18 November | Tirana, Albania [Vefiola Shaka with tedNEWS]
Three members of the Tirana East Seventh-day Adventist Church have recently made public commitments to follow Jesus, marking a period of celebration for the Adventist community in Albania. Two baptisms took place on 14 September in the waters of Lake Ohrid, while a profession of faith was made on 6 September. Although their spiritual journeys are different, each story testifies to the power of God’s Word and the influence of personal ministry in transforming lives.
Kliti Gramozi Affirms His Faith After Two-Year Spiritual Journey
Kliti Gramozi, an advocate with a specialisation in psychology, first connected with Pastor Gentian Thomollari, the minister of the Tirana East Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Publishing Ministries Director for the Albanian Mission (AM), nearly two years ago, when he requested a copy of The Great Controversy, written by Ellen G. White, Chruch co-founder. The book sparked further questions, and he continued reading other titles shared with him, including Patriarchs and Prophets, Health and Wellness, and Amazing Discoveries in the Holy Land.
As their Bible studies deepened, particularly through the Explore Bible Series, Gramozi decided to commit his life to God. On 6 September, he made a public declaration of faith, testifying to the miracle of God’s power, including helping him overcome smoking. “God really uses the Bible and our books to inspire, change worldviews, and transform lives for His glory,” Thomollari emphasised. “This book touched my soul and mind. It showed me the way things are and how great God’s love is for us,” Gramozi shared.
For Gramozi, John chapter 4 was key in helping him understand which church he felt aligned with, and he encourages others to read and reflect on its message. Emotionally moved, he affirms that this was the best decision of his life. “On September 6 of this year, at the Tirana East Church, I began to live my new life,” he concluded.
Spiro Ndrio Demonstrates Faithfulness Through Bible Study and Stewardship
Spiro Ndrio began attending the Tirana East Seventh-day Adventist Church after receiving an invitation from a member named Flora Agolli. He soon accepted Thomollari’s invitation to study the Bible twice a week. When they explored the biblical teaching on tithing, he responded, “I am not rich, but I love God and want to be faithful.” Despite receiving a small pension, he has remained faithful in this commitment ever since.
Ndrio was baptised on 14 September, expressing deep assurance and gratitude. “I am under the protection of Christ, and I feel very complete,” he said.
Eugen Cela Makes a Decision After Seventeen Years of Searching
For more than 17 years, Eugen Cela had been attending church without being baptised. He participated in worship and valued fellowship but had lingering questions about certain doctrines, especially the biblical teaching on the state of the dead.
When Thomollari noticed that Cela’s name was not on the official membership list, they began studying the Bible together, focusing on the topics that had caused confusion. “We studied four times a week,” the pastor said. “It was wonderful to see how his understanding and joy grew.”
On 14 September, Cela made the long-awaited decision to be baptised, rejoicing in his newfound peace and clarity of faith. He shared how grateful he is to finally be baptised in the Adventist Church. “Now I need to grow in faith, and I pray throughout the day to grow in dedication and apply the Bible in every aspect of my life,” he said. “After baptism, life is not a field of flowers but a battle. Only through prayer and reading the Bible will God give us victory and growth.”
[Photos: Courtesy of the AM Communications Department]
