About Wave: Refugee Care, Education, and Outreach
Wave is about making the most of every resource a church has to serve the local community. The goal of Wave is to start a tide of learning, teaching, and serving that ripples and multiplies in the church and beyond. The unique strategies of Wave have proven remarkably effective at meeting people's needs, and reaching Bosnia and beyond.
The principles of Wave are that 1) a church building is never empty, 2) that no area of expertise goes unused to benefit the community, and that 3) people are regularly invited to serve. Every day of the week, the church tries to make sure its doors are open for people to teach and learn. In Zijah and Lorena's city in Bosnia, this means that everything from aerobics, to computer programming, to English and Bible courses may be happening at the church on a weekly basis.
Then, once a year, the church puts on what is called a "Wave intensive". Wave intensives bring together teachers and volunteers from all over the world to do intensive courses in almost any subject area imaginable, for 2-3 weeks. This event is promoted heavily in the community and is the primary way that new people come through the doors.
As people participate in these courses, they are invited to join church members in various service opportunities, including caring for the thousands of refugees flowing through Bosnia to the rest of Europe, as well as weekly activities at a home for kids with special needs, and more! In a country with very little understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, people have the opportunity to see what the Christian life is about through action. Refugees from other countries receive love and care, and local Bosnians come along with the church to give that care. Serving others together proves to be an effective way to build relationships, foster community, and share good news.
