2nd Slovakia Conference

It has once again been an amazing trip to Slovakia to train leaders. Danny and I flew into Vienna and, after a short nap Saturday afternoon, spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning exploring this beautiful city. We had the opportunity to attend mass in the famous St. Stephen’s cathedral. Sunday afternoon we took the bus to the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. That evening we connected with our training partner, Lukas, and a pastor friend, Pasho. We shared dinner, caught up with what has happened since our last trip, and discussed the plans for Monday’s conference.
Monday we spent the day with about 40 leaders, most of them next generation leaders who are breaking new ground in this country which has passed Albania now as the most atheistic country in the world. The people are not antagonistic toward the church, they just dismiss it as non-relevant and lacking authenticity. I love hanging out with Lukas and Pasho because they are doing something about that as they lead their churches to think outside the norm and reach the unreachable. We met some of Pasho’s new leaders and they are full of energy, vision and excitement. They are hungry for effective tools and principles that will help the church lead the transformation of their country. Danny did a great job with his first experience in training leaders outside of his own church. He connected well with some of the leaders and was able to spend some personal time with them between sessions and at other times.
After the conference we shared dinner with a wonderful group of young Catholic leaders who are taking the gospel all over this country, concentrating on small rural villages. They have gained a lot of influence and are becoming well known. We discussed some ideas on capturing and sustaining their momentum by giving weekly DVD’s of their Wednesday night service in Bratislava to home leaders in the villages where they have made in-roads. They too are hungry for tools to help them be more effective and we plan on connecting them to leaders at CAML who can serve as coaches and friends.
We spent all day Tuesday brainstorming for the future. I am so amazed at how smart God is. He has strategically placed CAML here to make connections that will make us stronger and help Europe. There are so many opportunities to partner with Element Church in Czech Republic. Lukas and Dita, their pastors and our partners here, have a huge vision and some amazing methods for reaching the next generation. Their church has 70 countries represented in their young congregation. They are about to make a move to a bigger location and are doing a virtual re-launch. We have always thought the most effective missions would be through connecting with a local church and working with them as a resource. Even Albania opened to us as we strategized for the future.
Today we are in Kosice for our conference. We are teaching 360 degree Leader. The question and discussion times are my favorite because we share real life with each other. Danny and I just spent an hour answering questions about going through a church rebellion from opposite ends and how God brought reconciliation and restoration. I really didn’t like digging up some of that stuff but I think the group found it very helpful. Danny then shared how the experience helped him be a better leader in working with leaders above him and leaders beside him.
Lukas is such a blessing. I think he will be at CAML in May so everywhere will have an opportunity to fall in love with him like I have. Thank God for the divine connections that have brought us together and have linked our churches as partners in God’s fantastic vision. I am looking forward to spending time with new friends tonight over dinner. Some of the ideas that are being birthed here this week are going to change the world in amazing ways.
More updates tomorrow.