A Vision Born in the Hearts of Croatian Believers
The Wesleyan Church’s history in the country of Croatia is not a long one. It started with Global Partners missionaries Kent and Cheri Pickslay who came to Croatia in 1993. I believe that this article was only possible to write because of the Picksleys’ obedience to God to leave the safe and known circumstances of their lives in the United States and move to the war-torn country of Croatia.
In the fall of 2009, a vision was born in the hearts of believers in the Living Hope Wesleyan Church in the city of Split, Croatia. We started to pray and dream about the first Wesleyan church-owned facility in Croatia. What if God would bless us with a space that would be used for his glory and advancement of his kingdom in the city of Split and beyond? What if God would bless us with a place that would be used for training and equipping the saints for the work of God in Croatia and beyond?
The famous missionary William Carey once said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Our attempt was a big one. The price of this vision was nearly half a million dollars. The real estate prices in Split are very high due to the impact of tourism, but our hearts were not discouraged. At that point, we believed that if God wanted to bless us in this way, he would do it no matter the circumstances.
As we all know, the hardest steps are the first ones. One of those steps was how to communicate and pass on the vision to churches and believers across Europe and the United States who could help us with the project. It was challenging to answer their questions about how much money had we raised so far, and we would answer, “None, but you could be the first one to help us with the project.”
The dream is coming true.
The vision is almost fulfilled.
The facility is almost completed.
There are so many little and big stories that could be told regarding the progress of the project. One of those stories is about a Wesleyan church located in the town of Hartford City, Indiana. Their prayers and sacrificial giving, along with their strong and enduring commitment to help our small fellowship in Croatia, has gone beyond our biggest hopes. We feel that we are truly one with them in Christ.
So here we are in 2019. The dream is coming true. The vision is almost fulfilled. The facility is almost completed. We joyfully celebrated Christ’s resurrection together this Easter in the new location! The journey has been long with many ups and downs, but we are now planning the official opening and dedication of the first Wesleyan church facility in Split for this October.
The hearts of believers in Living Hope Wesleyan Church are excited and thankful to God for his grace and provision of this beautiful new church space. But also, we want to use this opportunity to thank all Wesleyans and churches across the United States and Europe who have prayed, financially contributed, and believed in this God-given vision with us. Thank you so much! We can sense oneness in Christ. One of the Bible verses that has led us during the time of the project are the words of the apostle Paul when he said the following to Christians in Ephesus: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory . . . (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV).
TO GIVE
The Split Ministry Center project (WM06-1109) is nearing completion. It is estimated that it will take an additional $20,000 to finish this project. This will cover purchasing and installing the A/C units, finishing the kitchen, bathrooms, and stairwells, and any other final expenses that may be incurred.
American Donors
Give online: gponline.org/split-ministry-center/
To pay by check: Make the check payable to Global Partners. Mail to PO Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN, 46250. Note “WM06-1109 / Split Ministry Center” on the memo line.
Canadian Donors
Give online: canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-wesleyan-church-of-canada-central-canada-district/, select “General Fund” and include “WM06-1109 / Split Ministry Center” in the comments.
To pay by check: Make checks payable to The Wesleyan Church of Canada. Mail to PO Box 4458, Sussex, NB, E4E 5L6. Note “WMO6-1109 / Split Ministry Center” on the memo line.
