Making A Difference
If you go on a 10-day short-term mission trip & expect to see thousands of people getting ‘saved’ then you probably need to take a reality check. Unless you’re Billy Graham, then it’s probably not going to happen. However, it’s clear that both mission teams & church plants are having an impact in the lives of many people & many communities across Europe. I’ve spent hours trawling through the feedback reports & testimonies from last year’s missions, but I have to tell you, it was worth every minute. See what you think!
People are sometimes sceptical when kids respond to gospel appeals, as if they’re not really capable of understanding what it means. Well, this particular team was taking no chances: “At the holiday Bible club almost all the children (45) prayed to accept the Lord: it seemed that most of them were sincere & understood what they were doing. My wife even explained it to them twice because they so readily responded to make sure they understood as well as they could.” The team had been told to expect 15-18 kids at the Vacation Bible School, but by the end of the week they had 96 kids!
Kids club in Romania
Team leader Tim Darnell sums up their mission. “I believe that our team was an encouragement to both Pastor Titi, & to Valentin, as well as to their families, & the existing church. We made some strong bonds of friendship in our short time there. Many of the children who attended the VBS made commitments to the Lord. This, I believe, will help to jump start & expand children’s ministry in Babadag.”
“In Sarichioi, our team helped to raise the profile of Valentin in that community. He already is a man who is well respected. Now that he has been seen with ‘Canadians’, I believe that he will be able to speak to more people about the gospel. Specifically, we had an audience with the mayor of Sarichioi, & with the Principal, & Vice principal of the school. After meeting with us, they may be more ready to listen to Vali. I believe that we may have helped to validate Vali’s ministry, and again to raise his profile there.”
In some European countries the Christian church is seen as a cult, whereas Orthodox & Catholic church leaders hold great power & influence within community life. One of the aims of STM teams is to help raise the profile of church planters within the community; to meet with the local mayor or respected leaders to help break down these prejudices. That’s exactly what this Canadian team was doing in Sarichioi, and will aim to build on when they return on mission in 2009.
“It was good to see how Titi & Vali are working in their communities to build a church, & to spread the gospel. We were amazed at the dedication both of these men have to their families, to using their businesses as a place of ministry & outreach, & to their communities & churches. We went to Romania with the purpose of being a blessing but we came home knowing that we had been blessed.” Brilliant!
Kids outreach in Romania
For the last 3 years, City Centre Church, Edmonton (CAN) have been partnering with Lubor & Daniela Skladany, church planters in Trnava (Slovakia) & have sent several mission teams. This is what team leader Jeff Burt had to say after returning from mission last June. It brings tears (of pride) to my eyes every time I read it.
“The kids ministry that they do there is incredible! They just walk into a playground, set up a little puppet show stage & begin to minister to the kids. Lots of kids come & so do their parents, Lubor & Daniela minister to the kids & the parents. Lots of kids come; lots of kids!”
“It was great to get a chance to see the impact they (the church plant) are having in their community; it’s quite something really. We were all very impressed with how well Lubor is known in the neighbourhood; almost everyone there recognized him & knew his name. I remember one night we were talking as a team, we all agreed that we could not imagine this neighbourhood of Linciaska without this church being here. The church, although small in number, is making a very big impact on the neighbourhood. I wish we could say the same for all churches.”
Community work in Slovakia
“The mission was a great chance to get to see the difference that a few people can make in a neighbourhood that no one wants to be in. We were all quite taken back by this. It seemed to make us all very joyful but at the same time rattled us a little; but this would have to do more with our own situations here in Canada I believe. But we were proud to meet our brothers & sisters in Christ. We are proud to be able to write to you & say that they are faithfully representing Christ in their neighbourhood. They work hard; they give willingly; they serve each other & the neighbourhood.”
“Even now our team members speak with love every time they mention the church there. For us the mission was great. We feel privileged to have been able to go. My favourite memory is just seeing Lubor & his family try everyday to make a difference in this neighbourhood. We even had an atheist come to one of our meetings who couldn’t help but agree that he liked some of the dreams that Lubor had for this neighbourhood. Every day they go out & they try; can’t really argue with that. That’s something that won’t leave me.”
I hope by now you’re getting the picture. These church planters are just incredible people. They work so hard within the communities where God has called them to plant churches. Just awesome!
There are so many more great testimonies, but finally, one last story showing the difference that a mission team can have. This small team of 5 people, from Lewsey (UK) went on their first mission to Lucenec (Slovakia) last August. Malcolm Ogglesby writes with honesty:
“I went because we needed someone to lead the group, not because of a specific call. I had no idea how it would go or how the team would gel together. I need not have worried. We had an amazing time from the moment we touched down. Our first session was with a gypsy association. The ladies we spoke with told Otto (church planter) that they had never felt so at ease before.”
Church planters in Lucenec – Otto & Suzanna
“We found the country so open & ready to listen & receive; such a difference from the UK. Our last session in the country was heart breaking. We did a kids program in an orphanage; it was great fun. When we got up to go, the children blocked the gate, not wanting it to be opened for us to leave. Sitting writing this just brings tears to my eyes. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to go, & for those that encouraged us. We made a difference there, & God made a difference in us.” Selah!
Praise God for these great reports; for His blessing on last year’s mission teams & the work of the church planters across Europe. We look forward to even more impact & breakthrough in 2009.
Faith Stories | Judith | 
February 13, 2009 2:57 pm | 
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