Page 11 - News Spring-Summer 2025

United by God’s Word

It was a wonderful privilege for Geoff and There was one very amazing visit to the Catholic Church
Jane Mann of the Cambridge Branch, Chris headquarters in Belgrade where we met with the Catholic
and Angela Axelby of the Doncaster Branch, Archbishop’s deputy, a Senior Army Chaplain and a
senior Priest of the Orthodox Church. There we all were,
Mark and Evie Mair of the Rugby Branch, around a single table, all enjoying wonderful fellowship
and Bill and Grace Thomas of the Sheffield – Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelicals – all being united
Branch to visit Belgrade for the first formal by a deep appreciation of God’s Word. At such a time our
Mission Trip to Serbia. National Office staff difference in theological thinking didn’t seem to matter
too much!
members Dragan Koncarevic and Zeljko
Popovic played a crucial role in arranging There were some challenges, however. The weather was
not ideal. It was either too stiflingly hot, or else there
and taking part in the Mission Trip too. was a thunderstorm and flooding which meant our visit
The team reported: to the Legal Centre was cancelled and even the hospital
(where we met the Assistant Director) had been flooded
“It was such an encouragement to receive a wonderful and there had been a fire as the result of the lightning.
welcome wherever we went, and we are certain this Parking was also an issue as there did not appear to
was because of all the prior planning and visitation be any spare spaces for parking anywhere in Belgrade.
undertaken by Dragan especially. We thank God that We also did not appreciate too much the plethora of
we encountered so many open doors for His Word and mosquitos who wanted to join in the Mission!!
there was a real sense of unity of spirit and vision that we
enjoyed throughout the visit. Nonetheless, we wish to thank folk for their prayers for
this Mission Trip. We learnt a lot from it which will assist
On the Sunday after we arrived each couple took part greatly in any future planning.
in speaking at a church service in the city, and there
was a heartfelt welcome from all the churches and very We want to convey that this was a wonderful time
encouraging services were held. There appeared to of warm fellowship and a great time of mutual
be great support for the ministry of GOOD NEWS for encouragement, and we left with thanksgiving to God
Everyone! with many friends and supporters coming for our safety, the blessings we experienced and the
around with us all week. wonderful open doors for His Word.
We experienced some wonderful visits, especially to We wish to record our grateful thanks to Dragan and
the Home for Abused Women, a prison in Vranji, the Zeljko, for all the effort and hard work they put into
Army Veterans’ Centre and the Fire Fighters Association. making this trip possible."
We estimate 7846 New Testaments and 210 HOPE Submitted by Bill Thomas on behalf of the Serbia
magazines were given out, with no refusals. We need to Mission Trip
pray now that these copies of God’s Word will not stay
in boxes or on shelves but will be opened and read, and
that the Holy Spirit will use them for the salvation of
many men, women and young people.

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18/03/2025 16:34
News Spring_Summer 2025.indd 11
News Spring_Summer 2025.indd 11 18/03/2025 16:34