SPOTLIGHT Central Europe

20 Years Ago Today the Berlin Wall Fell--The Voice of Freedom Ringing in Central Europe

    20 years ago today the Berlin wall fell bringing East and West together for the first time in 50 years. No one thought the the Communist regime would topple so quickly, but in a matter of days, 50 years of government oppression came to an end for those behind the wall. Freedom began to ring in Central Europe

    That day also made it possible for us to be here in Prague (former Czechoslovakia) and our other missionary colleagues to be in Berlin, other parts of East Germany, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. We our honored to be here at this time in history.

    The voice for human rights and freedom still rings in Central Europe and a voice proclaiming freedom through Jesus Christ rings as well (John 8:36). Please pray with us for Central Europe.

Here is an interesting report from Tom Brokaw who was in Berlin when the wall fell.

Teen Challenge Czech Republic Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary

    This weekend Teen Challenge in the Czech Republic is celebrating their 15th year anniversary. Yesterday evening A/G Missionary Chris Oakley and I attended the opening session held in Prague. Representatives from Europe and the United States were there to share in the celebration.
    Pictured with me is Teen Challenge Czech Republic Founder and Director Peter Minister. I was honored to have the opportunity to address the gathering. Celebration continues through this weekend at the Teen Challenge Center in Poštovice, Czech Republic. 

Teaching at Seminary in Kolin, Czech Republic

Sherry and I just returned from teaching a seminar at the seminary in Kolin, Czech Republic. We both talked about missiological principles and about our lives as missionaries.

When Sherry, and I arrived in the Czech Republic in 1996 one of our first ministries was teaching at the seminary. The students that we taught then are now leaders in the church.

Pictured: Jim, and Sherry with a Seminary Student

Missionary Team in Poland Well Diversified in Ministry

I met recently with the Assemblies of God Missionaries to Poland and the Bishop of the Polish Pentecostal Church. We spent two days together in Warsaw discussing field strategy for future ministry.

The missionary team in Poland is well diversified in their ministry gifts:

Rich & Lori are working with the Seminary in Warsaw. With the help of the Assemblies of God USA, and the dozens of construction teams from churches in the USA, the seminary building project is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2010.

Dennis & Diane are working directly with Polish pastors both in pastoral training and ministry preparation. They soon begin an extensive travel schedule with will take them throughout the northern part of Poland training and encouraging Pastors.

David & Michelle are church planters. They recently launched a church planting project in which they are training church planters to plant church all across Poland.

Curt & Sara are work with students on university campuses. They are helping to set up campus ministries throughout Poland. They are also a part of the Students for Christ leadership team. This Europe-wide team is organizing Encounter 2010 a conference in Budapest, Hungary for university students from around the world.

Pictured are (from Left to Right): Dennis Holcomb; Curt Hobbs (front) Rich McLane (back); Jim Sabella; Marek Kaminski (Bishop of the Polish Pentecostal Church); David Lewandowski.

Europe Booth at the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God

    Sherry and I are two of the 25,000 plus people who are attending the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God in Orlando, Florida.
    Today Sherry and I spent the day at the Europe Booth talking to people about ministry in Europe and serving free coffee at the Euro Café. 
    The Europe booth is one of only a hand full out of the many booths in the Orange County Conference Center to offer free coffee to those who come to visit the booth. So if you're reading this and attending General Council, please stop by the Europe Booth say hi to Sherry and me and we'll be glad to give you a free cup of coffee...and of course, we'll talk to you about Europe as well.

Central Europe Missionary Candidate Class of 2009

   Sherry and I are in Springfield, MO for Missionary Training. Here's a photo of our Central Europe candidate missionaries. From left to right Michael & Jen Dant, candidate missionaries to Slovakia; Sherry and me; Micah & Melia Mann, missionary associates to Austria; Aaron & Julie Davis, candidate missionaries to the Czech Republic. Veteran missionaries arrive next week for missionary renewal.

Philip's Graduation from Valley Forge Christian College May 8, 2009

  

      One of the proudest days of Sherry's and my life, and the life of our family, was May 8, 2009. That day our son Philip graduated Magna Cum Laude from Valley Forge Christian College. We celebrated together with friends and family. He also received his ministerial credentials that same week. Congratulations Philip! We love you and are proud of you.

Pictured: Jonathan, Philip, Sherry and Jim: the proud Sabella family; and Philip's fiance Maria with Philip.

Tech Talk in Madrid, Spain

     Just returned from 3 days in Madrid Spain. I was part of a tech stragety group with missionaries Mike Helin, Jonathan Cooper, Dave Goldschmidt, Doug Raught and Steve Turley. Our purpose was to discuss and outline a 5 year plan for intergating present and new technology into the Assemblies of God World Missions Europe Region missions program.
     We met at the International Media Ministry facility in Madrid, Spain. The photo of me is taken in front of some of the equipment at the facility. I asked Jonathan--who took the picture--to make me look like a serious tech guy.  

Central Europe Church Leaders Convene in Prague

     This past week I had the honor of hosting the annual Central Europe Superintendent's Summit in Prague. Executive leaders from the Pentecostal Churches in Central Europe gathered for a closed summit to discuss issues concerning the relevance of the church in our changing world, and faith within the context of the culture of Central Europe. Delegations from the Czech Republic (Bishop: Martin Moldan); Hungary (President: Albert Patakey); Slovakia (Bishop: Jan Laho); and Switzerland (President: Max Schläpfer) attended (see photo).
      Our guest speaker for Tuesday evening was Mr. Daniel Raus. Mr. Raus is a journalist and the Editor of Religious Broadcasting for Czech Radio. He is also commentator on international politics. He spoke to us about the impact of media on culture. This summit takes place every spring and is sponsored by the Assemblies of God World Missions Central Europe Area.

        

Bratislava Church featured in Lead Article in Eye on Europe Website

Just got word that our article from our printed newsletter, about the Bratislava church, made the lead article on the Eye On Europe website. You can find the article here: www.eyeoneurope.com.

If you'd like to receive our quarterly printed newsletter (Spotlight Central Europe), simply email your mailing address to me at: centraleuropespotlight@gmail.com. I'll add your name to the growing list.