Marino and the EU North Macedonia

Praying at the heart of Europe. He heard God say, "Brussels”.

8 Croatian-born, Marino Mojtic, his wife Vesna and two daughters live in Skopje, North Macedonia and serve God through the Evangelical Church of Macedonia. Five years ago, Marino felt in his heart that a shift in ministry was coming.

Two years later and still with no idea about what might lie ahead, Marino called out again to God, "What is it that You have for me? Please tell me!" Then he heard God say, "Brussels". Brussels? For some reason, he knew it meant the European Union. He responded, "I don’t know anyone there! How am I going to do this? And why me?" Then the Lord reminded him of the many prayer walks around the Parliament and Government buildings in Skopje that he was involved with in recent years. Was this preparation for something greater that he could not understand back then? In fact, almost 40 years ago God birthed an unbroken prayer initiative at the centre of Europe’s bureaucracy.

Soon after the formation of the first elected European Parliament in 1979, three MEPs, Wynn Griffiths, a Welsh Socialist and Methodist, Maria Luisa Cassamagnano Carretti, an Italian Christian Democrat and Roman Catholic and John Purvis, a Scottish Conservative and Presbyterian met together to pray while sessions of the European Parliament were held in Strasbourg. They were soon joined by Paul Symonds, a Jesuit priest and Stephen Biller, a Catholic and staff member of the European Democratic Group. As a most unlikely group, they came together around the person of Jesus Christ, discussing a text from the

Bible, and ending their time together with prayer and jointly proclaiming the

prayer "Our Father" in their own languages. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…" Marino Mojtic in Strasbourg

Almost 40 years ago God birthed an unbroken prayer initiative at the centre of Europe’s bureaucracy

Marino arrived at the EU Parliament in Brussels for staff prayers on 22nd September 2017. His first visit coincided with the 15th annual Prayer Breakfast of the European Parliament. Needless to say, he had a blessed time and heard much about the need for prayer in Brussels. Soon afterwards, he met Ian and Jill Jean, who were missionaries in Strasbourg, France and very much involved in the prayer gatherings in the EU Parliament. They became Marino’s mentors and taught him his first steps, "How to walk in the Parliament" and they also introduced him to particular MEPs.

Today, Marino’s vision is to develop a chaplaincy ministry in the EU Parliament in support of MEPs and staff members.

Despite the absence of an official chaplain, Marino serves as an unpaid volunteer. Marino meets MEPs mostly on an individual basis and listens to their concerns and offers prayer. He also supports the prayer gatherings in Strasbourg that coincide with the monthly EU plenary sessions.

There are many newly-elected MEPs and some are showing interest in the prayer gatherings. Marino sees God at work in the lives of the both MEPs and EU staff.

Please pray for Marino as he travels from Skopje each month to Brussels and Strasbourg to serve God’s purpose at the heart of Europe.