Re-Thinking Prayer in the BalkansPhilip Evans - 24 Jun 2013

The Balkans need connecting. Followers of Jesus in this unique region of southern Europe need to connect and remember we work for the same kingdom, but also to celebrate the differences and heritage of each culture represented by the 10+ countries across the region from Slovenia to Turkey, from Romania to Albania.

The 24-7 Balkan Connect conference is our simple way of creating an annual gathering for believers in Christ to meet together once a year (in a beautiful location) and share times of teaching, worship, prayer and  connect. Connecting with God, connecting with one another and discovering ways to keep on living for him and believing for change.
 
Our most recent gathering in Ohrid was the 5th successive year we’ve met together since 2009.

Believers represented 8 Balkan nations (Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey) with many other 24-7 friends joining us from across Europe and USA.

The topic of the gathering was ‘Prayer Re-think’ with Susanna Rychiger joining us from Switzerland to share along with Tommie Naumann (Thessaloniki) and Alpin Pop-Nikolov (Skopje). We had moved to a bigger venue for 100 people only weeks before the gathering but soon filled out and we might need to find another location for next year if numbers continue to grow.

The conference itself was very positive but always there are hidden dynamic in these gatherings where people meet for the first time and develop relationships and connections that continue even after everyone has gone home. We enjoyed the challenge to pray more seriously. Alpin gave us all a wonderful overview of church history and creative ways to pray and Susanna along with Robb & Sally Harman (Stanford le Hope, UK) gave us some stories to inspire. Alek Madzarovski (Skopje) led prayers by the lake each morning in keeping with centuries of tradition in Ohrid.
 
What does the Balkan Connect look like in 2014? The answer can wait a while we digest and live out a calling to pray alone, pray together and for our region.