Transform Europe Now | Magazine – Winter 2012

MAGAZINE Winter 2012

www.transformeuropenow.org

WHERE HAS GOD CALLED

THE FORGOTTEN FRONTLINE THE DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE LATEST PRAYER DIARY

Young family living in poverty in Moldova. See pages 6 & 7

YOU?

EUROPE TODAY: 85,000,000 PEOPLE WITHOUT A TOILET IN THEIR HOME

2.5% EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS

1 IN 5 EUROPEANS LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE

100% UNEMPLOYMENT IN MANY CONGREGATIONS

THE LOWEST CHURCH GROWTH RATE OF ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

SALARIES CAN BE 10% OF THEIR UK EQUIVALENT, WHILST FUEL AND FOOD COSTS ARE THE SAME OR OFTEN HIGHER

THIS IS WHY WE BELIEVE GOD WANTS TO

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW

WELCOME

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continent of incredible need, recent research indicates that as many as 250,000 towns, villages and cities across Europe are without an evangelical church. That means nobody to share the gospel and represent the love of God. And alongside the spiritual crisis there exists material deprivation too.

Villages with 100% unemployment; one in five children at risk of child poverty; the vulnerable starving, freezing and dying this winter time.

Yet Europe seems to be our forgotten neighbour, with so many Christians either uninformed or disinterested about the plight. Many good mission agencies are completely devoid of Europe on their radar, whilst many churches support mission only either close to home or very far away. It shouldn’t be this way.

The most popular verse of the bible, John 3:16, is rightfully so because it resounds with the heart cry of God. Put simply, God doesn’t leave us the way He finds us. We aren’t ‘written off’ and abandoned. Instead He makes a plan for change, for transformation, which every human being on the planet is invited to join.

Our partners are involved in dozens and dozens of church plants, relief centres, education projects and care initiatives. Every person they touch, and every life given to Christ, is a part of the transformed Europe I believe God longs to see, for this is how He has always planned to change the world: one life at a time.

So I commend Transform Europe Now to you not just as a new name, but rather three words that reveal God’s heart cry for our continent. I pray that this great cause will sweep through the lives and imaginations of Christians across the UK and so enable and empower a new wave of transformation.

And may God in His great power, wisdom and love transform us too. Thank you for all your support and encouragement.

Every Blessing,

CONTENTS 4

CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – ROMANIA The forgotten frontline

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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – MOLDOVA

Moldova – The difference that makes the difference

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YOU AND EUROPE

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PRAYER DIARY

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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK

Where has God called you?

December 2012 – February 2013

60 Seconds with Vance Golomeov and Tom Harflett

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LATEST UPDATES

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TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME

News and updates from projects across Europe

Petrica’s story

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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – ROMANIA Point of View

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW 1 Holdenhurst Road, Kingswood Bristol BS15 1HL

CONTACT Tel: +44 (0)117 961 5161 Fax: +44 (0)117 935 2127 Email: info@transformeuropenow.org EDITORIAL TEAM Andy Drake Sally Bertram

Andy Drake CEO Transform Europe Now

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TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW IS THE OPRegistered Charity in England & Wales No. 1140592.

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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – ROMANIA

THE FORGOTTEN

FRONTLINE The sight of a burnt-down church is hard to take.

The sight of its devastated pastor, even harder.

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his is Mangalia in the province of Constanta, Romania, where trial and heartache are everyday experiences for the few Christians in the region. For Pastor Doril, the determination on his face matches the defiant resolve of his actions – right now the church is being rebuilt whilst meetings continue in the basement that was spared.

The vandals who committed the arson have never been found, but are indicative of the antagonism that exists against Christians. It is, after all, only seven hours drive from Istanbul, a fact reinforced by the intense mosque building going on in the local towns and villages.

50 miles away in the town of Medgidia, Pastor Beni contends with Islamic prayers

Main picture: A new church building project in the area.

Inset: Constanta Province is right on the Black Sea, on the southeastern tip of Romania.

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TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – ROMANIA

broadcast at the time he preaches every Sunday. The mosque has been built right next door to his church, its minaret rising above the surrounding area. Nevertheless, Pastor Beni is engaged in an exciting church planting initiative of his own, and has a vision for seeing the entire area reached.

In fact, this vision is shared amongst an inspiring network of leaders across the whole region. Hardship has bred fellowship, and out of this a plan to see 50 new churches planted across the region within the next 10 years. This isn’t just rhetoric either; they have already planted dozens of new churches and have a well laid out strategy that won’t rest until every town and village has its own place of worship.

