put together a great harvest service that we would love to come and share with your church. Whether you want to hold a traditional harvest service or want to get people thinking about the reality for those living in poverty, TEN is the charity to support this harvest time!

Alternatively, TEN has put together a superb, free resource which accommodates the whole church in its range of materials, which will help you focus on those in our continent who are less fortunate.

To book your Harvest speaker or to pre-order your free H4TH pack call 0117 9615161 or email info@transformeuropenow.org

THE AVERAGE PERSON LIVES FOR 3,900 WEEKS. SO WHAT ABOUT SPENDING ONE OF YOURS TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

TEN TEAMS. TRANSFORMING THE WORLD ONE LIFE AT A TIME.

transformeuropenow.org/go