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European Partners In Christ |
Having a link with a church in an Eastern European country means that you will be prayed for on a regular basis and is one of the best things that can happen to your congregation.
Many churches have enjoyed exchange visits, and this is a very important feature of being in partnership. To experience first hand the conditions and difficulties is vital for understanding the culture, etc. and seeing the enthusiasm of new Christians and being able to take part in services and conferences is just as valuable.
Unwanted
musical instrumentsMany churches, especially in the poorer Eastern European countries, do not have any musical instruments. They simply cannot afford organs or keyboards. Young people long to play guitars and other ‘portable’ instruments and don’t mind if they are second hand. Many people start learning an instrument enthusiastically only to give up after a few months and the guitar or keyboard or flute is stored away in the loft. Please get it down and let a young person learn to play it.
A church in Bulgaria runs a training course in computer studies for teenagers on their housing estate and uses second-hand computers, donated from England. Many more churches would like to start similar clubs but lack the resources.
There are many pastors who are building churches or renovating small houses to turn into churches who would welcome practical help for a week or two. Anyone who can use a paintbrush is welcome as well as people with building skills. There are opportunities to run a children’s holiday club or an English language club depending on the skills of the team members.
In some of the countries it is possible to buy a small bungalow and then knock down a couple of interior walls and it can become a church. This is the quickest way of opening a new church although sometimes if a larger church is needed it is possible to buy a piece of land and build new. To be realistic about £10,000 will be needed to pay for the purchase and the materials needed. Individuals and groups of friends have given money and been able to have information and photographs about ‘their church’.
We will go anywhere to talk about EPIC — just give us the opportunity! Whether it’s a breakfast meeting or a coffee evening, a large number or a small house group we are pleased to ‘be a voice’ for those who need help.
to pray effectively you need information, so sign up for the newsletter and then support us as we seek to help Christians in Eastern Europe do the work God has called them to.