Combine a beautiful European location with a group of committed Christians, and you have the setting for ten days of spiritual gourmet feasting. God is doing great things through dedicated men and women in the cities, villages, jungles, deserts, and everywhere in between.
We were united by common struggles—supporting ministries around the world cry out for staff, all face financial hardship, and all are tempted with discouragement. Yet adversity pales when compared to the amazing ways in which God is working worldwide. Who could fail to be inspired by the Ukrainian school, “Our Home,” that graduates hundreds of lay evangelists and medical missionaries each year? Or by Country Life Prague, a multi-million dollar Adventist health food business incorporating stores, restaurants, health clubs and health evangelism, an organic farm, and a huge health food wholesaling warehouse?
And to youth like me, I want to say that there are exciting opportunities all over the world for you in God’s work! He is calling for young people to prepare to lead—a number of these institutions are run by young people under 30. Could you imagine managing an Adventist health food business at 28? For Rahel in Switzerland, it’s a challenging yet satisfying reality. What about pioneering a rural lay ministry training school at the age of 25? For Biser in Bulgaria, it is the essence and substance of his dreams. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1Timothy 4:12
I am more than ever convinced that when you are on God’s side, amazing things are not simply a future possibility. They are yours for the taking. Budgets, resources, lack of staff, and the bank manager aren’t the problems. Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills! There is only one limiting factor to success – our faith. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
Thanks to James Higgins of Eastward Missionary College in Australia for the report. For the full version of his experience, click here. See our gallery of pictures from the retreat here.
