Learning who Jesus is in Slovakia

"This is what we want the thousands of Roma people in Slovakia to know" saysWendell McClung, AGWM personnel in Slovakia. "We as a team want to introduce Jesus to this people group. As they come to our events, our prayer is that they will experience Jesus and choose to let Him be the Lord of their lives."

Such an event took place in June in Sobrance! Over 800 people were introduced to Jesus and over 300 accepted Jesus as their Savior. Upon arrival to the Convoy of Hope event, the guests were given hot food. The kids went to a tent where they were ministered to by a team from Wisconsin. The adults went to another tent where they heard praise and worship music, testimonies and preaching, all in the Roma language.

The team held four services that day and believe that all present were given an understanding of who Jesus is. When each group left, they were sent home with a Bible and a bag of non-perishable food items. Now these new converts need prayer.

The next day a traditional style "church service" was held with a separate kids ministry area. There were an estimated 200 adults and 70 kids in attendance. As of this writing, they have had four services and will continue to meet weekly. The McClungs are so thankful to all who worked, ministered, prayed and gave so this "church" could be planted. Their desire is to make disciples of these new Roma converts. The follow-up ministry in Sobrance is key to keeping this harvest. There are trained kids ministry workers and pastoral leadership in place to see that this church plant becomes a vibrant place where others can get to know "who Jesus is".

"This is what we want the thousands of Roma people in Slovakia to know" says Wendell McClung, AGWM personnel in Slovakia. "We as a team want to introduce Jesus to this people group. As they come to our events, our prayer is that they will experience Jesus and choose to let Him be the Lord of their lives."

Such an event took place in June in Sobrance! Over 800 people were introduced to Jesus and over 300 accepted Jesus as their Savior. Upon arrival to the Convoy of Hope event, the guests were given hot food. The kids went to a tent where they were ministered to by a team from Wisconsin.The adults went to another tent where they heard praise and worship music, testimonies and preaching, all in the Roma language.

The team held four services that day and believe that all present were given an understanding of who Jesus is. When each group left, they were sent home with a Bible and a bag of non-perishable food items. Now these new converts need prayer.

The next day a traditional style "church service" was held with a separate kids ministry area. There were an estimated 200 adults and 70 kids in attendance. As of this writing, they have had four services and will continue to meet weekly. The McClungs are so thankful to all who worked, ministered, prayed and gave so this "church" could be planted. Their desire is to make disciples of these new Roma converts. The follow-up ministry in Sobrance is key to keeping this harvest. There are trained kids ministry workers and pastoral leadership in place to see that this church plant becomes a vibrant place where others can get to know "who Jesus is".

A God Who Answers Prayer in Italy

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28 These virtues mentioned by Luke require a supernatural enabling because our natural reaction is to fight back. So when difficult times arise, how do we respond to those who mistreat us? Bob and Lynne Rose, AGWM personnel pastoring an international church in Rome, Italy state that the internationals in their church are sometimes challenged with a daily struggle to live in victory when situations in their life are trying. The relate the following challenge in the life of one of their congregants. “Anna* is a Filipina lady who began attending our international church 7 years ago when we first planted it. She had been raised in a very traditional church but had not been taught how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. She soon grew in her faith and was gentle and kind.

“One Sunday she came forward for prayer, weeping as she told us about her employer who had been mistreating her for more than 20 years. She worked long hours but on holidays was forced to work almost all night or was threatened with losing her job. One day while working, Anna became very ill and asked her employer if she could go home. He responded, ‘Just take a couple of aspirins and keep working or you’re fired!’ We prayed with Anna but told her that she, too, needed to learn to pray on her own. We told her that she now had a personal relationship with God and He would hear her prayers, so Anna began to pray and lift up her needs before God. “One day her employer asked, ‘Anna, are you talking to somebody?’ He had watched as she moved her mouth. She answered, ‘No one is here but me.’ She didn’t realize that she was praying even while she worked. This past November for her birthday, for the first time ever, her employer gave her a gift. She was so shocked because in all the years she had worked for him, he had never given her anything. Not only did he give her a gift, he began to treat her with kindness. Anna’s prayers had been answered!

