“I had an atheist ask me to share my testimony today. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more honored, seen, and slightly confused all at the same time.I met Denis last night at our karaoke event with Fokus (Croatia’s name for Cru). He came in after Ivan and sat down. The three of us talked for a while about languages, culture, and ourselves. Ivan’s been a Christian for 3 years and originally found Christ through the Lakewood team outreach. I learned about their friendship, the insane number of languages they speak, along with their contrasting worldviews.So today, I sat with Denis on the bus to and from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. On the way home, after Daniel (an older man from the Lakewood team) shared his story to the bus, Denis asked to hear mine. He listened attentively and commented afterwards that his best friend (who’s a Christian) shared a similar feeling of “peace” after a great trial in his life- in a way almost exactly how I had explained it. He acknowledged my belief that the source of peace was “supernatural” but explained his perspective of it being a force of the universe.Here’s what I loved about this conversation: he was genuinely curious and interested. He asked if I was happier now, if I felt content and satisfied within my beliefs. He shared openly about himself and the struggles he continues to walk through. Multiple times he expressed how he prefers hanging out with ‘religious’ people because we share a similar perspective of the world in his eyes. We’re not crazy like most people are- in his eyes. A part of him wants to believe in the Bible. He’s a firm believer that religion is in our DNA (meaning whatever our parents believed we’ll eventually believe someday too). He appreciates the evident knowledge displayed in the Bible, accepting it as a ‘moral handbook’ if you take out the theology. He just doesn’t “feel” it is what he expressed to me, and he’s not sure why.”-An excerpt from my journal (03-15-25)
I share this experience with you for several reasons. Before I dive into what I’ve been learning, let me give you some context as to what this past month of ministry in Croatia has looked liked.
Our first 2 weeks in Zagreb were spent getting to know the area, culture, team we’re working with, and method of doing ministry. We live about 20-25 minutes away by tram from the downtown square of Zagreb. Public transportation and the ability to walk everywhere has been one of my favorite things about living here. We were all shocked by the amount of smoking, that caffès and bars are combined, and how people are dead quiet on public transportation. However, the transition felt smooth, and it’s refreshing to not always feel like a “foreigner.” I’m able to go buy groceries using the 4 phrases I confidently know in Croatian and nobody thinks twice that I’m not a native.
The Fokus team is incredible. Tomi heads up the student ministry, supported by Abby (his wife from America), Karlo (a Croatian), and Maggie (a 2nd-year American intern with Cru). They’re all incredibly fun to be with and getting to know them has been so sweet. We work closely with them; attending a weekly team meeting, running at least one weekly event, and supporting them with campus outreaches. I must mention the newest team member, Domingo, a Jack Russell Terrier puppy who Tomi and Abby just added to their family. (We’ve already had the pleasure of dog sitting and it was the BEST)
This past week Fokus Student received a 23-member team from Lakewood Church in Georgia, USA. This church has a long-term partnership with Fokus and sends a spring break team every year. Each day we started with team devotional, went out to meet students, handed out flyers for the week’s nightly events, met up with interested students for coffee, hosted the events, and often ended the night with gelato! It was a constant sprint, but God was good and gracious through it all. We all have countless incredible stories of God’s hand at work from this week. If you’re curious about the events we hosted here’s the schedule: Cross-Cultural trivia night, Communication and Conflict Resolution (talk with a marriage counseling couple from Lakewood), Relationship talk (with the same couple), A CSI Agent teaching investigation and applying it to the Resurrection of Christ, Karaoke Night, Girl’s Brunch, and a day trip to Ljubljana.
As I reflect on this past week and all the interactions I had with students, a few observations have stood out. I hope that these points expand your knowledge of Croatian culture and the desperate need for Jesus here.
Croatian students are DEEP thinkers: During our final time of handing out flyers, 2 Lakewood folks and I took a worldview poster “game” along with us. (I’ve included a picture down below) We approached students, asking if they had a few minutes to do a quick survey. Out of the three hours we were on campus, we only had one “No.” That shows just how willing students are to engage with people along with the fact that they all expanded on their beliefs as we asked questions. All students speak at least 2 languages fluently (Croatian and English); however some know 5 or more. They’ve all considered the nature of the world and often studied different worldviews. The first girl we talked with had walked away from her parent’s faith (being Catholicism) but just decided to open the Bible for herself 3 months ago. She wanted to know for herself what it meant and said.
The ‘Catholic’ label for the Country is largely inaccurate: Statistics claim that 83% of Croatians profess Catholocism. However, this is primarily a title that people tie to their identity. Just as “To be Thai is to be Buddhist” was the case in Thailand, “To be Croatian is to be Catholic” would be true here. The majority of students we’ve met were raised in a Catholic family- adhering to the practices and sacraments on differing levels. For many, Catholicism is the structure they were raised in and no longer adhere to.
God is moving here already: Ivan from the story at the beginning is a perfect example of this; he heard about Fokus through the Lakewood team outreach one year and eventually met Jesus through it! We met a guy, Philip, who literally said, ‘I want to believe but I don’t have enough faith.’ So me and my Lakewood teammates shared about the Bible character who said the same thing. We were able to pray over him-only after he said ‘You should pray for someone else who would benefit more from it.’ We refuted that by explaining his value in God’s eyes. As we began working with the Fokus staff they shared countless stories of how students have seen a video on TikTok or YouTube then meet the Fokus team, or found on old Bible and start reading it. We’ve seen how the Holy Spirit is preparing hearts to hear the good news of the gospel.
It’s been an incredible month. As we look ahead to our remaining 2 months overseas, we’re looking forward to the work that God will do in and through us. He’s blessed us with a community of girls our age who encourage us to grow in our faith. One of friends, Mia, has a Bible study for English speakers, and it has been so life-giving. We’re excited to follow up with the students we met through the Lakewood outreach. We’re eager to go on campus and meet more students in fun ways, as well as help Fokus plan events. So much of our work here will be relational. I feel encouraged already by the way God has put people in our lives to love on and be a light to.
Prayer Requests:
For Denis to find satisfaction in what God says about him, for his heart to feel and grasp the love and grace of God
That God would bring those who are curious, questioning, or eager to learn about Jesus to Fokus events and meet us
In every conversation for the Spirit to guide our words and responses
Boldness to share the gospel!
For the Fokus team to get new staff members
That the seeds planted during the Lakewood outreach will be watered well
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21
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