Last week found me again in Crikvenica on the coast, for our annual church spiritual renewal retreat. I helped lead worship and also helped lead the teen discussion group. We talked about the topics the teens wanted to discuss, along the line of what keeps people from believing in Jesus. We also took them one evening to a Christian teen event in the nearby city of Rijeka. As guests, we also had a group of 30 college students who are studying in Vienna this semester. They are from Lipscomb University, Oklahoma Christian University, and Rochester College. I was responsible for coordinating the logistics for them.

Last week I participated in the annual conference of the Council of Churches of Christ in Croatia. I attended, along with Vatroslav Župančić (our publications and church relations coordinator), representing Biblijski institut. The Institute is actually legally registered as part of the Council, so we went to give a report on our activities of the last year. This also gives us, and the churches, an opportunity to hear current joys, successes, and challenges, and to pray with and for each other. Below is my presentation that I shared with the group.

Last weekend was one of those that was consumed by work. It started Friday morning with a summer camp meeting at the church in Varaždin (an hour’s drive north of Zagreb), with which our congregation in Zagreb frequently partners. A group of us from our two churches are planning a camp for our teens this summer. We have been developing curriculum, the schedule, our budget, staff roster, camp rules, and more. We are excited to share Jesus with our teens through this experience.

Putting together teen camp

Preaching on Sunday

About three weeks ago we had what was probably the biggest snowfall in the last two years. I was supposed to go to Split that weekend to teach the second half of my class with the students who are involved in our extension program in that city. Needless to say, I didn’t make it. The next day I went over to the Sibleys’ house to help them dig out. They have about a 50 yard long driveway and it is quite a job to clear. I’m now in Split this weekend to finish my class.

Steps to the front door

In front of the garage

The driveway

Beside my apartment

Last month we celebrated with Tom (Institute Director) and Sandra Sibley two anniversaries: 50 years of their marriage and 15 years of their service in Croatia. About 100 of us gathered at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb for this great event. We were even able to bring all of their children and grandchildren from the USA to join in the celebration. Tom and Sandra have given themselves completely to this work the last 15 years, and to God’s Kingdom in general for most of their lives. It was a privilege and honor to share with them in this celebration.

Tom and Sandra

With all of their children and grandchildren

Prayers from our church leaders

Last Sunday we had a visit at our church in Zagreb by a couple of our Institute graduates (Andrej and Nina Lovše), along with some people from their congregation in Slovenia. Andrej and Nina moved back to their native Slovenia after graduation from the Institute in Zagreb and are now planting a growing church in the city of Maribor, largely from the outreach to youth in which they are involved. This group visited our worship service on Sunday, shared lunch with us afterwards, and then used our baptistry for the baptism of the newest addition to their church. It was a great celebration with God’s family from two different countries!

After spending almost a month in Texas visiting family and supporters, and sending out year-end mailings for both myself and the Institute, I am back at work in Zagreb. We started off the new year in a great way. On January 9 and 10, we invited children from our previous Champs Camps to our building for two days of Bible lessons and fun activities. Our theme was “Frozen,” inspired by last year’s movie. We talked about how the love of Jesus “unfreezes” us, like at the end of that movie. So much joy all around!

The whole camp

Fantastic Arna Bogešić teaching the group

Making “snowmen”

A frozen “statue” on the playground

The fall colors this year on the trees in the park, outside my apartment, were really beautiful…