The challenges are many: aggression from other religious factions; crippling poverty and unemployment; violence and arson; a need for quality leaders, to name but a few.

Traian and Elena Pascalau, two of our dearly loved and long held partners who lead a church in Constanta City, sum up the resolve that will see this vision through: “Constanta is a beautiful place, but not an easy place to do church. Half a million

people live in the city alone and under 1,000 are born again Christians. Many people run away after a few years; it is a hard place to work in. But when we look around us we see many, many people that still need to hear the Gospel, and how can they hear if we will not speak loud enough?

There is much need—from material poverty to an even deeper spiritual poverty. But there is hope, because God is at work” These wonderful Christians are on a frontline, battling in a spiritual wilderness that is, in effect, the forgotten frontline of Europe. Within a generation they have the chance to transform the spiritual landscape in this crucially strategic region. When I asked them how we could help, their response was heartwarming. Repeatedly what they asked for was for teams to go out to see them, for churches to partner with them, and for the vision to be shared.

And I knew what they meant. All kinds of hardship can be endured if it doesn’t feel like you are enduring it alone. Fellowship, something I believe they are an object lesson in, is life and breath in the difficult work of kingdom growth.

So now we are on the lookout for churches to partner with them! And if they want to plant 50 in the next 10 years, we had better get started… If you think your church could partner with us in this way, please phone us!

Andy Drake

Adrian (right), recently baptised in Constanta.

Veronica and her granddaughter are cared for by the local church.

Within a generation they have the chance to transform the spiritual landscape in this crucially strategic region

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

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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – MOLDOVA

THE DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE In 2005 there were no iPhones and no electric cars. We had a cause that had been shouting about Europe for 40 years, but as happens in life, a sense of something new was in the air.

A new relationship was forming, and at that time we had no idea where it would take us…

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ark McCormick, a missionary leading a church in the south of Moldova, had been given our contact details, so during his summer break in the UK we went off to meet him. We had no other contacts in Moldova at this time and hearing of the poverty the country faced, we were glad to be able to send funds for food aid that autumn through our Harvest for the Hungry project.

The next year, our Director at the time, Dave Roderick, again met up with Mark in a motorway service station and told him, “We try to help resource any ministry that will further the work of church growing and planting in Europe”. Mark stored this piece of information in his head, and returned to Moldova to continue the work.

In 2007 Mark was at one of the monthly meetings of pastors in the south of Moldova, when he bumped into Andrei. Mark had known Andrei for some time and realised he looked depressed, so he got chatting with him. Andrei shared some news that took Mark by surprise—he was about to sign a four year contract to go to Canada to work: two years to pay off the debts he was in, and two years to support him in his work at the church going forwards. Mark jumped into action, knowing that it would be catastrophic for the church in Andrei’s village of Burlacu to lose its leader for four 6

years. He found funds to pay off the debt, and he remembered the words he had heard at the service station the previous year.

When Mark got in touch with us about the situation, we responded immediately and sent funds for Andrei that would enable him to support his family and remain in Burlacu, leading the church he had felt God calling him to. We then found an amazing church fellowship in Bristol who were willing to partner with Andrei going forwards, providing a monthly salary and developing an encouraging relationship that continues today!

But what’s more, supporting that one

Today Mark is supporting 14 churches across southern Moldova, through a variety of individuals and churches in the UK. church soon caused change both in Moldova and for us. Until that moment, Mark had not been involved in church planting around the region, other than the church he was already leading and its church plant in a nearby village. Mark was now aware of the desperate need some of these young men were in, struggling financially to remain with their families in their villages. As Mark began

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – MOLDOVA

talking with other church leaders, time and time again he would discover men who were in a similar situation to Andrei.

And here at the offices in Bristol, a new cause was becoming clear to us. A cause that meant not only young men in Moldova being released to flourish in their God-given callings without the financial stress; but that also saw churches here in the UK being re-excited and envisioned about mission, as they got involved in new dynamic partnerships.

Today Mark is supporting 14 churches across southern Moldova, through a variety of individuals and churches in the UK. It’s so exciting to be involved in this, and to see how churches are building relationships with their partner that really do motivate

both. It doesn’t stop with the money: emails, prayers, Skype calls and even visits are now regularly crossing the continent as people are built up and faith is grown.

