4th Global Roma Networks Conference - Durres, Albania

Dear friends,

I’d like to share with you about my time at the 4th Annual Roma Networks international conference that took place on April 9-12 in Durres, Albania. This event gathered over 300 pastors and Christian leaders who are involved in Roma ministry from all over the world. With the conference venue right on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, the gathering gave us a wonderful, special treat in a form of gorgeous, soothing sunsets.

As some of you may already know, our involvement with Roma Networks goes a long way back. Being a part of Roma Networks family, our ministry and church members became part of a larger European and global network of Christian churches and ministries with a mission to reach the Roma and Roma-associated ethnic groups for Christ. Informal in its character, Roma Networks has done a great job connecting  ministries and workers scattered all over by using the networks’ resources to strengthen and support individual ministry efforts when and where needed. 

The efforts of Roma Networks and all of their events became a platform for reunions of friends, and ministries, forming a  “band of brothers”, where many would come to heal their wounds, receive counsel and drop off their heavy burdens  before God, and sympathetic ear. Very often, those who attend the conference either just came out of heavy battles or were still entrenched in them and found that they get a chance to share their stories, be heard and be seen at these conferences. Sadly, the “war stories” from Roma ministry often come across as too harsh and too raw to the rest of the Church. 

Among other things, Roma Networks bring attention to the complexity and diversity in the “Roma ministry universe” - a tangible record of how the Gospel progressed in individual countries and regions. While some countries/regions experience exponential growth of ministry, large numbers in church attendance and percentages of the entire Roma population evangelized/churched (Finland 25%), in some other the Roma ministry areas, they are still making their baby steps. For some regions, their country representatives were all with Roma background, our region (Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania) had only a handful of them - a sad, yet a sobering reminder of a rock-hard soil we’re serving in. Once again, I was reminded that the principalities and powers we fight against have a stronger grip where we are than in other places.

This time though, I was not only there to attend, but I had also served on two teams, both of whom had a different part of the program to prepare. Although not super intensive, it took several months of work for preparation, as well as a couple of very demanding days to execute it. All that hard work paid off, since for many participants these were some of the best moments of the event. I returned from the event refreshed, encouraged and motivated, just to jump into a new battle. The “reality”, as presented by the Enemy, has showed its vengeful face once again and the impressions of loving, Christlike community, brotherly support and acknowledgment almost faded away. The long walk through the desert continued and in such a hostile environment, one can not “waste” time losing focus, rejoicing or daydreaming for too long, nor do or say anything more than what is absolutely necessary. The land of milk and honey is still ahead of us.

Please pray that none of what was mentioned above will triumph over a single soul that is now in our church ranks. Pray that His Bride in Konik stays intact and wise with Her oil until He decides to come for Her. Pray and declare that the Enemy has no place and authority in our lives and that no enemy stronghold cannot stand in a way of our walk into the Land of Promise. Pray that the years of spiritual famine will not make us surrender control and authority over our destinies to no one and nothing but Christ. Pray for Roma Networks that God continues to use them for His glory and our benefit.