SPOTLIGHT Central Europe

Central Europe Church Leaders Convene in Prague

     This past week I had the honor of hosting the annual Central Europe Superintendent's Summit in Prague. Executive leaders from the Pentecostal Churches in Central Europe gathered for a closed summit to discuss issues concerning the relevance of the church in our changing world, and faith within the context of the culture of Central Europe. Delegations from the Czech Republic (Bishop: Martin Moldan); Hungary (President: Albert Patakey); Slovakia (Bishop: Jan Laho); and Switzerland (President: Max Schläpfer) attended (see photo).
      Our guest speaker for Tuesday evening was Mr. Daniel Raus. Mr. Raus is a journalist and the Editor of Religious Broadcasting for Czech Radio. He is also commentator on international politics. He spoke to us about the impact of media on culture. This summit takes place every spring and is sponsored by the Assemblies of God World Missions Central Europe Area.

        

Assemblies of God World Missions and Swiss Pentecostal Church Sign Partnership Document

    May 6th was an historic day in Central Europe missions. On that day, Max Schläpfer--the President of the Swiss Pentecostal Mission--and I signed a partnership document. It was one of the greatest honors of my missionary service.
    With the signing of this document, we (The Assemblies of God World Missions and The Swiss Pentecostal Mission) made a public declaration of our willingness to partner together, with integrity and honesty, for the purpose of accelerating the spread of the Gospel in Switzerland, Central Europe, Europe and the world. The attached clip is a short video of that historic moment.

Central Europe Superintendent's Conference

    Sherry and I just returned from Senec, Slovakia where we hosted the annual Central Europe Superintendent's Conference. The leaders of the Pentecostal churches from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland along with their assistants and their spouses attended the three day meeting. Visiting with us at this year's conference was Daryle Erickson and Dave Collins. Both Daryle and Dave are working with ICI/Global University Europe.

   Pictured in the photo above are the Superintendents who attended the conference. Below is photo of all who attended the meeting.

 

Central Europe Breakaway 2008

   

 

   





   Yesterday evening we returned from the Central Europe Breakaway 2008.  This year's breakaway was held in Switzerland at the hotel Seeblick. The Hotel is owned an operated by the Swiss Pentecostal Church.
   The whole Central Europe Missionary team meet together for a time to breakaway from ministry responsibilities and be refreshed both spiritually and physically.
    Pictured in the photo on the left are the Central Europe Missionaries who attended the Breakaway. Next to that photo is a view from the top of the mountain.

Missionary Gloria Young Arrives on the Field

    This morning at 10:35 AM Assemblies of God Missionary Gloria Young arrived in Vienna, Austria for her first term. Sherry and I were glad to be at the airport to welcome Gloria as she walked through customs, her luggage in hand and a smile on her face. She will be ministering to international people at Vienna Christian Center in Vienna, Austria. We welcome Gloria to Central Europe.

 

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    It is our wish that during this very busy time of the year, you and your family will find moments of rest and moments of reflection on the true meaning of Christmas...Christ the Savior is born. From Vienna, Austria, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The Sabella Family

We Were There When the Borders Came Down!

 We just experienced a moment of historical proportions. Upon our return from the Czech Republic, we were not stopped at the border. In fact there was no border. The boarders were to come down tomorrow morning at 12:01 AM, but even early this evening the guards were already waving people through without checking. Some were celebrating and taking pictures of their long time colleagues. Sherry, Philip, Jonathan and I were there! Nope, didn't have a camera!! It is now possible to travel from Slovakia to Hungary, to Austria, to the Czech Republic, to Poland, to Germany and to the rest of Europe without going through boarder control crossings. Click here to read the BBC article about this historic moment. Click here to see photos.

Just Returned from P.E.M. and AD Meetings in Budapest, Hungary

    Sherry and I just returned from Budapest, Hungary where we attended both the Pentecostal European Mission (PEM) Conference and our Europe Area Director's Meetings.
    At the PEM conference missions leaders from all over Europe gathered together for prayer and planning. These leaders from Europe have a heart for the lost and are looking for unique ways to reach the world with the Gospel. It was a great honor to be at these meetings.
    Following the PEM conference, all of the Area Directors from Europe gathered together for our regular AD meetings. On Sunday morning we, along with the missionaries from Hungary, attended church together. Regional Director Greg Mundis preached in the service.
    The photo is of John Butrin and Paul Gracza. John is a missionary in Germany and was the missionary representative at the AD meetings for the Central Europe Area. Paul is a missionary to Hungary. This photo was taken following a long day's meetings.

Assemblies of God Executives and Regional Director Visit Central Europe

    We were honored to have visiting with us Brothers Trask, Garrison, Bridges, Mundis and their wives. Brother Trask is the former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Brother Garrison is the Assistant General Superintendent, Brother Bridges is the General Treasurer of the Assemblies of God and Brother Mundis is the Europe Regional Director for the Assemblies of God World Missions.
    Their visit began in Moosburg, Germany where they visited the church of missionaries Steve and Astrid Dunn. We then traveled to Vienna, Austira. While in Vienna, we held a reception for our guests. Many of the missionaries from Central Europe and national leaders attended the reception. 
    On Sunday each had an opportunity to preach in a different location. Brother Trask spoke at the Austrian church in Vienna, Brother Garrison spoke at the Vienna Christian Center and Brother Bridges spoke at a Slovak church in Bratislava, Slovakia. 
    From Vienna the team traveled to Garmish, Germany were they were guests at the Assemblies of God Military Ministries Conference.
    If you would like to know more about the executive leadership team of the Assemblies of God click here:  Assemblies of God Executive Leadership Team.

MITs in Austria Finish Strong--Begin Preparations to Return to Austria

    Missionaries in Training (MIT) Alan and Michelle Ambrose are finishing strong. On June 5th they return to the USA to begin iteneration to raise support for their return to Austria as fully appointed Assemblies of God Missionaries. Alan and Michelle have been MITs in Austria for the past 3 years. Before coming to Austria they were Missionary Associates in Indonesia for 2 years.
      As MITs the Ambroses have been ministering in the Graz Austria. They have partnered together with the local pentecostal church and are involved in many areas of the church including working with university students (Students for Christ). Alan told me that there are 40,000 university students living in the city of Graz.
      Sherry, Jonathan and I spent the weekend in Graz with the Ambroses. On Sunday morning I had the honor of preaching at the church in which they minister. Pictured in the photo are Pastor Marcus Graf, his wife Christina and their two sons Jonathan and Joshua; Alan and Michelle Ambrose; Sherry, I. Jonathan is behind the camera taking the picture :)