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<\/a><\/p>\nMusija states that he accepted the call because \u201cthe church in Europe has some difficulty to retain and reach young people for Jesus, so Youth Ministry is one of our greatest needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
He comes with solid experience having previously served as Youth and Children\u2019s Ministries director in the Adriatic Union. He has also worked as a church pastor, a lecturer and dean at the Adriatic Union Theological College in Marusevec, Croatia, and as the Croatian Conference president.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Union president I have been trying to lead the church in Albania, Croatia and Slovenia to focus on God and His awesome character and to show His character to the world by being a friendly missional church that makes a difference daily in the community,\u201d he says. His particular areas of emphasis have included the development of leaders in the church, a focus on children and youth through departmental activities and education, and outreach in unreached areas such as Dalmatia, Albania. He has also focused on media ministry and positive social engagement between church members and the community.<\/p>\n
Leaving all that to return to youth ministry is simply, in Musija\u2019s words, his recognition of a call to serve where the needs are great. \u201cMy own blessed experience of being involved and active in church life from my childhood, and the opportunity I have had to serve in different leadership responsibilities despite being relatively young, gives me a passion to see our many young people involved in the church. I want them to experience the blessings of being active for Jesus. I equally want church leaders to recognise the importance of total youth involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Musija is just starting to formulate his plans for the future. Next year\u2019s European Youth Congress will be high on his agenda, but he will also be assisting youth leaders with \u201cthe spiritual development of our youth by concentrating on the biblical picture of God and involving many young people in the mission of the church.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important environments for spiritual development of our youth are not global events like congresses, but ongoing life in their families and local congregations,\u201d Musija insists. As such, he will focus on developing strategies and materials that can be used for youth ministry at a local level. He also believes strongly in reaching across departments and working in synergy with other leaders. Important at Division level, he will also be encouraging such co-operation at all other levels.<\/p>\n