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Showing posts from 2023

A Big Step Towards a Fulfilled Vision in Zagreb

We are both grateful and excited to share the following news with you! Through conversations or a visit with us, you have likely heard of our vision to open a Center for Faith, Ethics and Culture. The first step to this was purchasing a building.  To make a long story short, this past June, Pastor Ratko signed the papers and our church has become owners of a property on the most well-known street in Zagreb!  Ilica, the most well-known street in Croatia. Our new facility is the white building on the left. Over the last several years, the Lord has planted a vision in the hearts and minds of the leadership of Stijena Spasenja (Rock of Salvation). In thinking and praying for our local church and our city, we have often been inspired by Timothy Keller. His words:   " Christians should seek to live in the city, not to use the city to build great churches, but to use the church’s resources to seek a great, flourishing city" helped articulate a vision for how our church relates...

A New Chapter at the Seminary

One of the most rewarding parts of our ministry in Croatia is the privilege Jeremy has of teaching at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. Over the last year or so, the seminary has both celebrated a major milestone and undergone a significant transition. Last December was the 50th anniversary celebration of the seminary which began in Zagreb, moved briefly to Slovenia in the early 90's during the war, and has been in Osijek for the last 40 years.  The Beginning of the '23-'24 Academic Year at ETS in Osijek While the seminary is significant to Central Europe, it's also important to our family. Petra's father had a large part in planting the vision and founding the seminary. Peter just retired from his role as the Dean this past summer. Below he's pictured with the new Dean.  Former Dean Peter Kuzmič with New Dean Dalibor Kraljik ETS houses the largest theological library in the former-Yugoslavia.  ETS Library It also shares its campus with the local ...

Fifty Years!

Camp in Orahovica was the single biggest reason Petra wanted to come back to Croatia when I first met her at Gordon College. She has gone to camp every summer since she was eleven years old with 2020 being the only exception because of the pandemic. Even when she went to high school and college in the States, she came to Croatia every summer to volunteer at camp. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the first camp. Petra's been to the majority of them.  Our slogan is "a meeting place". "Encounter" would be another way to translate it. Camp in Orahovica is a place where thousands have encountered the Lord. Throughout its 50 year history, God has been faithful. He has used his people in this place to call campers to himself and renew their relationship with him.  It's also a place where valuable relationships with others have been fostered. This year we had a couple speak at our family camp from Belgrade, Serbia. While the husband had never been to this pa...