Starting Fresh

Let's start fresh…Let's start with something that is new, big, existing, life changing, challenging, God honoring…what could that be? Hm…

Ok let's start with this:

Two days ago we became JV Slovenia country leaders. 

13 years ago two families came to support Slovene churches in their work with youth. 4 years ago a national youth organization was started. As the name VEČ (meaning more) says, we want to help the youth of Slovenia find God, find home in the local church, walk as Jesus walked and make disciples that make disciples. 

To day we have 34 adult missionaries and 35 children on our team. We serve 7 different churches around the county. This summer we organized 10 different youth camps and shared gospel with over 300 students. Over 30 students gave their life to Christ and are now being discipled in different churches. 

On monday I became the leader of this amazing organization. Josh Patty pass the baton of country leadership to me. 

Is it new, big, existing, life changing, challenging, God honoring? Yes I believe it is. But it is also overwhelming, scary and humbling. As did the number of blessings grow so did the amount of responsibilities. 

Yet we are excited to serve churches around Slovenia in their work with the next generation. 

Josh and Kristi Patty passing the role of leadership to us

He Lives for Maribor - it happened

Easter, the time of great mystery, celebration and victory. We have seen victories in many fronts during this mysterious weekend. As I told you all the evangelical churches decided to pray for our city at the same time. I also mentioned that unified prayer has been my dream since we moved into the city. God fulfilled that dream. On the cloudy (and for a short time rainy) Saturday, most of the churches climbed different hills overlooking Maribor. At 3:30pm, God even granted us some sun rays. And at that point saints form 6 different groups directed their prayers to God. It is hard to explain the excitement that covered us when we realized the power of united church. Only the united church of Maribor can reach the city of 150 000 people for Christ. When, after the prayer time, we got together with other believers, we were assured that God has started a movement of uniting his followers. Through celebration, food and fellowship God mysteriously, and victoriously confirmed his loving presence.

The promise of one church, one body, one spirit was fulfilled in our city. Praise be to God!!!

Now the task of reaching the whole city can begin.

Praying for the city and for people living in it

People praying for the church in Maribor

Prayer team from the STIK church

Praying with the pastor of Pentecostal church and others

He Lives for Maribor

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:3-6)

This words has been leading us ever since we moved to Maribor. From the beginning I have had the desire to bring all the churches in town together for a prayer meeting. I have been asking God for the unity of "Maribor church". Our great God the God of unity answered this prayer.

There is three established churches in Maribor - pentecostal, baptist, brethren - and 4 church plants. All the leaders agreed with my plan. On Saturday before easter (April 7th) all the churches will get together for the prayer event that we call "He Lives for Maribor".

Every church is going to climb one of the hills overseeing our city, and will pray over Maribor. Even though we won't be at the same mountain, we will lift our praises and prayers to the Lord at the same time. So our city will get covered with prayers coming from the hills. WE will be united in spirit, united in heart, united in activity, but in a safe environment.

When we are done praying everyone is invited to the pentecostal church for food and fellowship.

one church of Maribor, one spirit of God, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Join us in prayer for our city and for the lost people who need Him

indeed "HE LIVES FOR MARIBOR"

AMP CAMP

As we are starting the camp, our coworker sent our this mail that I'm sharing with you.

Brad wrote:

Today is a big day! In the midst of a dark and cold (spiritually and physically) February we are seeking to shine a powerful display of God's light into the lives of a bunch of high schoolers here in Slovenia. February seems to be the toughest month of the year for this country. As we've walked around and talked with many different people they all say they are tired and worn out. Feb has typically been the month were the most suicides have happened. Last week at our monthly staff meeting many of us shared at all the hardships we are facing right now. It seems like Satan has historically won a lot of battles this month, although we know he doesn't win the war. So, in light of our current and future victory we are taking a stand this month and putting on a rockin, amped up winter camp, called AMP. We've certainly all taken our hits from the evil one as he has sought to make this camp not happen…but, camp starts today. :)

AMP it up - camp fun

So we are back in schools. In the last three weeks, Brad and I (andrej) talked to over 800 high school students. We go from school to school promoting the AMP - Winter English Camp.

It has been so much fun to talk to so many young people. Now we need them to register and come to the camp. Join us in prayer for an AMPed up camp.

Third Place...reactive mission...serving our neighbors

These are three things we want to have on our minds all the time. Where do we meet new people, how do we present the gospel to them, how can we serve in His love.

Let me share three stories in this categories.

First

Last week two young people came and nock on our door. "Hi we are organizing christmas party for children of our village." Oh great we love those. That means our neighbors will be there, it means we will meet new people or talk with the once we know. "And who did you say you work with?" I asked. "The youth society of Zlatoličje." No way, we have that in our village? We actually have a organized group of youth that is active? And they nocked on our door? That is amazing. So we offered any kind of help and started teaching one of them english right away. We also offered any kind of youth work cooperation and agreed that we will meet again and talk about the work.

Second:

On tuesday after my volleyball game, we together with another team, celebrated christmas. It was traditional Slovene party. A lot of good food, drinks and music. My uncle played accordion, my father trumpet and I took drums. The whole group sang old slovene songs. Some were even dancing. All in all, a lot of fun. Yet there is even more. The team that was celebrating with us, was a group of high school professors from two different school. Nothing better than having fun with a bunch of future contacts.

Third:

For the last couple weeks I have been playing volleyball with a group of high school boys at my brother's school. Since he is the PE teacher it was easy to get in. The boys liked having me there so it was win win win win situation. This week my brother told me that at the beginning of next year he needs to organize after school volleyball program for boys. Since he is busy he offered me the job. What can be better? Volleyball, a group of high school boys, brother, and open door to a high school.

The Lord is obviously up to something good in Maribor. He is preparing the harvest. Join us in prayer for this city.

A picture form the party.

Eva...

This is our beloved daughter in whom we are well pleased.