Edi Markaj

I am actively engaged in Church leadership, teaching, and preaching in my local church. I also used to be the youth ministry leader in my local church for many years, supporting youth and young adults to understand the scriptures better and helping them mature in Christ. I am leading the youth ministry in my local church, and I am in the process of confirmation as a Pastor in my local church.
I became a Christian in April of 1999. After having had many discussions with Christian friends about the truth of the Bible, I decided to read it. I read the New Testament several times, and God illuminated my mind and my heart to understand that I am a great sinner and Jesus Christ is a great savior. I realized that salvation is not by deeds but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. I believed that Jesus is God in the flesh who died on the cross, taking my place and paying the cost of my sin. I asked Him to forgive me and make me a new creature in Him. He is doing that faithfully.
When I was only 20 years old, one year after my conversion, many of the mature believers in my church immigrated, so I was asked to preach in the church meetings. As a result, I read the New Testament 12 times in one year, once per month. It helped me to grow in my faith. I am currently in my fourth year of studying theology at the Italian Biblical Evangelical Institute, which has transformed my approach to the Bible and my ministry approach.
The Forum has been the most transformational event of my Christian life and ministry approach. It is the main reason I want to return. I do not doubt that the next European Leadership Forum will bring me to another level of commitment, knowledge, and ministry experience.
I hope that YRM will help me gain some business entrepreneurship skills and help me with some business ideas for my local church to provide income for different church initiatives and ministries. I want to benefit from other best practices on how to be successful in the marketplace and especially how to put this in the interest of the local church and God’s Kingdom enlargement in Albania and beyond.
I was the public health institute's manager in my district for five years. In addition, I have led three different World Vision teams in Albania, and I am part of the leadership group of my church in Lezha.
Investment in me would also be a good investment in the future of the Albanian church's leadership. By attending ELF, I can gain more biblical knowledge and practical ministry ideas and concepts; I can mature in Christian Leadership to serve my church community and beyond; I can build strong relationships with experienced brothers to benefit from their long experience, and I can support and encourage young leaders to go ahead in Lord's ministry and care for His church.