“Recently at a Wednesday evening service, Anna came especially to see us. She couldn’t wait to tell us her testimony! She couldn’t believe that God had heard her prayers. It was such a boost to her faith and joy filled her heart as she realized that the God of the universe cared about what she cared about. He loves it when we bless those who mistreat us and pray for them. He hears and answers!”

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28 These virtues mentioned by Luke require a supernatural enabling because our natural reaction is to fight back. So when difficult times arise, how do we respond to those who mistreat us? Bob and Lynne Rose, AGWM personnel pastoring an international church in Rome, Italy state that the internationals in their church are sometimes challenged with a daily struggle to live in victory when situations in their life are trying. The relate the following challenge in the life of one of their congregants.

“Anna* is a Filipina lady who began attending our international church 7 years ago when we first planted it. She had been raised in a very traditional church but had not been taught how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. She soon grew in her faith and was gentle and kind.

“One Sunday she came forward for prayer, weeping as she told us about her employer who had been mistreating her for more than 20 years. She worked long hours but on holidays was forced to work almost all night or was threatened with losing her job. One day while working, Anna became very ill and asked her employer if she could go home. He responded, ‘Just take a couple of aspirins and keep working or you’re fired!’ We prayed with Anna but told her that she, too, needed to learn to pray on her own. We told her that she now had a personal relationship with God and He would hear her prayers, so Anna began to pray and lift up her needs before God.

“One day her employer asked, ‘Anna, are you talking to somebody?’ He had watched as she moved her mouth. She answered, ‘No one is here but me.’ She didn’t realize that she was praying even while she worked. This past November for her birthday, for the first time ever, her employer gave her a gift. She was so shocked because in all the years she had worked for him, he had never given her anything. Not only did he give her a gift, he began to treat her with kindness. Anna’s prayers had been answered!

“Recently at a Wednesday evening service, Anna came especially to see us. She couldn’t wait to tell us her testimony! She couldn’t believe that God had heard her prayers. It was such a boost to her faith and joy filled her heart as she realized that the God of the universe cared about what she cared about. He loves it when we bless those who mistreat us and pray for them. He hears and answers!”

Art Expo for Refugees in Spain

Oasis Center in Madrid, Spain is an outreach to immigrants and refugees offering much practical help as they share living hope in Jesus. Ariel Rainey, AGWM personnel there tells of a special event held recently. “We offered an art exposition for a week this month, featuring artwork from several Spanish artists, donated for auction to benefit the Oasis refugee ministry. We were able to auction off several pieces, raising over 1000 Eurosand we'll still be collecting bids over time on other pieces.

“We have many ministries ongoing under the umbrella of "Oasis" and a significant part is our refugee ministry. Most of our refugee work is outside of the Oasis building; it's in the refugee centers, in our apartments over dinner, in the city of Madrid while we're helping refugees find jobs and apartments, or even over coffee while we talk about Jesus and pray together.

“This event gave our entire team a chance to operate in different gifts, whether painting "live" or serving our guests or doing the publicity and public relations. We all got to join together for a worthy cause - bringing the gospel to refugees.”

Oasis Center in Madrid, Spain is an outreach to immigrants and refugees offering much practical help as they share living hope in Jesus. Ariel Rainey, AGWM personnel there tells of a special event held recently.

“We offered an art exposition for a week this month, featuring artwork from several Spanish artists, donated for auction to benefit the Oasis refugee ministry. We were able to auction off several pieces, raising over 1000 Eurosand we'll still be collecting bids over time on other pieces.

“We have many ministries ongoing under the umbrella of "Oasis" and a significant part is our refugee ministry. Most of our refugee work is outside of the Oasis building; it's in the refugee centers, in our apartments over dinner, in the city of Madrid while we're helping refugees find jobs and apartments, or even over coffee while we talk about Jesus and pray together.

“This event gave our entire team a chance to operate in different gifts, whether painting "live" or serving our guests or doing the publicity and public relations. We all got to join together for a worthy cause - bringing the gospel to refugees.”

