MAGAZINE Spring 2013
www.transformeuropenow.org
CAN YOU REALLY CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE IN A WEEK? YOU’D THINK THE CHURCH WOULD HELP... RUSSIA AND PORTUGAL PROJECT UPDATES SPRING PRAYER DIARY
The Lar Children’s Home logo
STRETCH OUT YOUR HANDS
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
T
he other day I was preaching on Genesis 17 where God reinforces His covenant with Abram and Sarai by changing their names. Of course, the meaning wasn’t lost on me as I then reflected on Eurovangelism changing its name to Transform Europe Now, and what we hope is the promise of God’s work still to be accomplished. Yet Europe seems to be our forgotten neighbour, with so many Christians either uninformed or disinterested about the plight. And what is this work? In Genesis 17, the work and promise of God is played out in the lives of people who have hopes and dreams, fears and failures. For Abram and Sarai, their longings were centred around the desire for family, and the reality of childlessness. We can sympathise all so readily with this very real human plight, but more importantly, God could too. He became powerfully involved, and through the amazing birth of Isaac brought transformation not only to a family, but eventually the whole world. Herein lies a key dynamic of God’s presence in our lives—He brings blessing to us but there is always an abundance, an overflow, that enables us to bless others too. Transform Europe Now is simply about UK Christians sharing what God has given them with those He wants to impact across Europe. We pass on the blessings we have received to our partners in 70 different projects, churches and initiatives, and they in turn bless those they live amongst. It’s both beautiful and biblical. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to one of our supporters, Freda Bawler, who passed away recently to be with the Lord. She epitomised what it means to abundantly share God’s blessings, having been a friend of the ministry since its early days almost 50 years ago. On behalf of all of us here at Transform Europe Now, thank you Lord for sharing her with us. Every Blessing,
CONTENTS 4
TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME The luckiest guy alive
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TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME I am rich!
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MAKE SUMMER DREAMS A REALITY
Can you really change a child’s life in a week?
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PRAYER DIARY
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YOU AND EUROPE
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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK
March – May 2013
Where has God called you?
60 Seconds with Tim Silk
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WHAT’S GOING ON IN...
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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK
Russia and Portugal
Thoughts from a TEN Ambassador
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
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.
TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
THE LUCKIEST GUY
ALIVE
Miguel (18) lives at The Lar Children’s Home in Portugal. Sally Bertram spoke with him when she visited in February; she had been intrigued by his joyful attitude towards life and the way he loves and cares for the younger children in the home. This is his story:
I
came here because my mother sent me to a babysitter and ran away. She did not pay her, and said she would come back, but she didn’t. The babysitter had a son and no money, and she kept me for two years—she beat me all the time and didn’t feed me. One day she beat me with her shoe and my eye went purple and my teacher at school saw it and called the authorities. I was five when I came to the home, and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. At that time it was hard because they were always talking about Jesus—I didn’t know
The Lars Children’s Home, Portugal.
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who he was, I thought he was a superhero like Superman because he had super powers! But I heard about Jesus every day and I became a Christian when I was seven.
