LESSONS FROM CROATIA
Welsh Christians could learn a lot from the Baptists of Croatia writes Pembroke Baptist Pastor Rob James.
Returning from a two-week visit which was organised to celebrate 25 years of links with Croatian churches, Rob said: “People say a week is a long time in politics but as far as I am concerned a quarter of a century is but a fleeting moment when it comes to Christian fellowship. I first got involved with Croatian Baptists when civil war broke out in 1991 and a close friend felt he ought to take humanitarian aid which could be distributed through their newly formed organisation ‘My Neighbour’.
“It has proved to be a deeply humbling and hugely inspiring experience. We have built long lasting and very deep friendships with our Christian brothers and sisters and we can look back with a sense of wonder when we think about the staggering amount of aid we have been able to take there over the years.”
The recent trip was no humanitarian mission, explained Rob. “More than 60 of us travelled by coach to Rijeka, including Lynne and Geoff from Tabernacle.” he explained. “We wanted to celebrate our 25 years of partnership in the new pastoral centre currently being built by the local Baptist church. We have been intimately involved in this project from the beginning. The foundation stone was laid in 2004 and we are amazed when we think of the progress that this small group of people has made. The new building (which has a roof shaped like praying hands) is in use, even if not completed and has cost more than a million Euros to date. They have raised much of the cash themselves – although they have been hugely encouraged by two amazing donations in particular. A German business man gave a gift of half a million Euros and even their bank gave them a further 100,000 Euros to further the work. As I see it their story is a both a testimony to their commitment and to God’s goodness and I can’t wait to see it completed”.
OPPORTUNITY
Expressing his deepest thanks on behalf of Rijeka Baptist Church, Srecko Ilionsovic said “When the war started there were some 80 or 90 people in our church. Things were very different then and because of this the church had a very different mindset. The repressive communist regime did not welcome social engagement and we could not do any work in the community. That meant we were closed in upon ourselves. However, things began to change in the two years before the war, and when it finally broke out we seized our opportunity and began to distribute humanitarian aid. This was our biggest form of outreach and as a result of it we developed good links and great credibility within our community”.
“But now we are facing new challenges. We do not need humanitarian aid in the way we did before, although there are some 400.000 unemployed in Croatia and we do some work with refugees fleeing through Bosnia. Standards have changed too. Institutions that we once helped, such as the hospital, would not be content with second hand equipment now. This new multi-functional centre will help us continue to engage with the community, although our main goal is still that of reaching people with the message of the Christian gospel. The centre will allow us to do much more than hold Sunday Services. If it were just used for that we would not need it at all”.
He added, “ We have no idea when the Pastoral Centre will be finished but that is not our focus; our focus is on mission not on the building”
Reflecting on the past 25 years team leader and Skewen-based John Thomas said: “I’ve been planning this trip for over a year The original intention was to be present at the official opening of the Pastoral Centre but when we realised they would not be able to complete it in time we turned it into a holiday and celebration of a quarter century of mission and fellowship. Our Christian brothers and sisters gave us a truly wonderful welcome and we had a really blessed service on the Sunday morning. It was a very, very special occasion for every one of us. We worshipped together, we sang for them and I was privileged to preach the sermon. We reflected on all that had happened.” I was presented with a plaque to mark the occasion. The service concluded with communion, Pastor Rob James assisting at the table. This was followed by a fantastic lunch that had to be seen to be believed.
“As for the future, we hope to be present at their official opening but looking back on this trip I think I am reflecting everyone’s feelings when I say it has been a wonderful time and we thank God for his travelling mercies. I was in my mid 50’s when all this started and I never ever dreamed that it would end up like this, although we all know that it hasn’t ended yet”.
Our grateful thanks to Rob for allowing us to use this extract from an article he wrote for local newspapers in Pembrokeshire.
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Speakers for Sunday Services in October
2nd: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Rev. Robert James
9th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho (Harvest)
p.m. Pastor Peter Cho
16th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Rev. Priscilla Pierson
23rd: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor Peter Palmer
30th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Mr. Geoff Champion
Dates for your Diary:
Tuesday 4th:: 6.30p.m. Chosen People Ministry
Tuesday 4th: 12.30p.m. Community Luncheon Club
Thursday 6th: 7.00p.m. G.B.A. (Zion, Cwmcarn)
Sunday 9th: 11.00a.m. Harvest Service
Monday 10th: 7.00p.m. Harvest Supper
Tuesday 11th: 10.00a.m. Funeral of Heather Davies
Thursday 20th: 12.30p.m. Community Luncheon Club
GWENT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
The Gwent Baptist Association Autumn Council Meeting will be held at Zion Baptist Church, Cwmcarn on Thursday, 6th October (7.00p.m.). The guest speaker will be the Rev. Simeon Baker, Director of Mission, Baptist Union of Wales.