Belgrade – All of a sudden there was war! And the refugees appeared. That’s what happened to Yugoslavia as it began to disintegrate early in the 1990s. How should one respond? That’s the question members of Belgrade’s Baptist congregation were asking. So they did what Christians have always done in dire circumstances: They prayed for help. Those prayer meetings resulted in a plan to aid the refugees. The challenges were immense: two million people in a profoundly multi-ethnic country suddenly on the run. They were fleeing violence or had been driven out by their neighbours – those whom they had until now always regarded as friends.

The Baptists began by inviting in 200 refugees. The congregation opened its doors for them, served them coffee and tea and listened to their stories. It quickly became clear what the uprooted needed most: food and clothing, medicines and living space – but also spiritual counsel and encouragement. So the Christian relief agency Bread of Life came into being and was officially registered in July 1992. Other congregations in the city were on-board from the beginning, ranging from the Orthodox to the Pentecostals. Fear of contact did not – and does not – exist.

One of the first helpers was Jasmina Tosic. She had just lost her job in Belgrade as accountant for a meat-processing firm which had closed its doors because of the war. But it was clear to her that people, who had lost much more than she had, needed help. Emergency aid was initially the issue, not long-term support. Dependencies were to be avoided. What this relief agency with some foreign support accomplished, is nearly incredible. Belgrade was hit with three waves of refugees: 1991/92, 1995 and 1999. The people arrived from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. During its first 12 years, Bread of Life supported 40.000 persons longer-term; 90% of them were refugees. The 80-person staff at that time had contact with a total of 500.000 persons. No person seeking help was turned back. 'It was God who was active in all this,' Jasmina Tosic states in retrospect.

But then the war was over. Democratic changes began to appear in Belgrade in 2000, which had by then become the capital of Serbia. What was to become of the tested-and-proven administrative structures developed by Bread of Life? 'We Christians had learned that we can change something,' Jasmina Tosic explained when the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) Executive Committee visited her downtown basement office. The office consisted of three computers in a tiny, dark room, a phone, several tables and chairs. It included clothing supplies in the next room. Everything appeared very modest – but effective.

It had become clear in 2000, that this ministry should be a part of the society’s process of transition and continue to practically demonstrate God’s love to people. Staff was cut back to 30 and new programmes launched aimed at older persons on the fringe of society. Staff members are presently making up to 7.000 house calls annually. In cooperation with city officials, they are administering a broad aid package for the poorest of the poor involving food, clothing, firewood and health care. Legal aid for contact with government offices is included. A day centre was also opened as a remedy for loneliness.

Children’s programmes are still running, aimed above all at Roma (gypsy) children. Particular stress is placed on learning support. The goal is to make children fit for school, to greatly heighten their chances of succeeding in primary school. A programme involving diverse recreational activities intending to strengthen self-esteem is included. This ministry is strongly supported by 20 international organisations stretching from Germany, Austria, England and Sweden to Canada.

Bread of Life’s general principles state that the example of Jesus is to be imitated in all that they do: 'We demonstrate that through love, peace activities, justice, care, patience, through honest and credible programmes.'