VISIT TO NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH, TUZLA, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA
AND BETEL BAPTIST CHURCH, SISAK, CROATIA
John Lillywhite 11-17th Oct 2006
The reasons for this visit was twofold; firstly, to meet with Zeljko and Leila
to continue building relationships and encourage them and the New Hope community
during their current difficulties. Secondly, to visit Betel Baptist Church in
Sisak, who are forging a partnership with New Hope and who had asked to meet me
with a view to including them in the partnership with SBC and also with LHM.
Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A
cord of three strands is not easily broken”
Wed 11th Oct
I flew to Sarajevo, accompanied by Bernard Lord, an elder at Worthing Elim, who
had visited Zeljko with Richard Brunton in the past. We met Zeljko at Sarajevo
Airport and drove to Tuzla, giving a good opportunity for Zeljko to brief me on
the current situation.
Thurs 12th Oct
Zeljko, Bernard and I travelled to Sisak in Croatia to meet the people at Betel
Baptist Church. Sisak is south of Zagreb and close to northeast Bosnia and a
five-hour drive through north Bosnia and across the Vukovar/Slovonia regions of
Croatia - sites of many battles during the Balkan War.
Betel Church, similar in size to SBC, with about 100 members and active youth
groups. The church has a chapel, guest apartment, Bible teaching course room and
a computer-training centre. Services are held on Sunday and Thursday evening
with prayer meetings most days at 5 am.
Pastor Milos Komanovic (Mika to his friends) is a former black belt karate
expert (we were very polite to him!) and is a friendly, gracious and humble man
of God. I also met Tea Deak, a close friend of Zeljko and Leila, who is active
in youth work in Sisak and Tuzla, and who runs the computer-training centre. Tea
is waiting to be accepted by ROM (Renewal of Minds), a Christian Charity working
for re-conciliation between war-damaged children of all ethnic groups.
I was invited to share in the Thursday evening service, and spoke about SBC and
LHM, my time living in Bosnia, and my burden for God’s work there. I spoke
briefly of our unity in Christ, despite language and culture (John 17). Zeljko
preached about Moses and the grumbling Jews! Stephen Etches, an English
professor in systematic theology, who works for OM, is currently running Bible
courses from Sisak.
Fri 13th Oct
Before travelling back to Tuzla, I had further fellowship with Mika, who said he
would like to be part of the partnership with Zeljko and SBC God willing. He is
keen for his church to get involved in mission, and is planning mission into
north Bosnia with Zeljko. He was very interested in the work of LHM.
Sat 14th Oct
Time with Zeljko, Leila and family. I visited the new church apartment. It is on
the seventh floor and has a large room for church services, holding around forty
people, and a large room for Sunday school, youth activities and Bible classes,
and a fully equipped kitchen. Praise God - He has blessed New Hope with a good
place with room to grow and hold many events.
Zeljko shared some concerns at this time; financial issues, threats to women of
the church, mostly widows, from neighbours and imams, who are pronouncing curses
to threatening violence and worse. In addition, the loss of the leader and his
wife (a Serb) at Illidza church, near Sarajevo; they have returned to Serbia
after many serious threats to her from the radical Muslim community and the
general lack of leadership for the groups at Travnik and Jajce, putting great
pressure on Zeljko to visit these churches regularly.
Sunday 15th Oct
About thirty were present for the Sunday service at New Hope - it was good to
meet many familiar faces and some new. The Coralic girls were there and it was
great to see them again, even though they remembered Julia better than me! - she
was a big hit with them!
Following prayer and worship, I brought SBC and LHM greetings, and then preached
from Romans 8:28-31. The sermons have to be simple as there is still little
Bible knowledge. I spoke of God being with us through difficult times in order
to draw us closer to Him, to trust Him more, strengthen our faith and using
these situations to perfect us to be more like Jesus. Prayer was offered for the
people who did not know Christ as Saviour to put their faith in Him and for
those who did, to come boldly and expectantly to Him with their problems and
find comfort and peace. After the service, we had opportunity to fellowship with
the people and meet new members. Encouragingly, two men who have recently joined
the church, Slobodan, a designer and parachutist (1000+ jumps too date!) and
Enver, an ex-boxer.
Monday 16th Oct
7 am, and Bernard and I were up to go to school with Martina and share in her
English lesson. It is an excellent, well-equipped Catholic school, funded by
Croatia. The children in the class, about twenty, were great - very attentive
and polite.
Later, we visited the Coralic family home to meet the girls, Sanela, Sandra,
Jasmina and brother Sanel and their parents, Selma being at school. We were made
very welcome and were invited to share lunch with them - usual delicious,
mega-calorie Bosnian food! This was the first time I had met the girls’ parents.
They are still poor but working hard to improve their lives. Their house is
small, but comfortable and warm now - but seven of them in three rooms and that
includes the kitchen! All four girls are Christians; the older girls are very
active in leading the youth groups and Sandra, the second oldest, has preached
occasionally. Jasmina told me she is now feeling well. Fikretta, the mother,
comes to church now and Jasmin, the father, disabled from the war with shrapnel
lodged in his leg and shoulder - he showed us his x-rays - is waiting to go to
hospital to have the metal removed; he may then be able to work. He welcomed us
warmly and was pleased for me to pray for the family and for God’s blessing on
their home.
We then visited Maria. She has been a Christian for 18 months and lives alone.
Her house had been broken into and everything taken but the church family has
found everything she needs. She has been healed of a severe stomach disorder;
and is praising God for her new life in Christ.
After farewells, we travelled home on Tuesday.
* * *
Zeljko felt this trip was perfectly timed by God as he was in need of fellowship
and encouragement. We have been concerned for some time about isolation in his
ministry and I feel current events; the loss of the old church, threats and
family issues, were causing him to become very discouraged. Zeljko was
encouraged by our fellowship and our counsel and prayers. It is a pleasure and
privilege from God to be able to share with Zeljko and family and be so warmly
received and cared for by them. It is also encouraging to know that an
experienced pastor like Mika is now supporting Zeljko.
I feel the trip was very worthwhile in that several seeds have been sown in
ministry and foundations laid to strengthen our partnership with New Hope and
Sisak as we all work together.
God has answered many prayers for Zeljko and his church but we need to keep
praying for God’s work in building His Church in Bosnia, and for the people, as
they endure many difficulties; persecution, financial difficulties and family
problems. It is still an “early church” situation.
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