Kujtim Rushiti is a pastor in Albania.
When did you trust Christ?
I was born in a muslim family, and growing up, this was my cultural identity, though I never prayed, read the Quran, or attended a mosque. The first Christian I met was a missionary from Ohio. She not only proclaimed the Gospel in words when given the opportunity, but she also lived out the truths of the Gospel before us. I believe the Lord used her genuine faith and her love to soften my heart and draw me to Himself. When I was 16 years old, for the first time, I began grasping the power of sin in my life. I had an overwhelming sense of my own failures, even though I desperately wanted to be a good person. It was while reading Scripture that I encountered the living God, as He revealed Himself to me in the person of Jesus. I was convinced that what I was reading was the truth; nevertheless, the fear of rejection from family and friends, the fear of betraying my family and abandoning my family roots, was agonising. Several months later, God graciously helped me overcome these fears by giving me peace that surpasses understanding and the gift of faith to trust Jesus for forgiveness and new life.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
First, my pastor and his wife discipled me after coming to faith. My pastor's wife noticed my musical talent and taught me to play guitar. Then I was invited to join the worship team and later was asked to lead the worship at our house church. This helped me grow because it kept me committed to the church and sparked my love for serving and leading people there. Another defining moment in my walk with God was the opportunity to study for vocational ministry at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This was an incredible time to grow in spiritual formation and understanding my new identity in Christ. After coming to the US to study at Moody, I began attending the Orchard Evangelical Free Church. During my time at the Orchard, I served the Lord in children and high school ministry and in evangelistic outreach, and I was given the opportunity to preach to the congregation from time to time. Following the completion of my BA and MA studies at the Moody Bible Institute, I completed a two-year residency program with the Orchard Network and the Orchard EFC.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I believe the Forum will help me to continue to grow as a leader and as a minister of God's Word. In addition, it will be a great encouragement to share time with other leaders who are serving God in various contexts throughout Europe and the world.
What is your ministry?
Presently, my family and I have responded to God’s call to serve in missions through church planting in Durres, Albania. We have been in Durres for many years, and we have seen God do incredible things in us and through us for His glory. I am currently an elder and pastor there. I am also the Executive Director of American Language School, a centre that serves around 160 students of different ages.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
Some of the past leadership roles include: Camp leader for three summers with the House of Laughter, Music and Worship leader at the local house church in my hometown, and church Elder.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I believe investing in me will help reach more people with the Gospel.
