EBF Easter message and more βοΈ π
Welcome to the latest edition of the EBF newsletter, where we bring you updates, insights, and stories from across our vibrant Baptist community.
EASTER MESSAGE FROM MATEUSZ
As the world embraces the tranquillity of the Holy Week, amidst the difficulties of today, we are reminded of the profound significance of Easter. It is a time to celebrate the ultimate message of hope, redemption, and love.
Our president Mateusz Wichary greets you with an Easter message from the book of Esther. Listen below.
BWA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE GATHERED IN WASHINGTON DC
by Alan Donaldson
Every Spring the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Executive Committee gathers in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside Washington DC. With participants from around the globe it is a great meeting place to consider global changes and missional priorities for the global Baptist family.
This year the 6 regional secretaries also gathered with the BWA General Secretary and other staff members for a couple of days reflecting on areas of shared vision. Across the globe we see examples of war and violence occurring between nations, within nations and within family homes. Sadly the church is drawn into these acts of violence and it is my desire that we find a way of expressing that our identity is primarily in Christ as a first step in becoming makers of peace. Most regions are also asking questions about how to raise up a new generation of discipled leaders to guide the church in the future and how to raise the necessary funding for transnational ministry.
Together we were also seeking to recognise a variety of priorities for the celebrations of 2033 when we celebrate 2000 years since the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Vision 2033 will include a variety of calls to fresh action in areas such as, bible engagement, neighbourhood engagement, mission engagement, care engagement and peacemaking engagement. Our hope is that every baptist around the globe will be able to engage in one local project that will lead to a global impact.
BAPTISTS REPRESENTED WELL AT THE REFUGEE HIGHWAY PARTNERSHIP ROUNDTABLE
by Will Cumbia
The annual Roundtable conference of the Refugee Highway Partnership in Warsaw, Poland on 22-24 of February once again brought together the community of Christian people emphasising ministry among displaced peoples, including a dedicated group of Baptists.
As the conference coincided with the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, an emphasis was placed on supporting Ukrainians, with a time of special prayer for all Ukrainians present.
Baptists from across the EBF network have been engaged with RHP for years and this year included nearly 30 Baptists.
INTRODUCING CESAR
We are delighted to announce that Cesar Sotomayor will be joining the EBF staff team in late Spring. Cesar will serve as our Church Planting Enabler giving leadership to our Mission Partnership Programme.
π JOIN OUR TEAM!π
Are you ready to work with purpose and to see lives transformed across nations? The European Baptist Federation is seeking an exceptional Operations Manager to drive excellence and innovation in our organisation!
As the Operations Manager, you will be the heartbeat of our ministry, overseeing resource management and organisational effectiveness between Baptists in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Your dynamic leadership will shape the future of baptist mission and ministry, empowering our diverse community to thrive.
SERVING TOGETHER: STORIES FROM CROATIA
by Helle Liht
On December 29, 2020, a devastating magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the areas of Petrinja, Sisak, and the rural districts of Banovina in central Croatia, approximately 50-70 km from the capital city of Zagreb.
Visiting this area in February 2024, more than three years after the earthquake, alongside Ε½eljko Mraz, General Secretary of Baptist Union of Croatia, and Filip GrujiΔ, pastor of the Zagreb Baptist Church, I gained a much clearer understanding of what it means to the people who endured this tragedy β 26 seconds that changed their lives.
NEW CHURCH IN CROATIA
by Daniel Trusiewicz
Baptists in Croatia make efforts to evangelize their society which results in the planting of a new congregation.
A new church plant is located in Krizevci, about 40 km from Varazdin, the mother church that backs up this new congregation. There are 15-20 people who during the last three years have been regularly meeting for a Bible study and prayer.
βWe have some amazing examples of how God can change a human heart. For instance, two men recently repented from a difficult life and were freed from addictions.β
MY FIRST TRAVEL WITH EBF
by Kadi Tingas
EBF convened two significant meetings in Izmir, Turkey: an Aid Consultation and the Executive Committee gathering. Both hosted by a lovely local church.
As the need for aid in our region has increased, the Aid consultation aimed to analyse and plan for the future. The participants exchanged ideas, shared best practices, and explored ways to enhance collaboration and effectiveness highlighting the Baptist commitment to serving others and making a positive impact on society.
The Executive Committee meeting served as a platform for strategic planning, decision-making and future directions.
As a total newbie to EBF, it was lovely to see how the core values of EBF came alive in those two gatherings - connecting, collaborating and challenging. Meeting Lebanese legends, hearing stories from faithful pastors in Ukraine or learning about the amazing aid work done by Hungarians wonβt leave you indifferent.
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