An Antioch Church in Bosnia

By Dr. Larry Haag

The Antioch church in Syria is my favorite New Testament church. Not least among the reasons for my choice is that the church must have had a multi-ethnic membership. This is suggested by the nationalities represented in the leadership of the local church (Acts 13:1). The church in Antioch is a beautiful picture of what Christ can do in the individual and collective lives of true believers in any congregation.

A church in Bosnia-Herzegovina reminds me of the Antioch church of the first century. Dr. Nik and I were invited recently to speak to that church and visit in the homes of these 20th century brothers and sisters in Christ. The church is located in one of the many Muslim towns scattered across the mountains and valleys of Bosnia. It is an exciting church in a hurting country. It is small in numbers, but growing steadily as the members let their lights shine by proclaiming the gospel at every opportunity. It is big in love for the Lord and for one another. This love shows in their hospitality and genuine Christian living. The church's ethnic mix includes Croatians, Bosnians, Serbs, Palestinians, Austrians, and Albanians, many of whom were communists before they received Christ as Savior.

The church is gaining the respect of the town leadership. Local officials know what the church teaches, and respect the members because they are good citizens in the community. Several town leaders have received personal invitations from the lay pastor and his wife, and have attended special services. The witness of faith in Jesus Christ reaches into the hearts of Bosnians. Please put this church, the leaders and their families on your prayer list. Pray that their testimony will continue to be strong as they witness of Christ to men and women in Bosnia.

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