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Revival in the Balkans is a vision for radically accelerated church growth.
There is a dire spiritual situation in Bosnia and Croatia: churches are sparse, evangelical believers are few, and apathy to the gospel reigns. There are less than ten thousand Christians in Croatia and less than five hundred in Bosnia! Some church leaders and churches really want to make a difference and start more churches; but often their resources are low. Many feel it will take up to fifty years to see new churches develop in their areas. That is too long for the eight million people in Bosnia and Croatia to wait.
ECM wants to encourage visionary local leaders and churches in their aspirations to plant new churches and to reach the lost in their areas. Three key zones have been identified where local leaders and Christians are ready to begin now.
We want to help them strategically, encouraging them to do their part, and where they need extra resources, to come alongside them to help get the job done. As the Lord brings fruit, we are praying for other “cluster church planting zones” to open up and develop throughout Bosnia and Croatia.
Will you join with God’s people who are already working there? Will you help?
Stephen Bell, ECM Balkans
Kent
Anderson, ECM Britain
THE STRATEGY
- Mobilize a National Board of visionary leaders and pastors to envision, strategize and manage this vital initiative.
- Agree local strategies with churches that will result in a radical acceleration of church planting in these three zones.
- Recruit Brazilian and Ukrainian short-termers to provide a vibrant Christian presence alongside the national Christians.
- Provide ongoing training for those involved.
- Indentify potential new growth zones.
Prayer: We are seeking 10,000 committed intercessors for this region. We plan to:
- Co-ordinate prayer conferences
- Distribute prayer needs
- Report back with God's answers
Missionaries: Churches in Brazil and Ukraine are already planning to send short-term teams to be part of this. We hope to involve missionaries from other countries as well.
Finances: While we believe the Balkan churches should be the first to support this project, it will require money than they can provide. Therefore we hope to raise the difference in countries where the church has more resources.
You could be part of helping transform Bosnia and Croatia for Christ!
CHURCH PLANTING ZONES
1. VARAŽDIN, CROATIA
The Varaždin church was formed in the late 90’s, and is now a vibrant church of around 60 most of whom are first-generation Christians. In 2009, as ECM came into contact with them, they already had plans to plant a church in nearby Novi Marof. They started yet another new church project in Ivanec at the beginning of 2011.
Growth Vision: To plant churches in the 6 main towns of their county, including Gradić, Ludbreg and Lepoglava.
2. NOVI TRAVNIK, BOSNIA
The church in Novi Travnik started in 1996 as Radovan and his family became Christians just after the Bosnian war 1991-95. Many have come and gone and the church now has some 20 people attending. Amongst the population of 4 million, made up of Muslims, Roman Catholic and Orthodox, the gospel is virtually unknown. As a church we are reaching the lost with the Gospel message through the distribution of literature, radio, Internet and personal evangelism.
Growth vision: To plant churches firstly in Travnik, then in Vitez and Turbe.
3. DUBRAVA (ZAGREB), CROATIA
The Dubrava church was planted in 2004 by the Radićeva Baptist church with two missionary families. The Dubrava church is all but self-sufficient with many ministries and a congregation of 80 and growing. It is in the process of renovating a new church building, so it can reach more effectively out into the 160,000 people living around it.
Growth Vision: To plant churches in Dugo Selo (20,000 population) and Sesvete (60,000 population).
WORKERS FOR THE FIELD
We excitedly anticipate help from Brazil and Ukraine, the main countries mobilizing missionaries for this project.
PRAYER POINTS:
Please pray for:
- Many new Christians and new churches
- Workers from Brazil and Ukraine
- Finances for the project and workers
- The vision to grow
- The three church planting zones; Dubrava (Zagreb) and Varaždin from Croatia and Novi Travnik in Bosnia.
- Indentifying two more zones in Croatia and a zone in both Slovenia and Serbia.
- The mobilization trip to Brazil July 1-14
- The Strategic Conference for Mobilization and Vision: with leaders from Brazil and Ukraine, mobilizers, and leaders from the three initial church planting zones.
“Believe great things from God; attempt great things for God.“
For further information, please contact: revivalinthebalkans@ecmi.org