My life is like a boat on the sea and a storm comes and shakes the boat, I don’t know what’s coming next. When I was nine I was about to be adopted, but my mother came and found me, so then I wasn’t adopted. My mum started crying and saying, “I’m sorry, I had to abandon you because I had a bad life, I’m sorry”. So then I started seeing her, but we had no connection; I said to her once that I did not feel like she was my mother, just a friend. She never raised me like a son. When I was 17 I started feeling sore in my neck, then some lumps grew. When the doctor said it was cancer, the world fell
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
down. The doctor said he could not believe it, I was always healthy—no smoking, no alcohol, lots of sports. When I got to 18 I should have been sent away from the home, but I can stay because of the cancer. God wants me to stay here. When I started chemotherapy, Eva helped me and prayed for me, and everybody prayed for me, in many countries, in many churches—this had a big influence in my life. Now I want to be a missionary. Really I would like to play football, but I do not have that opportunity, I don’t have money or knowledge and now I haven’t even finished school. My life is like a boat on the sea and a storm comes and shakes the boat, I don’t know what’s coming next. My dream is that I want to have a family, I want to be successful, I want to be happy, I want to do the Lord’s work. Now I’m not doing anything—no work, no school. My treatment finished in December. If I have to leave the home I will be on the streets. My life is in the Lord’s hands. My life is eating, sleeping, and praying… and helping the other kids in the home. I’m afraid that something worse may happen in the next years, I’m afraid that everybody will abandon me, I’m afraid that the world is against me. I have a friend who I grew up with and now he is dead, another is in jail—it is like I’m the last of the dynasty. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me, but I enjoy today. I think I’m the luckiest guy in the world, because other guys fail and give up; all the bad things happen to me and I fight, I’m still here, I don’t give up. I’m always the same guy, I’m always happy. Jesus has me, he doesn’t leave me like my mother. I’m not afraid to die. What I have to do in the world, I think Jesus will tell me. If something happened to me and I die, I know that I have a place in heaven. I know that.
TENACIOUS
A NEW BOOK OF 100 INSPIRING STORIES JUST LIKE MIGUEL’S Phone us now on 0117 961 5161 to pre-order your copy, it will encourage and challenge in equal measure!
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.transformeuropenow.org
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TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
I AM RICH! Elvira is 21 years old and lives in Bathore, Albania. She writes:
I
had heard about the Hope Centre from my younger sister, who had been going there since it first opened. I never thought for a moment to go with her, for I did not like to hear about faith. I considered the activities she talked about as of no value and kept a negative attitude towards the Centre and the Good News they spread in the community. Sometimes I would even consider my sister going there as dangerous. Last summer, my mother was invited to the Hope Centre, to help in the kitchen during the Summer Camps. One day she was not feeling well, so she asked me to fill in for her. I did not feel like going at all, but I had to go for my mother. But now, I am sure that what took place in that camp was the biggest miracle I ever experienced in my life until then.
Only then I understood what it means to experience the joy of things accomplished with love‌ The love and dedication for the children as well as for one another that I found in the big family of Mission Possible was pure and bountiful. They took such good care of the little kids that you could think they were their own. But the truth is that those kids were from poor families, often undernourished, and in whose so called homes they may have never felt family warmth. Only then I understood what it means to experience the 6
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
TRANSFORMING LIVES – ONE LIFE AT A TIME
joy of things accomplished with love, and above all I understood the most important thing, that the Love of God is so big, so magnificent, and so beautiful! God calls us “His Children” while a lot of parents often forget to mention this word, as if it does not really exist. A complete new world has opened in front of me since I joined the Youth Group in the Hope Centre. In one conference, every one of us had the possibility to learn, to give his or her opinion and to discuss. It was a great experience and we learned many new things, but above all we learned about the freedom of living in Faith and walking in it. Then, the special activity ‘Photo Advocacy’ followed. In the streets of Bathore we encounter children and teenagers of different ages, who for various reasons have abandoned school, thus becoming co-travellers with poverty and misery. They become easy prey for violence, drugs, abandonment and even trafficking, and they begin to lose hope. The Hope Centre encouraged us to advocate through pictures to address this. For two months the youth group was trained to use cameras, to capture pictures “that speak more than one thousand words”, and how to bring together the photo with the message, how to advocate through them. This project brought about a movement in which most of the youth in Bathore were involved, so that we all had the possibility to raise our voice and fight against this phenomenon. The project was finalized with a big exhibition, and many of the visitors were taken by surprise when they saw the works we had accomplished. We are so thankful to God for the work and strength and wisdom He gives to each of us and for His boundless love. The seed of my faith was very little in the beginning, but was fed every day with the Holy Word until one day it grew up. I do not have any money, but still I am rich!
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Left: Elvira. 1. Prayers at a Hope Centre meeting. 2. Elvira helping to clean up a local community. 3. Photo Advocacy. 4. Elvira winning an award for her painting.
