Ratimir Pilja is a pastor and professional counsellor in Croatia.
When did you trust Christ?
I was a civilian during the war in Croatia from 1991 to 1995. All these experiences caused me to commit my life to Jesus in 1997. After searching, I picked my faith, answered the call, and never looked back.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
I have had a few life-changing experiences. My conversion was a process that lasted a couple of years. There is no one defining moment; instead, when I look back, God was always with me and guiding my steps. In short, my life is like Psalm 23. I have enemies and walk in the valley of the shadow of death, but the Lord is with me.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I hope to gain more wisdom on how I need to change myself to attract more people with a different set of skills. Looking at the Bible and studying the life of King David seems to be a good place to start. He did a lot with a small group of people that he was with. As a leader, I look at him as a perfect example of a wise manager going through difficult times. Also, I would like to make friends in the group and maybe find someone with whom I can work on my goals.
What is your ministry?
I am a pastor in a small, rural Baptist church and also a professional counsellor, training for a European license in psychotherapy. My goal is to focus on helping people recover from trauma. I enjoy working with blue-collar workers and providing mental and practical support.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I pastor a small rural church in a poor area of Croatia. I was the director of a small construction company in Sisak, Croatia, for seven years. I led the intervention team in crisis/disaster situations in the Croatian Red Cross. I have participated in flood events, migrant crises, and earthquake events in the last ten years. Now, my focus is on working with people who have PTSD.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Someone should invest in my ministry because I serve people in need.