Coffee Shop Encounters in Barcelona

AGWM Personnel in Spain, Nick Seders, share this great testimony of God’s saving grace. “Several months ago, we noticed that a new coffee shop was to open below our office. We were excited by the possibility of convenient coffee and croissant runs but also the opportunity to intentionally welcome new people into the neighborhood. “As soon as the espresso machine and panini makers were firing on all 220 volts, our whole team went down to say hello and purchase some café con leche. We introduced ourselves as the ICB staff, pointed out our office just two buildings over, and told them to expect us back (because, honestly, they make some of the best coffee in the neighborhood)!

“Within days, the siblings that own the shop asked one of our teammates if we could come pray for the business and the space. Though not Christians themselves, their parents were Catholic, and they knew that it'd make them happy; plus, the previous business had closed because of a violent crime–so it couldn’t hurt to have a “priest” bless the place.

“A week or so later, we all went down after morning devotions, and gathered around a few tables to pray. Our teammate then asked the sister, brother, and sister-in-law how we could pray, and all of us took a moment to bless and intercede for them. The family was extremely grateful, and we were honored by the opportunity to pray–ultimately that the coffee shop would become a shining light for the community, even if the owners didn’t yet know what that would mean.

“In the following months, staff members could be found in the coffee shop almost daily. We would invite them to events and the sister-in-law did attend our Easter Egg Hunt with her toddler. Then this past Sunday, the sister came to our evening church gathering right after the shop closed. She was warmly welcomed. As the message came to a close, Pastor John gave the congregation an opportunity to respond in prayer, to make a decision to follow Jesus and receive a fresh start. Her hand went up immediately! We could all see how moved she was, with tear-filled eyes and a huge smile.

“On Tuesday, some of us went down to the coffee shop right away. When asked how she was doing, her response was, ‘Because of Sunday, I’m great!’ She was visibly excited by her new belief in Jesus, and couldn’t wait to tell others about the great things that are happening at the international church up the street. After three months of constant contact with Christ-followers, a member of the family has decided to follow Christ. That coffee shop is well on its way to becoming a shining light in Barcelona!

AGWM Personnel in Spain, Nick Seders, share this great testimony of God’s saving grace. “Several months ago, we noticed that a new coffee shop was to open below our office. We were excited by the possibility of convenient coffee and croissant runs but also the opportunity to intentionally welcome new people into the neighborhood.

“As soon as the espresso machine and panini makers were firing on all 220 volts, our whole team went down to say hello and purchase some café con leche. We introduced ourselves as the ICB staff, pointed out our office just two buildings over, and told them to expect us back (because, honestly, they make some of the best coffee in the neighborhood)!

“Within days, the siblings that own the shop asked one of our teammates if we could come pray for the business and the space. Though not Christians themselves, their parents were Catholic, and they knew that it'd make them happy; plus, the previous business had closed because of a violent crime–so it couldn’t hurt to have a “priest” bless the place.

“A week or so later, we all went down after morning devotions, and gathered around a few tables to pray. Our teammate then asked the sister, brother, and sister-in-law how we could pray, and all of us took a moment to bless and intercede for them. The family was extremely grateful, and we were honored by the opportunity to pray–ultimately that the coffee shop would become a shining light for the community, even if the owners didn’t yet know what that would mean.

“In the following months, staff members could be found in the coffee shop almost daily. We would invite them to events and the sister-in-law did attend our Easter Egg Hunt with her toddler. Then this past Sunday, the sister came to our evening church gathering right after the shop closed. She was warmly welcomed. As the message came to a close, Pastor John gave the congregation an opportunity to respond in prayer, to make a decision to follow Jesus and receive a fresh start. Her hand went up immediately! We could all see how moved she was, with tear-filled eyes and a huge smile.

“On Tuesday, some of us went down to the coffee shop right away. When asked how she was doing, her response was, ‘Because of Sunday, I’m great!’ She was visibly excited by her new belief in Jesus, and couldn’t wait to tell others about the great things that are happening at the international church up the street. After three months of constant contact with Christ-followers, a member of the family has decided to follow Christ. That coffee shop is well on its way to becoming a shining light in Barcelona!