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Can you really change a child’s life in a week? Absolutely! This summer churches across the UK will be running holiday clubs and summer camps as a means of reaching into their local communities. Many of our partners across Europe will be doing the same, but with a few significant differences. For example: » The children will sometimes be coming from the streets, and not homes. » Often the children’s only meal for the day will be at the summer camp. » Feeling safe in the company of an adult who cares may be a new experience. » Playing games and doing craft will be an amazing break from a harsh life. » It may be the first time they have ever heard about who Jesus really is.
With your support, Summer Dreams can become a reality. The nightmare of daily existence can be eased for a while, but even more than this; often our partners in social action can get alongside children and families as a result of first meeting them through summer camps. It costs approximately £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 even around, they don’t have it either). Sometimes we even need to make the tough decision about how many children we can or can’t afford. Your support will help us reach as many as possible, 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 not just a dream. Just £10 can make all the difference. If you’d like to give to the ‘Summer Dreams’ fund, please indicate this on your response slip.
On behalf of the children who will go on a Summer Camp this year – THANK YOU!
PRAYER DIARY
PRAYER DIARY MARCH – MAY 2013 MARCH 2013 1 / Mirco Andreev, Skopje, Macedonia. Pray that the evangelism seminar this month, with teams from Bulgaria, Belarus and UK, will encourage more church members to be involved with outreach. 2 / Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in the planning of the ‘Days of Hope’ evangelistic outreach, taking place in various different towns throughout May. 3 / Our Ambassador, Andrew Macpherson, is speaking today at Stockwood Free Church, Bristol. 4 / Mirco would like wisdom on how to proceed with plans for a new Bible School in Kumanovo now that the building will soon be completed and he has a programme and teachers available. 5 / The Kumanovo court case is getting even more complicated, with a judge recently stepping down and needing to be replaced. Continue to pray for this ongoing situation, that justice will be done. 6 / Mission Possible, Albania. Pray for encouragement for those who come to youth meetings at the Hope Centre in Bathore. May Easter time be a special reminder of how much God loves them. 7 / Pray for God’s wisdom in all decisions made concerning the development of the youth group. 8 / Pray today for some of the Hope Centre team: Ornela, whose baby is due in the spring; Edjola
and Ergi, studying for degrees; Mrika, librarian, raising two small daughters by herself; and Naslia, who has had health concerns. 9 / This weekend Andy Drake is speaking at a men’s conference in Spain, for both Spanish men and expatriates. 10 / On Mothering Sunday today pray for the women Mission Possible work with. Pray that as they work through the book ‘Five Signs of a Loving Family’ many will learn how they can help bring health and wholeness into their families. 11 / Tomislav and Helena Mogus, Vukovar, Croatia. Last year the protestant churches in Vukovar worked together to take the gospel into schools and taught about alcohol abuse dangers. Pray that their plan to do this in three other schools will be successful. 12 / Pray for encouragement for the two couples who attended last year’s family camp and then abandoned divorce plans. Ask God to help them to mend and strengthen their marriages. 13 / Please pray today for Tomislav and Helena’s friend Aleksandra and her baby daughter. She has come through difficulties to trust in God. Pray for stability in their everyday lives. 14 / Pray for Tomislav and Helena and their children Dora and Marko. Ask God to bless them with health, strength and discernment in their outreach to many who are in great need.
15 / Danijel and Eva Mrsic, Split, Croatia. Pray for ongoing development of the FOKUS Christian camp, which hosts many activities. Pray for funds needed for this work. 16 / Pray for preparations for the teens camp in July and the children’s camp in June. 17 / Our Ambassador, Terry Wood, is speaking today at Speedwell Methodist Church, Bristol. Andy Drake is at the Findlay Church ‘Mission Weekend’ in Glasgow. 18 / Pray that funds will be available to enable children from needy Roma and refugee families to attend the FOKUS camps and not miss out due to their circumstances. 19 / Pray for inspiration and encouragement for Danijel and Eva Mrsic as they serve other pastors and churches in the West Balkans through their Focus on the Balkans ministry. 20 / Slavko Hadzic, Sarajevo, Bosnia. Pray for Slavko’s preparation for his teaching at his church Bible School this week on evangelism. 21 / Slavko’s church are holding a concert in the run-up to Easter. Pray for many to attend, for new friendships to begin and for people to hear God through the short gospel message. 22 / Sally Bertram and Ambassador Terry Wood are in Bosnia until 26th March visiting partners. Pray that they will bring much encouragement and support.
