Afrim Karoshi is co-founder of Albanian Digital Connection and an elder at his church in Albania.
When did you trust Christ?
I grew up in communist Albania. When communism ended, and we gained freedom of religion, I began to search for the truth. I practiced the Muslim religion for a year, but wasn't satisfied with the answers, and life felt meaningless. Before I started my university studies, a group of Christians showed the Jesus film in my area. As a result of that encounter, I decided to trust Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
During college, I grew in my Christian walk by sharing my faith with others and studying the Bible in groups. While I served as a full-time missionary with Cru, I gained a great deal of knowledge and wisdom in leading people, organisations, and strategy. God used my studies at Dallas Theological Seminary to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of theology and ministry. My experience co-founding Albanian Digital Strategies taught me to depend on the Lord. As an elder for our church, I have grown in the areas of preaching and discipleship.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Through the Cambridge Leadership Network in 2024 and participating in the Albanian Leadership Network, I have developed great partnerships. By participating in the Forum this year, I hope to learn from more seasoned leaders about ministry and leadership, dialogue with leaders who face similar challenges, and learn about ministry in Europe.
What is your ministry?
At Albanian Digital Connection, we introduce Jesus to Albanians, both inside and outside the country. We accomplish this by addressing issues of faith, culture, leadership, and relationships. Our web and social media presence allows us to interact with thousands of people every day. We also publish Christian resources specifically for the needs of the Albanian church, and aim to resource and encourage Albanian Christian writers.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I served as a full-time missionary with Cru for 21 years, with ten years on their Albania leadership team. I have been an elder in the church for over 12 years and have experience leading teams for over 15 years. I have also opened several new ministries.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
There is a growing need for the Gospel among Albanians, and I would like to develop great resources for the Albanian church. I want to be theologically equipped to impact our culture and prepare for long-term fruitfulness by gaining insight into ministry experiences. Through our digital ministry, we are able to connect with a lot of people.
