6 November 2017 | Belgrade, Serbia [Laszlo Gallusz] Thirty-one evangelistic series under the title Five Ideas Which Changed the World, shared the message of Jesus in three languages right across Serbia’s North Conference during the month of October.
The five ‘Sola principles’ and their relevance for 21st century living were preached in Serbian, Hungarian and Slovak using both public halls and churches. The five presentations ran on consecutive nights in each location looking at Solus Christus, Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide and Soli Deo Gloria.
Each night in October a new series started in a new city. The rationale behind the idea was that during the Reformation period God’s Word was studied, preached and heard every single day. More than forty presenters were involved, including every pastor, conference and union church leaders, lay-people and some retired ministers. This joint effort in uplifting Jesus was a fine example of working together to share the Good News in a world which so desperately needs hope, and the God of hope.
The outreach did not stop with the five-night series. Bible study groups have been established in each location. A visitor from Novi Sad said, “I am thrilled by the programme… I am praying to Holy Mary, but if you accept me, I would like to attend your biblical presentations in the future.”
Another new friend from Subotica confessed: “I feel a spiritual hunger. I need Jesus Christ and I am looking forward to further opportunities to get acquainted with the Bible.” An orthodox monk attended a lecture in Novi Sad. He shared that he is eager to learn about Jesus and is open to read Adventist literature to know God better. The positive response to the series surpassed the expectations of the church leadership and in a number of places “a wide door for effective work has opened”. (1 Cor 16:9).
The Five Ideas Which Changed the World was also recorded as a radio programme series. This was broadcast on Radio Novi Sad, the regional state-owned station covering the entire conference territory. Listener response has been encouraging, including an earlier offer of a giveaway book on the idea of Reformation in the Book of Revelation. This attracted sixty requests.
To climax the Reformation initiatives in the North Conference, a Solemn Academy was organised in the Novi Sad central church. Dr Tatjana Samardžija, Dr Miroslav Pujić and Dr Laszlo Gallusz, and teachers of Belgrade Theological Seminary all participated. The rich musical programme and drama made a deep impression on the participants. The Solemn Academy was attended by large numbers of visitors from the city and neighbouring towns, pastors of protestant churches and representatives of the Orthodox church and the Islamic community of Serbia. Several media entities followed the programme and broadcast a report in their news.
The essence of the Reformation, and of these outreach initiatives, is to return to the basics of the Christian faith: uplifting Christ and his Gospel as the only source of life. That aim was fulfilled. Soli Deo Gloria! [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Deana Stojkovic, associate editor
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tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.
