Rijeka – The youth work of Croatia’s Baptist Union is facing major changes. An initial seminar was just held in Crikvenica near Rijeka for youthful church workers. Fifty young persons from 14 congregations attended. This is regarded as a response to the vision of the church’s President, Toma Magda (Osijek). For three years now, Union leadership has been committed to developing new leaders by 2020. To this end, the National Youth Coordinator, Svjetlana Mraz, has launched a two-year programme. The programme consists of eight one-day and weekend seminars; the gathering in Crikvenica was seen as the first in this series.

Dr. Jeff Carter (Prague), the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) Youth Coordinator, spoke on healthy foundations for youth ministry and introduced the HORIZONS-Programme, which he has developed. He assured that his meeting with this group will not remain a one-time event; other gatherings are being planned. In a conversation with EBPS press service, Carter expressed amazement regarding the young people’s eagerness to learn: 'The discussion in small groups was very lively.' He felt great satisfaction in seeing that the material he had developed was indeed touching and changing lives.

Toma Magda also drew positive conclusions: 'This proves to me that our efforts in the past three years were not in vain, and that we as a Union are going in the right direction. Our Lord still cares for his church and is providing her with a future.'

Svjetlana Mraz was positively surprised by the results. Not only did the young people report enthusiastically in their home congregations about the seminar, concrete results were also noted. A brand new youth group was founded in Osijek, in the eastern part of the country. A youth group in the country’s capital, Zagreb, received fresh encouragement for its work. People are presently witnessing the wonders of God: 'The young people themselves are now trying to get other young people in church excited about Him.' This is all a result of the fact that seminar participants not only spoke with each other – they also had new experiences with God.

Fifty congregations with a total of 2.000 members form the Baptist Union of Croatia.