Sharing the Gospel in Macedonia

The first pastor we met in Macedonia was Pastor Tony Barbutov of the Evangelical Church of Monospitovo. What a joy it was for our team to spend time with this committed, beloved pastor.

Sharing the Gospel in Macedonia

"Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them."

(Acts 16:10)

Luke records how after Paul received the vision from the Lord, they immediately sought to go to Macedonia. They did not waste any time. They knew God had spoken and given them their clear marching orders. Paul, Silas, Luke, Timothy, and the missionary band of brothers headed out to the same country I am serving in this week: Macedonia.

Paul and the others knew precisely why God had called them to go to this European country. They were not there to rest and relax or take a vacation. They had a mission and a purpose, and it was simply this: "preach the gospel to them." The phrase "preach the gospel" is one Greek word in the biblical text. It is the word euanggelizo, which literally means to bring glad tidings or to share wonderful news. The message of Jesus' life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension was the best news anyone could have ever shared or received. It is the same reason our team of four pastors from the USA are in the country currently. We are here to share Jesus and build up these brothers and sisters in Christ who already know the Lord. I am praying that us being here is a blessing and encouragement to the local evangelical churches.

On the first day of our mission trip, we got started early and had a full day. I literally feel the prayers of many people who are praying for us as we share Jesus and serve Him here in Macedonia. The first pastor we met was Pastor Tony Barbutov of the Evangelical Church of Monospitovo, a village located in the southern part of the country. God has blessed this pastor and his ministry. He has labored faithfully in this city, preaching each Sunday in two locations. We visited the new church under construction. This will be a beautiful church building with an apartment suite built on the top floor. Here is a picture of Pastor Tony and the new church building under construction:

Pastor Tony shared that many of the young adults have left the church to live in other European countries because of the poor economy in Macedonia. However, even though these young professionals have left, they have remained strong in the Lord and gathered in other churches. I was so impressed to hear that eight pastors have come out of this church and now serve in various European countries. The church is very focused on discipleship, and it shows in the fruit God is bearing in and through them for the furtherance of the Gospel.

What a joy it was for our team from America to meet and spend time with this committed, beloved pastor. Speaking of pastors, take some time to reach out to your pastors and ministerial staff today and thank them for the hard work they do for you and your church. Serving as a pastor in a local church, no matter where that church is located, is going to have its hard moments and seasons. Your pastor may be walking through a tough time, and your words of affirmation may be the very thing he needs to keep going.

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Podcast of the Week

Awakenings, Pt. 3

Pastor Danny continues his new mini-series about spiritual awakenings throughout history, continuing on after the Second Great Awakening in the United States.

Listen on your preferred platform: