Janine Lacho is a professional counsellor in Slovakia.
When did you trust Christ?
I grew up in a Protestant family in a Catholic country. My grandmother profoundly influenced my spiritual journey; she prayed for and spoke to me about God. Though I officially started my spiritual journey in high school when my classmate asked me: 'Do you know God?' She invited me to a Christian youth meeting where, for the first time, I saw a community of young people joyfully and passionately worshipping God. I was captivated, and I longed for a personal relationship with God. I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus at the age of 15 when I understood that I was sinful and that Jesus laid down His life for me. It was a fundamental turning point in my life.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My defining moments are making a public commitment and declaration to follow Christ through baptism and joining the local church (where my pastors significantly influenced me and taught me what it means to follow Christ in daily life, including reading God's Word, serving, and receiving a call to serve in the Kingdom of God.) My husband's family has been believers for a long time, and they have modelled for me what a Christian family looks like.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I look forward to networking with other like-minded leaders. I would like to grow in leadership skills grounded in biblical principles. I would also like to meet other Christian psychotherapists from the European region and learn from their best practices and approaches to counselling people.
What is your ministry?
Professionally, I am the Program Director in the organisation Cesta Von, overseeing 100 people. My primary focus is helping the Roma population break generational poverty cycles. Outside of work, I co-lead a unique marriage prevention program called Marriage REFRESH, which is reaching hundreds of couples in Slovakia and beyond.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I led an evangelistic coffee-house outreach centre, various types of small groups in the church, the program development and implementation for three major Slovak non-profit organisations (as a professional), and the Marriage REFRESH online program (2021-2024). I have also served in a professional counselling role.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Though I never desired it, God has been opening doors for me to minister to more and more people in leadership roles and to have a more significant influence than I ever imagined. I realise I need to grow, learn, and be equipped for these opportunities. ELF is a unique Forum where European Christian leaders meet and grow together.