In 2012, there are probably still no electric cars in Moldova, but there are a network of partners spanning across the south of the country bringing change to the nation—church workers who have been there all along doing their thing. God was already at work, we just had the privilege to jump on board!

Together we have been able to provide ‘the difference that makes the difference’— and how inspiring it is to know that God can use a word, an action, a time and a place to bring lasting transformation cascading into people’s lives!

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1. Mark McCormick with his family. 2. Andrei with his family. 3. Church leaders’ training day.

4. The elderly appreciate visits from church leaders. 5. The next generation…

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

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YOU AND EUROPE

WHERE HAS GOD CALLED YOU? You don’t have to travel to be a missionary, you just have to care.

Acts 1:8 reads, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

For those of us living in the UK, ‘Jerusalem’ is our home town or city, ‘Judea’ is the UK, ‘Samaria’ is Europe, and the ‘ends of the earth’ is the rest of the world.

Transform Europe Now works across 15 European countries in over 50 projects. If you or your church wishes to make a difference in Europe then 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, and we’d love to help you attain your mission aspirations.

Check out www.transformeuropenow.org for more details!

Countries we operate in include:

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TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

PRAYER DIARY

PRAYER DIARY

DECEMBER 2012 – FEBRUARY 2013 DECEMBER 2012 1 / Slavoljub and Snezana Randjelovic, Lebane, Serbia are running a marriage enrichment course in their church. Pray for encouragement for the couples taking part.

2 / Pray today about up-andcoming leaders in Lebane. Ask God to equip and raise up leaders for the future. Pray that the youth leader training next month will inspire those attending.

3 / This week in Skopje, Macedonia there will be preaching seminars for people from Bosnia and Macedonia. Slavko Hadzic is helping with the organising and teaching. Pray for safe travel for all and that people will be inspired.

4 / This month we plan to proofread ‘TENacious’, an exciting new devotional book about all that God has done and is doing across Europe. Pray for God’s guidance, so it can make a great impact on those who read it. Pray for Andy Drake as he begins a trip visiting several partners until 9th.

5 / Today Andy is at Emanuel University, Romania discussing an opportunity to support a project promoting godly attitudes in business. Sally Bertram and ambassador Rachel Lee are visiting church planters in Moldova and helping with Harvest food distribution.

6 / Pray for Andy’s visits to CASA Grace and Emanuel Hospice. Pray he will bring encouragement and fresh vision.

7 / As Andy spends time with partners in Serbia, pray he will quickly grasp hold of the needs and bring encouragement.

8 / Danny and Vera Kuranji, Novi Sad, Serbia. Their drug rehabilitation work needed extra space so they have opened a mini farm, providing work and produce for those in rehab; pray that this helps foster self-worth.

9 / Pray today for those who choose to leave the rehab programme before completion.

Ask God to protect them.

10 / Pray for Novi Sad Christian Fellowship’s hospice team, who make such a difference to those struggling with illness alone and afraid. Pray for Tereza, dependent on others since a stroke, as her husband has to work.

11 / Thousands heard Nick Vujicic recently in Novi Sad and Belgrade.

Pray that those who were moved by his words will pursue God and open their hearts to Him. 12 / Zoli and Tanja Vegel, Sombor, Serbia. Pray for guidance as they consider developing a community centre to provide a meeting point and facilities for children and sports.

13 / Zoli and Tanja would like to raise the profile of their church in the community. Pray for this to happen and for many to be drawn to Christ through this.

the house and would like to build a children’s playground there.

Pray for the funding and helpers for this.

15 / Pray for the leadership team at Sombor as they seek God and ways to make Him known.

16 / As the Christmas holiday approaches, pray for the busy office staff in Bristol, that they will be able to complete everything that needs to be done before the holiday and will enjoy a relaxing break that will prepare them for the challenges of the new year.

17 / Nesa and Vesna Radeka, Novi Sad, Serbia helped at the SOZO Festival this summer. SOZO saw evangelical churches in Novi Sad working together, and also with city officials. Give thanks for these developments and pray for continuing unity.

18 / In Nesa and Vesna’s words SOZO’s purpose is to inspire “unity in the Body of Christ across nations, generations and denominations through worship and workshops….” Pray for the young people who attended.

19 / Pray for Nexus Church and their plans for the future to build upon the results of these largescale events in Novi Sad. 20 / Pray for 14 year old Ana, who was baptized in the Danube River during SOZO. Ask God to help Ana in her walk with Him.

