sign in sign up
<<
Home , Global Leadership

GLOBAL SUMMIT Eastern Europe

COUNTRY RELIGION POPULATION Croatia 87% Roman Catholic 4m+ 70% Muslim, 3m+ 59% Eastern Orthodox 6m+ 34% None 10m+ 34% Unaffiliated 1m+ Kosovo Muslim/Orthodox/Catholic 1m+ 19% Lutheran 2m+ 79% Roman Catholic 3m+ 86% Eastern Orthodox 21m+ 68% Roman Catholic 5m+ Ukraine Ukrainian Orthodox 44m+ Belarus 60% Eastern Orthodox 9.6m+ Macedonia 64% Macedonian Orthodox 2m+ 89% Roman Catholic 38m+ Kazakhstan 70% Muslim 17m+ Kyrgyzstan 75% Muslim 5m+ 15-20% Russian Orthodox 142m+

Christian Leadership Christian development in EASTERN EUROPE Leadership With the loosened stronghold of Communism after the fall of the Berlin Wall Challenges in in 1989 and Soviet Union, religious freedom returned to Eastern Europe. Just 25 years later, the volatility of economic and politic structures has brought a eastern europe: Former Soviet rule, “dead” or dying return to persecution for religious beliefs for some and concerns for the future church, apathy, poverty, nominally for many. religious (not necessarily practicing). Christian leaders need the tools to overcome the challenges of oppression and apathy and bring a sense of stability to the Church before the window of freedom closes again. With the support of faithful donors, in 2013 the GLS was taken into 17 countries in Eastern Europe. Leaders here have shared a growing desire to expand the GLS in this region. We invite you to read these stories from the GLS in Eastern Europe. GLS events in Albania and Kosovo Christian leaders in Southeast Europe’s Balkan Peninsula are eager for leadership training and inspiration. In a post-Communist , the GLS is one of the few places where they can gather to experience encouragement and resources. The Christian minority faces opposition in the form of government corruption, violence and poverty. Kosovo’s unemployment rate of 73% is one of the highest in the world. Gathering with other leaders at the GLS “retreat” was inspiring. The highest attended event was in Tirana, Albania, which is the largest gathering of Christian leaders in the country and includes leaders from the Orthodox Church. In the neighboring republic of Kosovo, where the majority of leaders come from a Muslim background, the context of the GLS is very different. In 2013, we celebrated the second year of the GLS in the new country of Kosovo, which gained independence in 2008. While Kosovo is seeking to find its place in the world arena, the church strives to find its identity. Leaders The GLS is God’s are experiencing a growing belief that God can use the GLS to improve the leadership quality in the church to impact communities and the entire country. way of saying “I like to think that when we said goodbye to the participants at the end of each of the three events in Albania and Kosovo, the work was not finished… ‘I love you’ to that it is just the beginning. Leaders will go out into the world and back to their churches, and implement all that has been spoken into their lives. I am glad the hundreds of I am alive in a time when I can see God work in wonderful ways in the lives of church leaders in Albania and Kosovo. The GLS is God’s way of saying “I Albanian leaders love you” to the hundreds of Albanian leaders and hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world.” —Doni Lilo, GLS Producer in Albania The GLS in Lithuania has more than doubled in the past 4 years. Beginning with 300 guests in one location, the GLS is now reaching over 800 attendees at two sites. It is the largest annual leadership event in Lithuania and is attended by leaders in government, , social and leaders from most church denominations. Because of the evident impact of the GLS, Lithuania launched a monthly leadership club where 266 people are already involved. The church is being revived, encouraged and united. Macedonia holds its first GLS in 2013 When Macedonia received its independence in 1991, it was one of the least developed republics in Eastern Europe. The church has suffered under government oppression that has restricted church growth and church planting. As a result, the majority of the population is unreligious. Against this backdrop, the GLS was held for the first time. It was a small start, but Christian leaders and pastors were encouraged, stating that this is the best leadership training available to them. “Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT). Lenin is toppled, but the GLS stays strong! The 2013 GLS was scheduled during the crisis in Ukraine, in fact, the same week the statue of Lenin was toppled. The government threatened to commandeer the building that was scheduled to be used for leadership training for church pastors and the GLS was at risk for being shut down. God intervened and the GLS took place as scheduled. 900 church leaders, hungry for change in their lives and in their country, crowded into the space reserved for 830. Leadership matters—especially in times like these! The GLS is not just about lectures and discussion, leadership defines the destinies of our families, ministries, companies, churches and even our countries.

The impact in Latvia Pastor Kaspars discovered his calling into ministry when he was 15. Latvia has a culture of apathy and corruption, and he recognizes that the only hope for the world lies in Jesus. In the post-Communist era, people in Latvia have developed great apathy toward the church, and Pastor Kaspars has passion to reach his Leadership defines country for Christ. For the past three years he has led and overseen a church- planting movement that has grown to 20 successful teams of church planters, the destinies of our and continues to grow. families, ministries, Utilizing the leadership tools he’s learned at the GLS, Pastor Kaspars is impacting companies, his community in incredible ways. Church plants have started ministries that go to where the people are—evangelizing in schools and local cafes. In the hope churches and even of reaching out to non-Christians in new ways, Pastor Kaspars’ church started our countries. date nights for couples in a local cafe where they provide dinner, babysitting and teachings on marriage. This outreach has given people in the community the opportunity to make new connections and hear the Gospel. Most of these couples say they have never stepped foot inside a church.

Please be in prayer for this ministry. Kaspars and his team want to see Jesus restore lives, marriages, families and entire communities in Latvia.

“Thank you for your heart for Latvia! Thank you for your support and prayers! My prayer is that God is giving back 10 times more what you are giving to us!” —Pastor Kaspars, Latvia PRAY FOR LEADERS in EASTERN EUROPE Godly leadership development opportunities are critical in this era of Eastern Europe’s church history. Christians have seen the near death of the Church, and are realizing that in order to bring the church back to life, and transform their countries, that leadership development, encouragement and unity are required. Leaders like Kaspars in Latvia, or Egli in Albania don’t just see apathy, oppression, and corruption in their communities—they­ see opportunity for revived and vibrant churches, and lives reached for Christ. The GLS is being used to train leaders who were under oppression for decades as they now seek to transform their communities. Pray for these leaders as they seek to change the outcome for their countries, and build on a new vision for the future—where the church is alive, integrity is valued, is realized, and lives reached for Christ.

Please consider your involvement in Eastern Europe Thank you for your • Continue to support and pray for leadership development in Eastern European countries where the WCA is currently doing ministry through the GLS heart for Latvia!

• Advance the ministry of the WCA by providing funds in additional cities Thank you for where leaders seek to launch new GLS sites—initial start-up costs include additional translations, training, equipment, and safe venues. We plan to your support and bring the GLS to in 2014. prayers! • Make a connection—If your business or ministry is involved in these areas, consider connecting us with them for in-country support and involvement

For more stories from the GLS, visit willowcreek.com/followthegls