GROWTH IN THE BALKANS

Just leaving Rijeka today towards the end of a visit to Serbia and Croatia, (with quick visits to Hungary at both ends). Very encouraging to see how YFC is growing in both of these countries, which so recently have been at war with each other. The evangelical church in Serbia, which is a mainly-Lutheran country, with a strong Orthodox church also, is quite small, with perhaps only about a dozen congregations south of Belgrade, which is where the main population lives. YFC, led by Zvonko Valentini, has mostly concentrated on the northern, more Slovakian-dominated northern part of the country, with a centre in Pivnice, training for youth leaders, prayer events and a youth magazine. Whilst I was there we went down to the south to talk to someone who has been working with us as a volunteer, but who may now come on staff for that area, if we can find the finances.

In Croatia, a mainly-Catholic country, we have three full-time, very-creative staff led by Irena Dragas, with brothers Ruben and Mihael Secen, who are using to great effect the Labyrinth model of reflective prayer and meditation, Daniel Generation youth leader training, and alternative-worship youth services. They have just appointed as the National Board chairman a young female Lutheran pastor, Melanie Ivanovic, who studied with Ruben and his wife Daniella at Osijek Theological Seminary, and seem set for even greater things to come.

In both countries prayer was requested for the churches, who suffer a lot from politicing, infighting and jealousy.