14 / Tanja has been developing links with a safe house for women.

They collect clothing for women at

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

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PRAYER DIARY

Slavoljub

Danny & Vera

21 / Pray today for those we work with across Europe as they prepare for Christmas. Ask God to inspire them as they seek to draw people to hear about Him. 22 / Slavko Hadzic, Sarajevo, Bosnia. Slavko’s church will be sharing the gospel through a puppet show in the run-up to Christmas. Pray that many will be touched by the good news, and will take and read the Bibles and literature given out.

23 / Pray that through Christmas events, such as the Circle of Women ladies’ meeting at Slavko’s church, there will be people who come to know Jesus.

24 / Give thanks for all those who are new Christians across Europe.

Pray that this Christmas time will be very special for them and be a huge encouragement to them in their new faith.

25 / Celebrate the birth of Jesus and all that this has meant to so many of us, both in the UK and in Europe.

26 / Pray for rest and refreshment for church leaders across Europe as they spend time with families and friends.

27 / Peter and Lynne Yeoman, Malbork, Poland. Pray for Lynne’s friend Monika and her husband who have started attending church. Pray they may have a revelation of Jesus as their personal saviour.

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Zoli

Nesa

Slavko

28 / Ask God to give Peter and Lynne wisdom as they help train and equip future leaders. Pray too for Daniel, a young man from Malbork spending a year at a school of ministry in Wales. This is a big step of faith so ask God to supply Daniel’s needs and to show what He can do through someone who is open to Him. 29 / Pray for the Malbork church’s contacts with a prayer group in nearby Sztum. The Malbork church wants to help and encourage this group; ask God to give them sensitivity as they do this.

30 / The Malbork fellowship are looking into the possibility of using an old Lutheran church to hold a Pentecost celebration meeting next spring. Please join them in bringing these plans before God. 31 / Give thanks for the many lives that have been changed by Christ throughout this past year.

JANUARY 2013 1 / At the start of this New Year let us give thanks for God’s faithfulness and commit this coming year and all that it will bring to Him. 2 / Andy Drake is at the European Consultation on Mission in Gloucester. Ask God to use Andy to inspire many as he talks about the relevance of European mission today.

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

Peter & Lynne

Elena & Traian Ronela & Mircea

3 / Pray that Andy will have many opportunities in Gloucester to talk about our work in Europe and to encourage people to want to get involved.

4 / Traian and Elena Pascalau, Constanta, Romania hope to be able to begin the construction of a building for one of their church plants. Pray this building work will begin without any problems or delays.

5 / Pray for safety for all those involved in this new building work.

6 / Pray that this new building will attract a lot of interest and cause people to want to find out more about Jesus.

7 / Christmas Day is celebrated today in the countries in which many of our partners live. Pray that church meetings held today will clearly tell people the good news about Jesus.

8 / Remember today the work of Heart to Heart in Constanta, a much-needed drop-in centre with food and warmth for the many elderly struggling through the winter. Ask God to provide the food and finances needed.

9 / Pray for those who attend the Bible study group at Heart to Heart. Ask God to show Himself in a personal way to people as they study His word.

10 / Project Romanian Rescue, Constanta, Romania. PRR now have their own day centre in

PRAYER DIARY

Marinela

Monika

Besa

Constanta. Pray they may be able to use this centre to draw many to Christ, in ways beyond anything they could hope or imagine.

11 / Pray that those who give regularly to PRR will multiply, making it easier to plan the use of resources for future work.

12 / Pray that the PRR website will inspire many to want to support their work and stand alongside them financially and prayerfully.

13 / Sally Bertram is speaking at the Mission Day at Holy Trinity Church, Nailsea.

Metin

Artur

staff so they can give good help and support.

18 / In September the hospice held the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building, which will mean more people can receive help and support. Give thanks for this prospect and ask God to continue to supply all that is needed to see this work through to completion.

19 / Give thanks for the way in which the new hospice building has received support from many within Oradea, and pray that this enthusiastic support will continue.

14 / Rock of Ages, Constanta, Romania. Pray today for leaders Mircea and Ronela Cristian as they follow God’s call to extend their ministry beyond Romania. Pray for wisdom in balancing this with the needs of the work in Romania.

20 / Please pray for Andy Drake, speaking today at Strouden Park Chapel, Bournemouth.

