SPOTLIGHT Central Europe

Our Visit to Szczecin Poland

2010-03-08T14:12:59-05:00

Szczecin Poland is a fascinating city. Once a thriving center of Europe's shipping industry, its people remain warm, friendly, and hard working. Though the city is in a time of transition it seems that there is a bright future ahead.

Part of that bright future are Assemblies of God Missionaries Dennis and Diane Holcomb (Photo on right) who are giving of themselves to helping others. On the day we visited with them we attended a meeting of local pastors and their wives. The meeting was organized by Dennis and Diane who have been working hard to build strong relationships with and among the pastors of that region. They are both well accepted and loved by the pastors, their wives and the people of their community.

A Look to the Past: In 1979 Sherry visited Szczecin as a college student. She stayed with a family there in the city. When I told the gathering of pastors that Sherry had been there in 1979, one of the women smiled and said that she remembered Sherry staying at her family house. Another women said that she too remembered Sherry being there and how exciting it was to have an "American" visit their home. It seems that Sherry was the first American they had ever met. The women gave us the address of the apartment where her parents lived. We went to the address and took a photo in the front of the building. See the photo above.

New A/G Missionary Family in Slovakia

2010-02-25T10:58:49-05:00

It's always a joy to welcome new missionaries to Central Europe. Last week we officially introduced our newest missionary, John Bean and his family, to the the general assembly of pastors of the Apostolic Church of Slovakia.

John and his family are presently the only Assemblies of God Missionaries to Slovakia. You can find out more about them by visiting their website at: http://www.beans2slovakia.com.

Pictured in the photo are: (Right to Left) Bishop Jan Lacho: Bishop of the Apostolic Church of Slovakia, Missionary John Bean, Jim Sabella and Jan Liba: Assistant Bishop Apostolic Church of Slovakia

The Roma Community in Slovakia Praying for a Church

2010-02-22T16:42:56-05:00

I just returned from Slovakia where some missionary colleagues, church leaders and I visited two Roma communities.

One housing project we visited housed 7000 people. Some of the apartments have 30-40 people living in three rooms. They often have no heat and no running water.

Absolutely unbelievable living conditions.

God has called two pastors from the Roma community and placed them as spiritual leaders in their community.

One is just being to build a church the other is just about finished. We are praying that we will be able to assist them in these projects to reach one of Europe's unreached people groups.

Czech National Radio Interview: The Czech Study Bible

2010-02-22T09:26:50-05:00

I was among a group of 5 who were interviewed by the Czech National Radio about the completion of the Czech Study Bible. Here is the link to the article and streaming audio on the Czech Radio website. You will find the streaming audio link at the bottom of the web article.

Czech Study Bible Released

2010-02-12T05:21:19-05:00

Very seldom in life do you get to be a part of something that has never been done before. Just two days ago I had that opportunity as I took part in the dedication of the Czech Study Bible. This Bible, with notes and commentary from a Pentecostal perspective, is the first of it's kind in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Study Bible is a culmination of 10+ years of work in partnership with Life Publishers International, Assemblies of God World Missions Europe and the Apostolic Church of the Czech Republic.

The ceremony was held at the Prague headquarters of the Czech International Bible Society. Representatives from Life Publishers, International Bible Societies, the Apostolic Church of the Czech Republic and the major evangelical denominations in the Czech Republic were present for the dedication. Each was presented with a first edition of the Study Bible.

I was honored to be a part of the start of this project 10 years ago and was honored to be there at the completion and dedication of this new study bible.

Assemblies of God World Missions Central Europe is also partnering with Life Publishers International to produce this study bible in both the German and Polish languages.

Pictured right to left: Jim Sabella, Larry Art: Life Publishers International and Bishop Martin Moldan: Bishop of the Apostolic Church of the Czech Republic.

20 Years Ago Today the Berlin Wall Fell--The Voice of Freedom Ringing in Central Europe

2009-11-09T14:01:20-05:00

20 years ago today the Berlin wall fell bringing East and West together for the first time in 50 years. No one thought the the Communist regime would topple so quickly, but in a matter of days, 50 years of government oppression came to an end for those behind the wall. Freedom began to ring in Central Europe

That day also made it possible for us to be here in Prague (former Czechoslovakia) and our other missionary colleagues to be in Berlin, other parts of East Germany, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. We our honored to be here at this time in history.

The voice for human rights and freedom still rings in Central Europe and a voice proclaiming freedom through Jesus Christ rings as well (John 8:36). Please pray with us for Central Europe.

Here is an interesting report from Tom Brokaw who was in Berlin when the wall fell.

Teen Challenge Czech Republic Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary

2009-11-07T15:16:25-05:00

This weekend Teen Challenge in the Czech Republic is celebrating their 15th year anniversary. Yesterday evening A/G Missionary Chris Oakley and I attended the opening session held in Prague. Representatives from Europe and the United States were there to share in the celebration.
Pictured with me is Teen Challenge Czech Republic Founder and Director Peter Minister. I was honored to have the opportunity to address the gathering. Celebration continues through this weekend at the Teen Challenge Center in Poštovice, Czech Republic.

Teaching at Seminary in Kolin, Czech Republic

2009-10-15T13:50:01-04:00

Sherry and I just returned from teaching a seminar at the seminary in Kolin, Czech Republic. We both talked about missiological principles and about our lives as missionaries.

When Sherry, and I arrived in the Czech Republic in 1996 one of our first ministries was teaching at the seminary. The students that we taught then are now leaders in the church.

Pictured: Jim, and Sherry with a Seminary Student

Missionary Team in Poland Well Diversified in Ministry

2009-10-10T10:34:00-04:00

I met recently with the Assemblies of God Missionaries to Poland and the Bishop of the Polish Pentecostal Church. We spent two days together in Warsaw discussing field strategy for future ministry.

The missionary team in Poland is well diversified in their ministry gifts:

Rich & Lori are working with the Seminary in Warsaw. With the help of the Assemblies of God USA, and the dozens of construction teams from churches in the USA, the seminary building project is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2010.

Dennis & Diane are working directly with Polish pastors both in pastoral training and ministry preparation. They soon begin an extensive travel schedule with will take them throughout the northern part of Poland training and encouraging Pastors.

David & Michelle are church planters. They recently launched a church planting project in which they are training church planters to plant church all across Poland.

Curt & Sara are work with students on university campuses. They are helping to set up campus ministries throughout Poland. They are also a part of the Students for Christ leadership team. This Europe-wide team is organizing Encounter 2010 a conference in Budapest, Hungary for university students from around the world.

Pictured are (from Left to Right): Dennis Holcomb; Curt Hobbs (front) Rich McLane (back); Jim Sabella; Marek Kaminski (Bishop of the Polish Pentecostal Church); David Lewandowski.

Europe Booth at the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God

2009-08-04T20:50:07-04:00

    Sherry and I are two of the 25,000 plus people who are attending the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God in Orlando, Florida.
    Today Sherry and I spent the day at the Europe Booth talking to people about ministry in Europe and serving free coffee at the Euro Café.
    The Europe booth is one of only a hand full out of the many booths in the Orange County Conference Center to offer free coffee to those who come to visit the booth. So if you're reading this and attending General Council, please stop by the Europe Booth say hi to Sherry and me and we'll be glad to give you a free cup of coffee...and of course, we'll talk to you about Europe as well.