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PRAYER DIARY
Andrew
Tomi & Helana
Eva & Danijel
23 / Pray for newcomers to attend the ‘Circle of Women’ evangelistic meeting taking place in Slavko’s church near Easter. 24 / Two Alpha courses are being planned for the spring in Sarajevo, for students and for teenagers. Pray that these will be well attended and will have lifechanging impact. 25 / Peter and Lynne Yeoman, Malbork, Poland. The church hope to start meeting weekly in the town of Sztum, to pray for Sztum and start making links with the community. Please pray for an affordable venue to be found for this. 26 / Pray that one of the local church leaders in Sztum will be willing to work with them. 27 / Please pray for a good translator to work with them in Sztum. 28 / Please pray today for Tomek and Damaris Otremba in Silesia, Poland and their family. Pray for good health and encouragement in their work there. 29 / As people mark Jesus’ death this Good Friday, pray that many will find new life in Him over this Easter period. 30 / Pray that the Easter outreach activities in our partners’ churches will bring many newcomers into them.
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Terry
Slavko
31 / As you celebrate Easter, pray for all those who went to church today for the first time. Ask God to reveal Himself to them as they seek Him and look to Him in their need.
APRIL 2013 1 / Danny and Vera Kuranji, Novi Sad, Serbia. It is a challenge to find room for all those wanting to go on the drug/alcohol rehabilitation programme in Novi Sad. Please pray for finance and accommodation so that no-one is turned away. 2 / A new member is being added to the Novi Sad team doing hospice visiting. Pray that this will make a big impact on the workload. Pray too for finances for food and medicines needed. 3 / Pray for Danny, Vera and their family today, including youngest grandchild, Mihajlo. Pray for good health, strength and stamina. 4 / Emanuel Hospice, Oradea, Romania. The team would like us to pray that they live each day in complete dependency upon the Lord and will do His will wholeheartedly. 5 / They want no patient or family to feel alone in their suffering, but rather to know the comforting presence of God and the genuine care and love of the hospice staff.
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
Tomek & Damaris
Marian
Roumen
6 / Pray for the fundraising for the new hospice building. Ask God to call companies, churches and individuals to give towards this. 7 / Project Romanian Rescue, Romania. Director Marian continues to do two full time jobs, which is not good for him or his family. Pray that funds will come in to enable a new staff member to be employed urgently. 8 / Pray that a person will be found with the right qualities, experience and abilities to do the work that needs to be done at PRR. 9 / A number of former PRR boys, now grown up, need jobs to support themselves and their families. Pray for Ady, Mishu and Johnny, along with others in this situation. 10 / A team from Woodlands Church, Bristol are travelling to Mission Possible, Bulgaria to minister to the ladies at Home Dobromirka. 11 / Andy Drake is also currently in Bulgaria, meeting with partners. Pray that meeting times will be encouraging and inspiring. 12 / Pray for God’s wisdom for Andy as he returns home and considers his time in Bulgaria. 13 / Please pray that the Woodlands team currently at Home Dobromirka will be a great help and encouragement.