15 / Pray for the many Rock of Ages volunteers who visit people in prison. Ask God to give them patience and a great love for each person, to enable that person to know they are valued by God.

22 / Please pray today for safety for the hospice staff who visit patients in their own homes.

16 / Pray for ongoing finances needed to fund Rock of Ages’ trips taking children to visit mothers in prison. Pray that these visits will help maintain bonds between mothers and children.

17 / Emanuel Hospice, Oradea, Romania. Last year the hospice team made visits to bereaved adults and children. Ask God to strengthen and encourage the

Vance

21 / Pray for Marinela and Damaris who oversee the hospice fundraising strategy.

23 / TEN team members are at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Bristol today and tomorrow. Pray for lots of conversations, lots of new contacts and ultimately more supporters for our work in Europe.

24 / CASA Grace, Oradea, Romania. Pray for Monika Mahr as she oversees the work of CASA Grace. Pray for wisdom as she juggles management, fundraising and future planning for CASA.

Mirco

Tefik

25 / One of CASA’s buildings, that used to be the home for single mums, was burnt down by arsonists in 2012; pray that the team will be able to restore and make use of this building.

26 / Pray for the finances for CASA Grace to continue – it’s difficult to raise funds within Romania because CASA work a lot with the Roma people, whom many are prejudiced against.

27 / Please pray for wisdom and endurance for the team at CASA Grace as they seek to advocate for those most in need in Oradea and the surrounding Bihor County.

28 / Pray that Monika’s time with us at conference in May will be an encouragement to her and will inspire many more to want to support the work of CASA Grace.

29 / Mission Possible, Albania Children’s magazine ‘Miracle’ is now 19 years old. Pray that God will use ‘Miracle’ to give good ‘spiritual food’ to many children in the year ahead.

30 / Pray for the team who put ‘Miracle’ magazine together. Ask God to inspire them throughout this year.

31 / It is hoped that a prayer meeting can be held each Friday in the Hope Centre in Bathore, Albania, for everyone in the community. Pray for this meeting and ask God to encourage many to attend.

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PRAYER DIARY

FEBRUARY 2013 1 / Metin Mintaz, Uskudar Church, Turkey. Give thanks for the new links established between one of our supporters and the church in Uskudar. Pray that these links will be strong and fruitful.

2 / Pray for those who have recently stepped up to take on new responsibilities in the Uskudar church. Ask God to help the church leadership encourage and equip them for their new roles.

3 / The Uskudar church is often used to provide somewhere to stay for those who need it. The church would value prayers as they care for people needing help in getting their lives sorted out.

They are also concerned that the conditions for living there are met. Please pray for wisdom for balancing these concerns.

4 / Pray for wisdom for Sally Bertram, visiting The Lar in Portugal from 4th-6th, an organisation that runs a children’s home and an elderly people’s home. Ask God that she may be an encouragement to them as she meets and discusses future plans.

5 / Pray for Metin as he leads the Uskudar church. Ask God to give him wisdom and encouragement.

Pray too that God will give those in leadership vision for future projects and planning.

6 / Pray that the number of partnerships between UK and European churches will multiply greatly this year.

7 / Eurovangelism’s Board of Trustees meets today. Pray for God’s guidance as plans for the future are discussed.

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8 / Evangelismo en Accion (EEA), Spain. Give thanks that EEA were able to give practical help to those in Alora so badly affected by recent flooding.

19 / Vance Golomeov, Stip, Macedonia. Praise God for the encouragement Vance has received through his church being linked up with Tom in Frome.

9 / Pray for the ongoing help being provided in Alora, for good organisation of volunteers and for the funds needed.

20 / Pray today for good health and strength for Vance, Tanja and their family.

10 / Pray for God to use Andy Drake today as he preaches at Southfield Church, Nailsea.

11 / Pray that the help provided

by EEA will cause many in Alora to think again about what they know of God. 12 / Ask God to use all that has happened in recent months to bring positive results in this town.

13 / Pray for God’s wisdom for EEA as they oversee this practical work for those in need.

14 / Artur Krasniqi, Pristina, Kosovo. Ask God to guide Artur’s church as they work to reach out to the Roma, who have so many needs.

15 / Pray that the church will fulfil their vision of planting five new churches by 2015.

16 / Artur and his church value prayer support—pray that many who hear about their work with Roma will pray for them daily.

