Martin Marku is a doctor and a leadership advisor for his local church in Albania.
When did you trust Christ?
In 1998, I was in my first year of specialisation as an infectious disease doctor, and I came into contact with Christian believers for the first time. After a long conversation, they gave me a Bible and invited me to church. Reading the Bible, especially the prologue of the Gospel of John, has helped me understand that Jesus is God who came in the flesh and that I was a sinner and needed Him as my Saviour. Therefore, that year I believed and gave my life to Christ.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
The first defining moment was my involvement in Campus Crusade studies and activities at the Faculty of Medicine. During this period, I grew in my knowledge of God's Word and sharing the Gospel with others who did not know the Lord. I can highlight my participation in an evangelism campaign in the remote villages of Albania. The second is participation and involvement in the activities and services of the Church in Lezha, to which I now belong, specifically, my commitment to sharing God's Word and being part of the church leadership group.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I expect to grow in the knowledge of God's Word in a new dimension, which will help me grow in knowledge and in applying it in my life and the lives of others impacted by my ministry. I also expect to benefit from the rich experiences of believers from other churches in different contexts, which could improve my approach to the Gospel and its sharing in the context where I work and live. I want to grow in Christian leadership to help and offer wise biblical counsel to the brothers leading the church in my city.
What is your ministry?
Recently, I have held the position of chief advisor to the church leaders in the Brethren Church in Lezha, sharing a significant portion of their responsibilities and burdens as pastors. I am also involved in preaching and teaching at the church, particularly in practical and administrative matters. I highly value my contribution as a Christian doctor in providing medical assistance, not only to the members of my church but also more broadly. I also organise worship meetings, welcome attendees, and occasionally open the worship services.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
For seven years, I headed the infectious diseases department at the Rreshen Hospital, and for the next five years, I headed the internal medicine outpatient clinic at the regional hospital in Lezha, a position I still hold today. Additionally, for several years, I have been part of the leadership group of the Brethren Church in Lezha.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
The fact that I have been a Christian for more than 25 years and have been involved in various ministries and fields shows my stability as a Christian believer and my seriousness in contributing to God's Kingdom. Thank God for His work of grace in my life, expressed in my leadership abilities, my impact on others, and especially for the humility and wisdom that characterises me. The believers who surround me confirm this. Also, my goal is to grow and be more useful to God in His service, and it is not for my personal interest.