PRAYER DIARY
Stoyan
Teddy & Didi
Galina
14 / Mission Possible, Bulgaria. Pray for the children who are given hot meals and clothing at Mission Possible’s winter soup kitchens. Pray that they will think about the God who loves them, in whose name this care is given. 15 / Pray with Mission Possible that those who come to a soup kitchen will also learn more about good hygiene habits and caring for each other. 16 / Pray that the families of children who attend Mission Possible’s soup kitchens will in turn benefit from what their children receive and learn there. 17 / Mission Possible print a Christian magazine for women called “Leah”, which is also read by women who may not have a faith of their own. Pray that seeds will be planted as women become aware of our living God. 18 / The TEN team will be at a SWAN (South West Agencies Network) breakfast today, which will give opportunities for networking with other mission agencies. 19 / Pray for Roumen Ivanov and all of the Mission Possible staff today. Pray for wisdom in decision-making and good health for themselves and their families. 20 / A team from Hillview Evangelical Church, Gloucester, are travelling to Bulgaria, Home Dobromirka today to help with outdoor/garden work needing to
Sergey Didovetz Sergey Lagutkin
Andrei
be done. They will be there until 27th. Pray that their support will make a big impact there. 21 / This week, if his fitness is okay, Andy Drake may well be kayaking down the Thames in the Thames Challenge to raise funds for TEN. Please pray for him in this endeavour. 22 / Stoyan Angelov, Bulgaria. Stoyan holds Christian film evenings once a month in Boliarovo and is in need of people to help with welcoming and to provide refreshments regularly. 23 / Some Christians have left Granitova to find work. Stoyan would love God to provide work for all the Christians there to show others how God provides for people both spiritually and materially. 24 / The mayor of the village of Dervent gave his life to Christ after a meeting with Stoyan. Pray that this will be a real turning point for him and that he will be determined to follow Christ. 25 / The church in Mamarchevo needs a larger meeting place, preferably a public room in the village. Pray that the mayor there will allow this and also allow Christian films to be shown. 26 / The church in Razdel are also looking for a new place to meet as the lady whose home they meet in is ill. Pray for the lady who is ill and also for a new place to meet.
Mark
Juan
27 / Teddy and Didi Oprenovi, Sofia, Bulgaria. Pray that the worship team, which lost members for various reasons last year, will be refreshed and replenished. 28 / Pray that the new church website and live broadcasts of services will be used by many. 29 / Pray that people who are not Christians will listen in to a service on the internet out of curiosity. 30 / Pray for God’s blessing of the final stages of the new church building work: legalisation for use, administration/bureaucracy concerns, registration of day centres, final touches.
MAY 2013 1 / Galina Dzhuzenova, Compassion Ministry, Moscow, Russia. The Compassion team will be visiting hospitals for Easter concerts this week (Easter is 5th May in Russia) and would like prayer as it is not easy for protestant groups to hold meetings in places used by the public. 2 / Pray that patients in the hospitals visited by the Compassion Ministry will be encouraged by love and fellowship shared. 3 / Pray for wisdom and discernment for the Compassion team as they visit the Gerontological Hospital (6th May), Moscow Hospital No. 20 (7th May) and Kashenko Hospital (8th May).
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PRAYER DIARY
4 / Pray today for Mirco Andreev, Monika Mahr and their families as they prepare to come to conference next week. 5 / Sergey Didovetz, Kostroma, Russia. The roof is up on the new church building here, along with a cross illuminated at night. The next stage is raising funds for doors and windows, which they would love to have by summer. Join with them in asking God for these needs. 6 / Sergey Lagutkin, Astrakhan, Russia. The church have a weekly local television slot, ‘The Open Bible’. Pray that many will hear about Jesus through this programme. 7 / Please pray for the TEN team as they make final preparations for the conference next weekend and for CRE soon afterwards. 8 / Pray for all those who produce ‘The Open Bible’ in Bible. Pray for God’s guidance for them. 9 / Ask God to use ‘The Open Bible’ to bring transformation to people’s lives. 10 / The TEN conference begins this evening. Pray for safe travelling for everyone attending and that arrival/setting up plans will go smoothly. 11 / Pray that conference guests, Mirco Andreev and Monika Mahr, will be inspired by God as they share about their work and the needs of those they serve. 12 / Pray that supporters on this final day of the conference will leave inspired and encouraged. 13 / Pray today for God’s blessing and encouragement for Mirco and Monika following their time with us at conference.