17 / Many Roma cannot read or write. Ask God to link up local Christians with Roma so that this can be changed. Pray too about the possibility of a centre for Roma education being started.

18 / Pray that the support Blerim needs will be provided quickly so he can put all his efforts into his work with the Roma community.

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

21 / Ask God to give Vance the patience and perseverance he needs in his work with ex-drug addicts.

22 / Mirco Andreev, Skopje Evangelical Church, Macedonia.

Pray today for good health for Mirco and Nada Andreev; Mirco has struggled with some health concerns with his legs this year.

23 / Mirco would love to see more Christians in Skopje opening up their homes to friends and neighbours so that they can share about Jesus. Pray that more people will take this challenge on.

24 / Pray for all those who decided to follow Jesus after doing an Alpha course this year.

25 / Tefik Musoski, Bitola, Macedonia. Pray for God’s clear guidance and encouragement for Tefik as he oversees the Roma church in Bitola.

26 / Pray today for Tefik , Anita and their children. Ask God to give them encouragement and new opportunities for fellowship.

27 / Pray that a church in the UK will want to join in partnership with Tefik’s church in Bitola.

28 / Thank God for the funds provided through our Gift Guide to complete the church building, and pray that it will be infused with God’s presence so that all who enter it will encounter Him.

CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK...

60 SECONDS WITH… VANCE GOLOMEOV AND TOM HARFLETT Briefly describe yourself.

Vance: My name is Vance Golomeov. I am believer from 1993 and Tanja is my wife. I work in the church. I am in the church every day, and many young guys come (ex-drug addicts); I help them learn more from the Bible and live a good life.

Tom: I am Tom Harflett, married to Helen and living in Frome, Somerset. I have my own business restoring antique furniture.

We attend a local Anglican Church where I am a lay reader.

How has this partnership developed?

Vance: The first time I heard about Tom was through Pastor Mirco. They came to visit us and came to our home and we have good time. Now we are good friends. We are very happy when we talk by phone or by Skype.

Tom: We visited Macedonia with Sally almost five years ago when we met Vance and Tanja, and spent time with them and the church. We then started supporting Vance financially and in prayer. We have since visited on our own, combining it with a holiday, and hope to visit again soon.

What’s so good about your partnership?

Vance: It is very helpful, especially because many times Tom is telling me about the Alpha Course in their church. We’ve done Alpha twice in our church and prepare to have another. It is also good his long experience with God, to learning from Him

in my life. Tom is good encouragement, he is very good friend who can understand you.

Tom: The personal contact with Vance and the church has made praying and giving more vibrant and real for us; our faith has been strengthened by seeing first hand their dedication.

Why do you think Christians in different countries should work together?

Vance: It is good to be with Christians in different countries to see God’s love in us.

Also to be in unity with Christ, to learn many good things from each other.

Tom: Working with Christians from other countries gives a bigger vision of what God is doing in the world and prevents us getting small minded. It helps put our problems into perspective when we see the courage and dedication of our brothers and sisters working in really challenging situations with minimal resources.

What would you say to somebody in the UK considering a partnership like yours?

Vance: I can say many good things. It is good meeting when Sally came in our church several times, and then Tom. It is very good to have fellowship.

Tom: If you want your giving and prayer to become more dynamic and living, I would strongly recommend exploring the possibility of developing a partnership – give Sally a call!

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

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LATEST UPDATES – KOSOVO AND TURKEY

REACHING THE

UNREACHED

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he shame of the 21st century. That’s how the plight of the Roma people in Kosovo has been described recently.

Can you imagine how it must feel for a church leader to have these people knocking at the church door every day?

People who live in tents or metal containers, people with no education, people who are desperate for help. For Artur Krasniqi, the help they are able to give is not enough; food and clothes are welcome, but Artur is painfully aware that food and clothes alone don’t transform lives.

Artur tells us that Kosovo is not ready for these refugees, returning home after fleeing during the Crisis in 1999. But he wants the church to be ready, and for that he needs our help. Artur says: “We want the possibility to share the gospel with them every day, as they are part of our community – they are willing to listen. We

STANDING FIRM

W

e are really excited that following an article in our previous newsletter about the church in Turkey, we have been able to commit to supporting the church rent for one year!

Not only has this been a fantastic blessing for the Turkish church, but also

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may even get the possibility to teach them to read and write so they can have a Bible.

