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 evangelical church - Joyful News Church which meets in a synagogue. This is a constant reminder to both seminary students and church members of the importance each institution has to the other. Dr. Kraljik's vision is for the seminary to train both church leaders and those in the secular workforce theologically.

Jeremy and his Graduating Class

This past week, the seminary hosted several book launches, lectures and the premier of a sculpture dedicated to the seminary in Osijek. All of these events, in addition to the new students who have enrolled this academic year, point to a bright future for the Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Romanian Artist Liviu Mocan in front of his Five Alters of Revelation

Book Launch of "Discipleship Jesus' Way" by Ervin Budiselić

The New Living Room in the Seminary Library

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Chestnuts and Discipleship: A Fall Update

In small town Croatia, picking chestnuts is an autumn staple. Yesterday, I (Jeremy) had the opportunity to take a group of 5th through 7th graders from our church out chestnut picking. We've been meeting weekly ever since the school year started. When I asked what sort of activities they would like to do as a group, chestnut picking was one of the suggestions. Chestnuts grow inside a very well protected pouch which usually requires a knife to open. Most times there are three chestnuts inside each pouch. Early risers often find a bunch of chestnuts on the ground in the morning, but when we arrived in the afternoon most of them were already opened. Undeterred, one of us would shake the trees while the rest protected their heads. Once the chestnuts fell the kids raced to open the pouches as quickly as they safely could. I asked one of my friends at the church to go with us. Božidar (literally "God's gift") led us to a place where there were a lot of ch...

Camp Week 1: Children's Camp

Camps are back! It's been 5 years and a lot of reconstruction since camps were last in Orahovica, but they are finally underway. As a way of helping you get a better idea of what camps are like, how we are involved and how you can pray, we will be updating this site once a week with details about each camp. Camp Week 1: Children's Camp - July 5th through the 10th - Ages 6 through 9 - the requirement is that each child has finished first grade and are able to read and write. - The price of camp is $40. - This year, more than others, fewer people were able to pay the registration fee. The camp policy is to accept everyone and usually outside donations help to cover the cost of paying for the kids who can't. This year we were in the minus to start camps, but during the second day of camp someone donated money to pay for 16 kids who were unable to which turned out to be the exact amount needed to erase the deficit. Praise the Lord! - Please pray:...

First Baseball Game in Orahovica

On June 11th, our small town got to see their first baseball game ever! In mid-May, Jeremy met with a missionary in a city an hour away about the possibility of coordinating what would turn out to be the first game for both teams. The day was a huge success. Though Orahovica lost (9-7), it was a competitive and well attended event. Three representatives of the Croatian Baseball League came from Zagreb to umpire, and explain the rules to the spectators while the game was in progress. Jeremy had the chance to coach, pitch and hit. He also was able to have a great conversation with his assistant coach about Jesus after the game as they were packing up. Please keep him in your prayers. We have a need! Please consider how you may be able to help provide uniforms and catcher's equipment for our team. At this point we are using the other team's catcher's gear and are just using t-shirts during the game. But we have the p...

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