Jelena Sivulka is the founder of Hana's Hope, a non-profit organisation that cares for families with disabilities, in Serbia.
When did you trust Christ?
When I was 18, I heard the Gospel for the first time in my life at the Calvary Chapel Outreach. After a few days, I prayed to receive Christ into my heart.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
My family was against anything that had to do with the church, Jesus, or Christianity in general. Thus, to go to church was a constant battle at home. I was involved in youth ministry, IFES-student ministry, and all of that helped me grow and develop as a Christian during this difficult time. Also, I was disciple by my pastor’s wife and she helped me in my Christian walk.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
As a pastor's wife, psychologist, and director of a non-profit organisation, coming to the Forum was crucial for my development, encouragement, and growth. Each year, I now have the privilege of seeing members of my team join me at ELF, where they learn and connect with others. ELF has been instrumental not only in my spiritual journey but also in the growth and development of Hana's Hope. It has helped our team grow in every area—spiritually, intellectually, and socially. For over the years, this has been the best place that the Evangelical community has for learning, growing, and impacting the next generation. I don't want to miss God at work. Also, the Forum has become a family reunion where I know my strength will be replenished, my knowledge will increase, and I will be cared for and loved.
What is your ministry?
I have been dedicated to disability work for nearly two decades. I am the founder and director of Hana's Hope NGO. Our organisation serves, educates, and cares for families and individuals affected with disabilities, partnering with Joni & Friends. Recently, our team has expanded, and we are now supporting the development of similar organizations across the Balkan Region. In addition, I am a writer and speaker, passionately sharing the importance of pain and suffering in our spiritual walk. Lastly, I oversee a counselling school and am actively building lay counselling support within the Christian community in the MENA Region.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
Prior to funding Hana’s Hope, I was a youth leader, I was a school psychologist, and I was involved in my husband’s church planting movement.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
There isn’t one area of my life that has not been influenced in a positive way through the Forum. As a result, who I am has changed. I know Him more, want to serve Him more, and have more opportunities to do that. My husband and I are in full-time ministry in Serbia, and we live on the support we get from church. Also, we love to help many young people who cannot afford even the discounted amount.