“In 2010 the Lord clearly spoke to us as a church to reach the most unreached people in Kosova. The Lord gave us the vision of planting five new churches by 2015… our prayer and desire is that one of these churches would be among Roma people, so we invited Blerim (a young Roma man called to reach the Roma community) to come over and help us and he is already working hard, but he is living without any support since March.”

The cost of living (excluding accommodation) in Kosovo is £280 per month. To support travel costs for Blerim as he visits Roma camps is £120 per month.

If you or your church feel called to stand with Artur and Blerim as they reach the unreached in Kosovo, please phone us!

our Eurovangelism supporter who is able to make the difference. Alison writes: “Thank you sooo much. I’ve been praying for the church and its members since I received your report. Turkey is one country that has my heart!”

A sincere thanks from the team here at Eurovangelism, and we pray that this new partnership will be one that brings mutual encouragement and support.

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

LATEST UPDATES – SPAIN AND CHURCH BUILDINGS

HOPE AGAINST DESPAIR

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ngels have come to my house!”, exclaimed Zpeñka, a Czech woman living in the town of Alora, Spain.

Zpeñka was one of hundreds recently evicted due to heavy rains causing a river to flood. Many of the 13,500 inhabitants of Alora have lost everything.

A town with no evangelical church, residents couldn’t believe it when a group of 28 people from the Evangelismo en Accion (EEA) church network arrived to help clear the debris in people’s homes. “You are like gods come to rescue us!” Zpeñka continued, to which one man replied: “The God of Heaven is the inspiration for this;

A CHURCH BUILDING TO LAST THROUGH THE AGES

we are just instruments in His hands”.

EEA church members have been able to demonstrate God’s love in a very practical way by providing basic items to those most in need in Alora following the catastrophe. The City Council are also full of gratitude—a lack of funds has meant they themselves have been unable to provide the help needed.

Please pray for this town, and that God’s love will be clearly shown though the volunteer work of EEA in the coming weeks. If you would like to give towards this work, please mark your gift “Alora”.

I

n our latest “Essential Gifts” catalogue, we felt prompted to include a very large gift item of a church, to be built in one of our partner countries. Sadly, in many areas, the idea of worshipping in a home is frowned upon, so much so that it can be considered a cult.

Therefore, when a church plant wants to grow to the next level it has to buy land, build a church, and present itself to the community as a ‘good place to go’. This helps more people hear about and experience the love of God, as an ‘accepted’ church community is able to do more to help those in need within its community.

We were overwhelmed that one of our supporters wanted to buy this gift! What’s even more amazing is that due to the varying costs in different countries, we are able to buy land and construct a building in Romania, and complete a building in Macedonia.

Please pray with us that these two churches will indeed become an accepted presence within their communities, and that lives will be changed as a result!

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

15

TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME

After a life ruined by alcohol, Petrica found faith and became a new man through the Heart to Heart Old People’s Day Centre in Constanta, Romania.

P

etrica lived most of his life in the communist era, working as a bus driver and drinking alcohol from morning to evening. He had a wife and two daughters, and an apartment given by the state to live in. After the revolution in 1989, Petrica and his wife bought their apartment for a small amount of money from the state.

In 1998, Petrica crashed the bus he was driving, full of people. Nobody died, but some were seriously hurt and needed to spend months in hospital. Petrica himself ended up with a permanent semi-paralysis of his left leg and arm, a constant reminder of that day for the rest of his life.

From that day, everything changed.

He lost his job and was sent home with a pension of £50 a month. He drank more, and managed to drive his wife and children away from him so that in the year 2000, they left for good.

They decided to sell their apartment and divide the money. She bought a small apartment, but Petrica drunk his share of the money in a few months and ended up living on the streets.

In 2005 the Heart to Heart Day Centre opened and the team met Petrica on the street – drunk, dirty and smelly. They took him to the day centre and asked him to take a shower, he was reluctant, but eventually did it. For a few months Petrica 16

would come to the centre and have food, then go back onto the streets to drink and sleep there.

Though his life was a mess, Petrica was an intelligent man with a soft heart. The message of God’s love touched him, and he ended up crying every day because he realised the state he was in, but he couldn’t find the power to change. He knew that he should stop drinking, but he just couldn’t do it.

The old me always used to carry a bottle of vodka in my pocket; the new me will always carry a Bible!

He started to attend church services on Sunday mornings. He would cry every Sunday, but always go back to the same life of drinking… until one Sunday morning, when he heard a sermon about us being sons and daughters of The King!