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14 / Pray for many people to attend the CRE (Christian Resources Exhibition) starting today in Sandown, Surrey and for many good conversations at the TEN stand. 15 / Pray that many who have not heard of our work in Europe will come to meet us and find out more. 16 / Pray for the TEN team at CRE today. Ask God to help them clearly communicate about the work of our partners across Europe. 17 / Pray that many at CRE will want to sign up for regular news from us, enabling us to keep them informed with news from our partners. 18 / Andrei Ghedeon, Burlacu, Moldova. Andrei has asked us to pray for a young family in his church: Sergei and Tatiana and their two young children and also Tatiana’s brothers. Pray that God’s love and faithfulness will transform this family. 19 / The church in Burlacu distributes food packages each month to support eight elderly people. Pray for plenty of food for this service and that those visited will know God’s love and peace. 20 / A new church building is needed in Burlacu. Part of the money needed is now in; please pray that the rest will be received in due course, giving better facilities for their children’s and young people’s work. 21 / Ask God today if He will supply Burlacu church with the best youth leader needed for the group of 15 young people there.
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
22 / Pray today for God’s wisdom and inspiration for Andrei and Eugenie Ghedeon as they serve Him in Burlacu. 23 / Mark McCormick, Gotesti, Moldova. Pray for the visits to people’s homes by church members in Gotesti and neighbouring villages. Pray that many visited will want to find out more about Jesus for themselves. 24 / Pray for people to make real, lasting, life-changing commitments to Christ in Moldova. 25 / Mark’s church ran an Alpha course at the start of 2012. Ask God to encourage those who came to faith in Christ so that their faith will grow and be strengthened. 26 / Pray for Mark and Mari McCormick and their daughters Rachael and Abigail today. Pray for good health and necessary times together relaxing as a family. 27 / Pray for God’s wisdom for Mark and Mari in their planning for the remainder of this year. 28 / The Lar children’s home, Portugal. Pray for the staff who diligently care for the children here; pray that God’s love and kindness will shine through them. 29 / Pray that the children at The Lar will come to know Jesus and grow strong in their faith. 30 / The Lar care home for the elderly, Portugal. Pray for the care home’s staff today, that how they care for residents will clearly demonstrate God’s love to both residents and their families. 31 / Pray that residents who don’t know Jesus yet may come to know him.
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:
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.transformeuropenow.org
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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK...
60 SECONDS WITH…
TIM SILK
Tim Silk is Vicar at St Philips and St Jacobs (Pip ‘n’ Jay) Church in Bristol, a church that’s held strong links with Transform Europe Now for many years, providing financial support for partners in Europe, along with general funds to help us continue with our work.
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im began his incumbency at Pip ‘n’ Jay in 2011 and wanted to find out what TEN is all about, so we sent him to Constanta, Romania, to meet with Traian and Elena Pascalau. Tim writes: Many people I meet express a spiritual thirst, yet are separated from the only One with water. Thousands of young adults pour out of Temple Meads Station every morning and stream past historic church buildings; the social traffic witnesses to international migration, the local school is gloriously full of many nationalities. How are we to make disciples here? My passion for world mission has always been disproportionately expressed locally, and I have always longed to see how we might live this passion more effectively. Last year I met Traian and Elena in London, and discovered they live the kind of story I have dreamed of. During our conversation I heard myself saying out loud that I would visit them, and I realised that I needed to follow through on this! As the conversation developed, they suggested that people pray about what God wants 14
Tim Silk speaking at Elena’s church.
them to do in Bristol, visit Constanta and then return to establish it in Bristol as the Holy Spirit empowered them. I loved this idea and saw that it reversed the tables of the traditional way of thinking about mission. I needed their help to reach people here. I visited Traian and Elena along with some feisty prayer warriors from a church in London. As we visited various projects, church plants and children’s homes, I was moved by what I saw. But then a thought hit me and I was silenced: God is doing in Constanta what I am longing to be part of
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK...
