What is your ministry?
Last year, I became a full-time leader of mission work in our church, including various types of work. For example, I am the leader of the youth ministry. I lead the youth group during the year and am the camp leader during the summer. I lead leaders of small youth groups and one small group of 7 teenagers. I am the team leader of 10 members, responsible for alternative versions of Sunday services in our church. I am also chairman of the mission committee in church.
When did you trust Christ?
I committed my life to Jesus in 2012 when I was 14 during the church summer youth camp. I was part of our church all my life, but during that camp, I saw a personal God who wanted to have a close relationship with me for the first time. In the evening, there was an opportunity to talk and pray with leaders. I came to one older guy who led me in prayer.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
The crucial moment was when we returned from that summer camp, and this guy who led me through my decision to follow Jesus decided to start a small group with me. We studied the Bible together, prayed, and served others for four years. I was a high school student with a small community of Christians. Very soon after I came to Christ, I got an invitation to serve there, and later, I started to lead that community. It brought many challenges to my Christian walk, which caused my spiritual growth. When I was 20, I began to date my wife. Our relationship revealed sin in my life, and God is using my relationship with Anna to lead, humble, and shape me in His image.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
After one year of being part of a full-time mission in the church, I realised that I needed a place to grow spiritually and personally because someone invested in me. I was very thankful for ELF because it was a great time of spiritual refreshment, so I hope it will recharge my battery again. Finally, I want to return because of plenty of inspiration for further ministry.
In one month, I will lead a 3-days retreat for the mission committee of our church. Approximately 15 leaders of various local ministries will attend this retreat and our goal is, according to my YRM assignment, to take an honest look at our church and evaluate it to find out where we are not a healthy church and what we could do about it.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I have led a community of Christians in high school called "DOMINO" for three years. I also led a small group of five young Christians for three years. I had a leadership role in my first full-time job. I worked at Lidl for half a year as an assistant store manager. In this position, I led a team of 7-8 employees.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I am responsible for the mission in the biggest Lutheran church in our country (approximately 3,500 participants). I serve in the third biggest city in our country, with 90,000 residents. Therefore, I have an opportunity to entrust the things I will hear you say to many reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
