02 October 2023 |Elbasan, Albania [Sarah Henke]
Local members, volunteers, and special guests came together for the second Albanian Family Camp, held from September 8 to 10 in the city of Elbasan, Albania. The weekend, part of the Christ for Europe initiative, was filled with worship, Bible study, and two beautiful baptisms.
Pastor Elbert Kuhn, Associate Secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, served as the main speaker. He emphasised the importance of collaboration with locals to share the gospel, stating, “Together, we can make a difference. When we sit, talk, plan, and address the needs of the field, we can truly achieve something great for the Lord.”
This camp was part of a broader effort, according to pastor Delmar Reis, the president of the Albanian Mission (AM). He explained, “The idea behind this project is to bring all members from Albanian churches together annually, allowing them to get to know each other better, build stronger relationships, and deepen their understanding of God.”
On Sabbath evening, two beautiful baptisms took place in the hotel’s swimming pool. Mirela Zyla, one of the baptised individuals, had the privilege of being baptised by her own son, pastor Marko Frasheri. She shared her gratitude, saying, “I had longed for this moment, and God made it happen at the right time. It was beautiful to be baptised by my son and become part of God’s family.” Pastor Frasheri echoed this sentiment, stating, “When I saw my mother in the water, there are no words to describe how I felt! I realised that dreams do come true, and God speaks through our dreams.”
First Evangelistic Video Series in Albanian
The Sabbath programme also featured the launch of the first evangelistic video series in Albanian, titled “The Teachings of Jesus.” Produced in collaboration with Hope Channel Brazil, pastor Gentian Thomollari explored key teachings of Jesus, guiding viewers to delve deeper into the Bible. A follow-up study on the prophecies of Daniel, led by pastor Servet Dema, is scheduled for release in November.
Pastor Thomollari expressed his belief that these Bible study series will greatly benefit Albanians. He said, “Through these recorded videos, many Albanians may have their first encounter with Christ, providing our local Adventist Church with an opportunity to expand its missionary work and evangelistic initiatives.”
[Photos: courtesy of Sarah Henke] Cover image: pastor Marko Frasheri baptises his mother, Mirela Zyla.