The next Monday when he came to the day centre, he was sober. He came to us and said, “I never knew I am a prince!”

From that day, his new passion became reading the Bible. He said: “The old me always used to carry a bottle of vodka in

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME

my pocket; the new me will always carry a Bible!”

Petrica became a new man. He found a place to rent and Heart to Heart helped him pay the rent, until he later moved into an elderly people’s home.

He brought six of his old friends to the day centre and led them to the Lord!

One day when he was travelling home from the church, he saw on the bus a beautiful young lady that attracted his attention. He realised she was his daughter, and through her he got in contact with his family again.

Petrica is one man who can say – I was dead, but now I live!

TENACIOUS

A NEW BOOK OF 100 INSPIRING STORIES JUST LIKE PETRICA’S Due out early 2013 and available to order in our next newsletter, it will encourage and challenge in equal measure!

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

17

CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – ROMANIA

POINT OF VIEW Tim Dobson is a pastor at the Woodlands Group of Churches in Bristol. He first went out to Constanta, Romania three years ago with a group of interns from the church. Tim says:

F

or me, going out the first time had a really big impact; I knew I was going to a part of Europe that is in the European Union, yet there was such poverty—it was a shock to see first-hand. In with the poverty, I met some lovely Christian brothers and sisters who were generously and courageously serving, even though they’re not so well off themselves. I was really struck by their love, devotion and commitment to those in need.

I grew up in a Christian household in the 1970s, so some of the stories we heard of Eastern Europe were about people like Richard Wurmbrand and Brother Andrew, Christians imprisoned and persecuted for their faith. To actually go across and meet a pastor who was 82 and who had lived through the Ceausescu regime was very humbling. This man had endured persecution that I had never experienced.

I’m here in a live, thriving church, and this man led a small fellowship through such troubled times and persecution. Meeting him was a great experience.

As a church leader I try to lead with a global perspective, so it’s very helpful to go on short term mission trips—and people at church say they love it when I visit Constanta because my preaching is more inspiring when I get back!

I’ve been a few times now and done 18

Tim Dobson (blue t-shirt, bottom-right) with church team and PRR kids in Constanta.

some leadership training, so I see the challenges leaders face with the economic uncertainties, and as they face the heartache of leaders leaving to make money in other countries. This has really touched me, so now I can pray with real meaning because I know the people there.

Strategically, it has been very helpful to have one or two local links in the Constanta area that you helped forge. We’ve been going to Constanta for three years now and there’s a stronger link. When Ludo did his cream teas this summer, actually raising £2,500 for Project Romanian Rescue was not hard because people feel it and know what’s going on there.

For each team I’ve led, it’s been one of the highlights of their gap experience.

It’s a very cross-cultural experience, not only language, but also the poverty—and they’re always struck by people’s love and concern. It makes them realise they’ve got very little to complain about, giving them a very different world view that’s less selfcentred. Visiting PRR, the teams are always amazed by the way the children give and receive love so easily when they’ve had such difficult backgrounds.

Team members think they are going out to bless those they are visiting, but they always come away feeling blessed by their encounters with the workers they’ve met!

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / WINTER 2012

ESSENTIAL gifts NEW GIFT CATALOGUE OUT NOW! Buy a gift with a value, not just a price, and help transform lives.

For your copy, phone +44 (0)117 961 5161 or visit www.transformeuropenow.org

International Christian Resources Exhibition E Q U I P P I N G A N D E M P O W E R I N G YO U R C H U R C H

Transform Europe Now will be at the Christian Resources Exhibition Bristol, 23 & 24 January 2013 If you’d like to come along and chat to the team, as well as see all the latest the Christian world is doing, then get in touch because we have FREE tickets to give away.

FREE TICKETS! Call us on +44 (0)117 961 5161 or email office@transformeuropenow.org

We will be showcasing our new look which we hope will get many more people excited and wanting to get involved!

Come and find us at stand C48 & C49.

We’d love to see you there!

TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW

SPRING CONFERENCE

10–12 MAY 2013 / KING’S PARK, NORTHAMPTON

Don’t miss this challenging weekend, full of exciting reports of God at work across Europe.

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS: Mirco Andreev

Church leader/planter who wants to see churches planted across every town in Macedonia!

Monika Mahr

Director of CASA Grace, Romania, which is making an impact on many people living in poverty.

COME ALONG AND BE INSPIRED! #

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