Balkan Regional Conference
Altogether 34 (14 missionaries, 10 local shepherds, 8 second genes) attended.(Bonn Germany 4, Bulgaria 3, Serbia 11, Greece 1, Romania 4, Macedonia 10 and Korea 1). Balkan leaders were S. Georgi from Bulgaria, S. Mariyan from Serbia, S. Bogdan from Romania, Alek, Toni and Krstna from Macedonia
Dr. Peter Chang supported us by coming with S. Heidi who played the guitar with S. Alek while M. Cathy Kang played the piano. Second gen Maria Lee took care of 8 second gens so that we could concentrate on the messages. Romanian delegates drove 14 hours to come to the conference.
The first night, lecture 1, "Thirsty and Eternal Life," (Jn. 4) was delivered by S. Georgi of Bulgaria, touching all our hearts like the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
S. Marjan of Serbia and S. Heidi of Bonn, Germany shared their graceful life testimonies.
The second lecture, "The Prodigal Son," (Lk. 15) was given by M. Barnabas Kang of Macedonia. His message was so heart moving that many shed tears, beginning with S. Krstna. M. Monica Jung of Romania shared her testimony, giving much grace by her decision of faith to overcome many difficulties and challenges.
The third lecture, "Jesus, the True Vine," (Jn. 15) was given by M. Daniel Ko of Serbia. He showed how to bear fruit through faithful Bible reading and regular one to one Bible study.
The fourth lecture, "Elisha Asked for a Double Portion of the Spirit," (2 Kings 2) was delivered by S. Spurgeon from Korea. It gave a clear direction to all our missionaries.
On the second night, we went downtown to eat at a traditional restaurant and for a Balkan festival night with traditional dancing. The Macedonian team prepared "Makedonsko Deboiche"(Macedonian girl) while other delegates danced and sang traditional Balkan songs, too. It helped us to be like Paul to do all for all to save some. Newcomer S. Krstna was so moved by this conference that she decided to read the whole Bible.
We had our own limitation as one house church to prepare for the Balkan Regional Conference. But when we looked to Jesus with our five loaves and two fish, God blessed us abundantly. God allowed 5 Macedonian members who are still young to take part in the conference preparation with our house church. In this way, we experienced that God himself is pleased to spread the Word of God not only in Balkans but in all nations of the world. We could see the great vision that God can use Macedonia and the Balkans to feed all of Europe and the 233 nations of the world.
God blessed the Balkan Regional Conference held on May 23-25 in Struga, Macedonia. May 24 was a very meaningful day for Balkan people because the Slavic language was made on that day. The conference place, Skopje, is known as the Galilee of the Balkans where Macedonian saints such as Naum and Clement studied the Word of God and made disciples. Thank you for your prayers,
In Christ,
From Macedonia
M. Petra Kang