As for today, here's a pic, but it just doesn't capture what happened. Today there was an amazing Spirit among us. We had many guests there which is always encouraging. We also saw our core group of leaders (approximately 6 families total) really rise to the occasion. They were full engaged in worship and really to give themselves to Jesus. Also, my friend and worship co-leader Damir preached on giving and did a great job! With out any religion and with full freedom he spoke the word that was on his heart and really ministered to the body. (Interestingly enough, about 4 weeks ago we were wondering why we felt under such attack. Now we know why.) We're excited for all the progress in the last few weeks and are believing for more. One other thing, there were 22 (ish) adults there this morning and 23 adults last week (plus kids) and our little space is packed out. Please begin praying with us for a new space in the city that would facilitate the growth we're experiencing and a place where we could worship more freely. There's not even room to stand up in this space.
Last week we had a baptism. Ivana is a girl who had a very difficult past full of disappointment and difficult family dynamics. She resorted to lots of different things to fill the empty spot in her soul, but nothing worked. Finally she found herself in a place where she was so afraid of people that she would avoid contact as much as possible. She couldn't hold a job. She had few friends. One of the girls in our church was a childhood friend of Ivana's and she kept reaching out to her. Eventually she came to church and found Jesus there, but was still paralyzed by fear. One day when a guest speaker came and the city church had a larger gathering of churches, she asked for prayer and was dramatically (in that moment) set free from her fear. The next day she went out and found a job as a salesperson in retail! She now talks to people all day everyday! It's a dramatic story of turn around. She still struggles with those lies, but has the power to overcome them now...and so she decided that she wants to be baptized. She invited her whole family to the event as well as co-workers and friends. Many of them came and flooded our little church. The whole experience was brand new for them, but they were touched even to the point of tears. It was a beautiful baptism where she boldly and with tears gave her testimony in front of a group of friends, family, and her church. There are a few pictures below of the baptism (and one of Lizzie at the baptism that was just cute).
Ivana being baptized by Goran.
Worshipping after baptism with a few of my worship team (Juliana, Nerka, James, Ivana)
Cute pic of Lizzie. :-)
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