in Bristol. We needed their help. I was amazed at the Lord’s provision for people who love Him and who are willing to lead others to him in a very difficult place. These are leaders who have thrived under God’s good hand, some of whose parents were persecuted under Ceausescu. What he intended for harm, the Lord redeemed for His Kingdom. I was astonished at the capability and character of each of the leaders. The people in Mangalia who rebuilt a church building after a fire destroyed the first one, only a few weeks prior to it being opened, deserve a medal; by His grace they will receive infinitely more. We met massively gifted people serving Jesus in difficult places under difficult circumstances; people who face incredible opposition yet continue because they know the Giver of Life has called them there. We have much to learn about leadership from these people. I still cry when I pray for the leaders in
the children’s homes—what kind of God would send people to rescue vulnerable children and nurture them to become the brightest, most beautiful in their class? Our God! As we visited place after place I realised the one story that was not being voiced was Traian and Elena’s. But that is the wonder of it. Their story was unfolding in every encounter with others. They modelled gospel partnership across the county. From Novodari to Techirghiol the Spirit is at work, building the church, reaching the poor, welcoming the vulnerable. We need this here. As I reflect upon why we need to pursue gospel partnerships with people planting churches and serving the marginalised across Europe, I realise our spiritual need and their material need. Our need is to reach the majority here who do not enjoy Jesus as Lord. Our need is to transform Europe now, because this is where we live.
If you would like to know more about how your church can be impacted by mission in Europe please call us on +44 (0)117 961 5161.
Tim (right) sharing with a church planter in Romania.
+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.transformeuropenow.org
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WHAT’S GOING ON IN...
...RUSSIA
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alina Dzhuzenova heads up the Compassion Ministry in Moscow, which provides services for those living in poverty who would otherwise be living in neglect and distress. The team make a positive impact on the lives of the poor and marginalised, including children at risk, orphans, the homeless, refugees and the elderly. One large area of the work is in hospitals across the city, where a team of women known as the ‘Sisters of Mercy’ visit patients to comfort them with care and the message of hope. This May will see the Compassion Ministry celebrating its 25th anniversary! TEN also partners with four church planters who have moved to remote or difficult areas to plant churches, facilitated through the Baptist Union. Sergey Didovetz lives in Kostroma, 200 miles northeast of Moscow; Sergey Obidenov lives 16
in Prohladniy, near the Caucasus Mountains; Sergey Lagutkin lives in Astrakhan, near the Caspian Sea and bordering Kazakhstan; and Andrej Kozhinov is in the process of moving to plant a church in Golishmanovo, in southwest Siberia. All men are making impacts in their local communities, reaching out to the elderly, children, prisoners, the sick and the marginalised. Sergey Lagutkin also has a wider reach, with a TV ministry broadcast weekly on cable! Recently, there has been a government clampdown on the holding of meetings by any Protestant churches or organisations, which has put significant limitations on some of the work that Compassion can do, and on the work of our church planters.
Photos: Top: Sergey Lagutkin (right) baptises believers in a lake. 1: Sisters of Mercy hospital visit. 2: Church Leaders take the message that ‘God is Love’ into their communities. 3: Baptisms in ice!
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
“It is so nice to hear that we are with God’s people, especially in a critical situation like ours. Those who are with us are much more than those who are against us! Thank you for your support and keeping us in your prayers.” Sergey
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WHAT’S GOING ON IN...
...PORTUGAL
T
EN has partnered with Fundacao Lar Evangelico Portugues (FLEP) for many years now, and it’s a place that the late Freda Bawler held dear in her heart. “The Lar” (Portuguese for ‘home’) opened in 1948, when a couple saw the desperate needs of those living around them and began to take both children and the elderly into their own home. As more people moved in to the home, a place was found to rent, and eventually two buildings were built—one for children, and the other for the elderly, which was finished as recently as the year 2000. The current President of
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the home, Juan, took over in 2009 and is working hard to ensure that the children grow up feeling they are loved, and the elderly are well cared for. Isabelle, who was eight years old when her parents started the home, still lives at the children’s home and leads a half hour worship service every evening. Many of the children have given their lives to Christ, and Isabelle prays that all will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Gifts in memory of Freda will be used for the ongoing work of The Lar.
