Youth ministry in the church is a way Zijah and Lorena care for refugees, especially ones of a Muslim background.
About the Ministry
As the refugee crisis continues to flare throughout Europe, Wave and the Bosnia church have born a powerful witness through love, service, and care. Zijah desires to start a tidal wave of learning, teaching, and serving that ripples and multiplies in the church and beyond.
Wave believes that a church building should never be empty, that no area of expertise should go unused to benefit the community, and that people should be regularly invited to serve.
Living in the refugee corridor, Zijah, alongside his church, is constantly serving refugees (especially those from the Middle East and Ukraine) physically and inviting them to a relationship with Jesus spiritually.
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.
Ministry Focuses
Meet the Leader: Zijah (pseudonym)
Zijah is a partner with insight, tenacity, and deep love for their country. He has worked hard for many years to love his neighbors, share good news, and make an enduring impact in this majority-Muslim nation.
As people come in from outside the church for free education opportunities, they are invited to join with church members in initiatives at a home for children with special needs, and reaching out with food, clothing, friendship, and the good news to the many refugees flowing through Bosnia. As people see love in action, their hearts are changed.
Bosnian hearts are changed by giving love to others, and the hearts of refugees are changed by receiving this love. As a result, Zijah is also working to plant sister churches in Bosnia, and supporting newly believing refugees as they move on to represent Christ throughout Europe.
Funding Priorities
Prayer Requests
- That leaders and church members would have compassionate understanding for refugees coming from Afghanistan
- That different people groups would interact peacefully as they come from warring regions
- That many refugees would come to know Jesus as their Savior
- That their projects would spread and encourage churches all throughout Europe
- That new believers from other religious backgrounds would have courage and endurance in the light of persecution
Recent Updates
Focused Refugee Ministry from Bosnia to Poland to Ukraine
During the crisis in Ukraine, they have also been serving pastors and churches in Poland that care for refugees fleeing the war.
Preparing the Next Trip to the Ukrainian Border
"We are ready for the next trip to the border between Poland and Ukraine... this time we want to be more effective... "
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)