Stories from Serbia
Our friend Samir leads a newly planted church in Pavlovac, Serbia, mostly among Roma people. Many Roma people are very talented musicians, and earn an income by traveling across the country and playing at different celebrations, like birthday parties or weddings. When they return home, they usually get together to drink, gamble and party. When Samir planted his church, he started to build relationships and shared the good news with people. Then the gospel began to change lives and families.
Instead of spending money on drinking or gambling, families have have started to invest in the local church and to help those in need. Samir first started a home group, but as more and more people started attending with every meeting, he planted a church. And the people of Pavlovac were able to purchase the equipment needed to host regular services.
One owner of a local bar and gambling place asked Samir what was going on in his church. Samir was surprised by that question and told him, “Same as every time we gather. We worship, pray, and read the Bible together. Why do you ask?” The man then told him that he doesn’t have any customers anymore. All of them are going to church instead of going to his place.
Our Partners in Serbia shared, “Our Lord encounters people in his time and place, resulting their lives being changed forever by his love. We are thankful for this story of change and renewal, eternal purpose, faith, love and hope in the lives of local people in Pavlovac.”
In Belgrade, Center Church celebrates their first service in a new building.
In August, Center Church celebrated their first service in their new building! For a long time our Field Partners, Danko and Sladja Dudok, have been praying for a reliable location that’s big enough to host their church. There has never been an evangelical church in part of Belgrade where Center Church is now located. Over 90 people came for the first service.
Continue to pray for the Center Church team as they settle into a new community.