NEWS FROM SERBIA

We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who has kept us safe through all the difficulties that our country has experienced. God of all the earth He is also the Lord of the Serbian people, and He has proved that to us in many ways. We believe that God is working in our city of Nis and in the area around.

When we were a registered Baptist church the local government was very against our work. They even wanted to destroy the building, but God prevented them. Since the war began in Bosnia and Croatia, many refugees came to the city of Nis. Every time we assisted them we did not hesitate in distributing literature and New Testaments. We believe that God has saved many of them. Now, they are our church members. Besides the refugees God has also saved others.

Our first church hall had only 50 seats and very soon it became to small. We rented different cinema halls in a period of four years, then a symphony hall. We went from hall to hall, and we also met opposition from the Orthodox church, yet we became the largest evangelical congregation in the southeast of Serbia. We now have over 400 people in our church every Sunday, and last Christmas we had over 1000 people visiting us. Our services are overwhelmingly evangelistic because there are many unsaved who attend our church. Having our own church building would be very helpful. At the moment, we are holding services in an former cinema which is a poor structure without heating, not enough lights, the roof is leaking etc. and on top of all that we have to pay high rent for it.

The winter is coming and how are we going to heat the hall with temperatures at times below zero? We are searching Serbia for heaters. I actually wear a coat while preaching, and my breath is white clouds! Despite all this the church hall is always full. People are hungry for the word of God, and Christians all over Serbia are praying that God may provide a church building in the city of Nis where He is working. Also if we could get some wooden houses the local government would give us land and we could house Christian refugee families, and also build a church hall.

Over the past eight years the local government have realized who we are, and so they have given us an old building to use for humanitarian work. They initially presented it to us for a few years, but now, there is a possibility of buying it and a large piece of land. It is in the center of the city and a fine place for the church.

Pray for us. Come over to Serbia and see the work as it really is. You are welcome to talk to us about anything you want to know. We have good relations with the local government and they are open to cooperate. Spread this information to all you know who will be willing to help. Let the world be aware that God lives in Serbia and is doing great things for the sake of those people who are faithful to Him, for which we are glad.

For more information please be free and contact us on the following address:

Pastor Cedo Ralevic

Serbia, Nis Baptist Church,


Mail to:rcedonis@cent.co.yu

To see an unedited version of this letter go to: http://www.egroups.com/group/D_O_G_M_A

Christian Baptist Church, Rajiceva 21, 18000 Nis, Yugoslavia

Tel/Fax: +381 18 353-640

E-mail: mailto:rcedonis@cent.co.yu mailto:rcedo@bankerinter.net