“Church planting is like growing a flower on a rock,” observes OM team member Jael Puusaag. He has served in Bosnia for almost ten years. “The only thing that has kept me going is knowing it’s God’s will. But I agree with what another worker said: ‘I have only one candle. I’d rather let it shine where there’s total darkness than where there’s even a little light.’”

Much of the world forgot the killing fields of Bosnia once the country broke away from Yugoslavia. The three-year struggle between ethnic groups left over 100,000 dead. The hearts of survivors remain deeply scarred. After the conflict, OM began bringing in humanitarian aid, and quickly saw church planting would be a priority. Over time, the team found house churches to be the most culturally relevant model, and is now seeing new Christians using their own initiative to reach out to neighbors. One house group meets for prayer and Bible reading every day.

Amir, a Muslim-background believer, says he first met American team member Caroline Chesnutt when he was a fifteen-year-old student, eager to practice English. “Caroline prayed ten years for me,” he marvels. “Then I went to a Christian conference in Sarajevo, and what I heard was like an explosion. I was torn in two.” But today Amir is an enthusiastic follower of Christ, the only one in his family.

Currently, at least 25 evangelical fellowships exist in Bosnia. They are a small group, shining their candle in a country still tense with ethnic division. From a human standpoint, peace looks nearly impossible between the three main groups. Only the Prince of Peace can penetrate the bitterness between Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim-background Slavs. So the team in Bosnia asks for your prayers. Please lift up these fellowships, as they continue to reach out to their neighbors. And pray for these new believers, that the Lord would strengthen and guide them. Pray for Amir’s family, and for others who may not yet know the love of Jesus. Thank you for your prayers.