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“We thank God for the partnership we have with TEN. Please join us as we pray for Miguel, who has cancer, that God’s Will be in his life; for financial sustainability; and that we will be able to improve the home with a fire detection system and a new laundry.” Juan
Photos: Top: Children waiting for daily evening worship service led by Isabelle. 1: Juan, President of The Lar. 2: Lar Children’s Home. 3: Mealtime at The Lar.
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+44 (0)117 961 5161 / www.transformeuropenow.org
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CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS – AN INSIDE LOOK...
THOUGHTS FROM A
TEN AMBASSADOR Gregg Thompson is a TEN Ambassador, and conducts evaluation work for our partner projects. Below are his thoughts during a ‘return flight’.
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’ve just visited the small town of Elhovo, located in southern Bulgaria. Of the 13,000 who live there, many are troubled by unemployment, corruption, poverty and monotony. You’d think the church would help, but often the opposite happens. Sadly, in Bulgarian orthodoxy Jesus can be draped in the trappings of religion, packaged as a remote, austere and cold God. This attitude seeps throughout the culture, creating gender division, elitism and a notion that Jesus rules using guilt, fear and zealous ethical standards. Jesus is more of a revered statue than a personal God. Jesus the human, the partygoer, the friend, the loving shepherd is an unfamiliar truth. Yet just like in so many places where our partners work, life-giving contrast is offered. In Elhovo key leaders such as Alexander Vulkanov and Stoyan Angelov are investing time and energy in local people. If you were to live in Elhovo it is highly likely that they would pray for you, invite you to worship God and take the time to join you at an unhurried pace of life. Their evangelical church preaches grace, relationship with Jesus and models a life of kindness, generosity and love. Life doesn’t miraculously become easy but they have a focus on Jesus that offers hope and a different way. Stories of people being healed, lives being transformed and people uniting in community attract intrigued locals. In less than 10 years this small town 18
church has grown to over 160 people with 25 village church plants! The congregations consist of rural people, many of whom have no regular work and scarce access to wealth and possessions. Yet what they lack in belongings they make up for in heart. A passion for Jesus here is not built on trendy church services, a comfortable life and feel good factors. Instead worship is lived out and trusting through hardship is experienced. Transform Europe Now has always sought to invest in the local leaders, their culture and what God is doing there. I am proud of this model and vision no matter how counterintuitive that may feel to a podcast saturated, naturally impatient post-modern follower of Jesus like me. As I left listening to my iPod, venturing home to a job of cloud computing and eating fast food, maybe I have much to learn from the expressions of church in Elhovo.
Some people from the church in Boliarovo (in the Elhovo Region).
TRANSFORM EUROPE NOW / SPRING 2013
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 in Sandown Park, London, 14–17 May 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
Please pray with us that visitors to our stand will be excited about what God is doing in Europe, and will want to get involved with the work! If you are able to visit, come and find us at stand S50… we’d love to see you there!
PRE-ORDER YOUR FREE ‘HARVEST FOR THE HUNGRY’ PACK TODAY! Harvest seems a long way away, but it’s good to put it in the church diary NOW! Our free ‘Harvest for the Hungry’ pack gives you everything you need to get involved. Whether you want to hold a traditional harvest service, or want to get people thinking about the problems of hunger at any time of the year, our resource pack has a range of materials that will help you focus on those in our own continent who are less fortunate than ourselves. To pre-order your pack just call +44 (0)117 9615161 or visit www.transformeuropenow.org
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!
CALL NOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE: +44 (0)117 9615161 #
BOOKING FORM Please complete and return this form to: Transform Europe Now, 1 Holdenhurst Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1HL, or call Angela Johnson on +44 (0)117 961 5161. All rooms are en suite and available at a fantastic rate of £139 per person. Please reserve spaces for
number of people.
I enclose a nonrefundable deposit of £
at £50 per person, or
I enclose full payment of £ PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS: Name: Address:
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