Czech Republic

Pavel, TCM National Director, graduated from TCM in 1995 and earned his M.Div. in 2005.  He brought greetings from his wife, Jitka, who is home taking care of their eight-month-old baby, and five-year-old son Matos.  He then gave his report:  

I am the vine, and you are the branches.   If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit.  But you cannot do anything without me.  John 15:5  (CEV)

I do not say anything new when I say that Czech nation is very atheistic.  Not only is the number of people attending churches low.  We can see that the total spiritual influence of Christianity on our society weakens – and this has very negative impact on the overall spiritual and ethical life of our society, including politics, laws, schools, moral values, family life, etc.  Many times when we get to discussion with non-believers we encounter two reactions:  Some people are very liberal and tolerant.  They say, you can believe in whatever you want, but do not tell me that I should believe the same thing too.  Other people are verbally quite aggresive to anything that is connected with church, no matter that they do not really know what they refuse.  Average Czechs do not know too much about biblical Christianity or Church, but they have strong opinions against them.  In spite of the fact that typically Czech people refuse traditional churches, deep inside of their hearts they long for something spiritual which would fill their lives.  However, many times they seek for the answers in eastern religions, astrology or the occult.

In this situation we serve our Lord as his soldiers.  And we know that in order to bear fruit, we must abide in Jesus, because we are not able to do anything on our own.  I am so glad that TCM prepares men and women for the work of the Gospel in our country and that this ministry is fruitful!  I see a lot of very committed students and graduates of TCMI Institute who minister as pastors, mission workers, elders, youth and children workers, family counselors, church planters, worship leaders, etc.

Let me share about the ministry of some (not all) students.

Church Planting

Jana Z. – Jana ministers to non-churched children in a children’s club.  She leads a discipleship group of teenage girls.  She is a part of a mission team which plants new churches in Brno. They organize Alpha courses, English summer camps, they began Sunday worship services (with average of 15 people).

Dalibor N. – Serves as an elder of the new church in Ceske Budejovice.  He teaches, preaches, shepherds, helps new Christians to grow, while having a secular job.  He wrote: “Perhaps the greatest miracle in my life now is that after many years of waiting, God gives me my wife Jitka.”  Both of them have strong desire to go to full time ministry.

Working with Youth

Rachel B. – Works for a Christian organization called Christian Youth Academy (Josiah Venture in the USA).  The largest project of this organization is weekly youth TV program called “EXIT 316”, which talks about life issues from Christian perspective and this way spreads the knowledge about God and Christanity in our country.  About 200 small groups began to meet all over the country, where young people, both Christian and non-Christian, watch TV and then discuss the topics from the show.  More than 3,000 New Testaments were given to young people.  It starts to bear fruit, some young people are coming to Christ!  Rachel is also involved in the ministry to women, she evangelizes and disciples them.  In her home church they organize each year 3-day open-air evangelism meetings.

Radek K. – Radek and his wife Laura started wonderful ministry to unchurched youth in the town of Kurim.  Radek coaches a floorball team, Laura offers English lessons.  They run a youth club in a garage of their house, where they share openly about Christ.  They led several young people to Christ and they also disciple them.  Two students will be baptized this month.

Zdenek P. – Zdenek has been leading an outreach children’s club in Brno suburb since 2003.  In summer 2006, he started a ministry to teens in his church.  They bring together the kids from the street and the church kids and take them on weekend trips and summer camps.  Zdenek is also an elder of his church, he teaches and preaches in Brno and in a small village church.  His main responsibility is evangelism.  Zdenek has been preparing an outreach team for the Alpha courses which will start in the fall.  His family is involved in children’s AWANA club.

Jan J. – National youth leader for his denomination.  He is fully involved in teaching youth leaders, organizing youth events, visiting churches, preaching.  His desire is not only to minister to young people, but also to bring the generations together.  He says: “I am glad that TCM Institute gives me an opportunity to grow, study and share with other students.”

Mila F. – She is a youth leader in her church.  They have about 30 young people.  They organize summer camps and weekends for the unbelieving friends.  She disciples two girls and also leads a small group.  She is also involved in worship music group.

Jan F. – Leader of youth groups in two churches.  He also ministers to youth on the denominational level.  He started a new sports club with evangelism focus.  He is an elder and together with his wife they minister to young families in his church.

Teaching Ministry

Pavel and Danka V. – After many years working in their church, they began to minister to church leaders from different churches.  They organize inspirational and encouragement week-ends for leaders, they coach a mission team which plants a new church in a town of Bruntal.  Pavel preaches in churches.  They also do some leadership training for secular managers.

Pavel M. – Is full time in ministry to men, teaching and equipping them for their roles of husbands and fathers. Together with his wife they organize family seminars and week-end retreats.  He is also an elder and teacher in his church.

Julia R. – Works together with her husband in a family ministry.  They organize seminars for different churches. They teach on topics of family, marriage, sexuality, relationships, Christian counseling, pastoral care for Christian workers and pastors.  They also do personal and family counseling.

Pastors

Nick L. and his wife Anna – Nick serves as a pastor in a village church.  He is very mission-minded but struggles with many obstacles, mainly with the indifference of people.  Nick and his wife are also involved in ministry to teens, from both within and outside of their church.  Nick writes: “TCM Institute is a great encouragement to us.  It is a place where we can grow spiritually, where we draw hope for future.  It is a place where God teaches us many things, inspires us and transforms our visions and faith.  We thank all sponsors and all who invest to TCMI Institute.  Without them we would be spiritually much poorer.”

Pavel M. – Is a pastor of a local church in city of Sumperk.  His church is targeting on reaching young generation.  They have five special programs that happen during the week in order to build relationships and share the Good News with them.  There are about 50 non-Christian students and children who come to their programs every week.  Last year seven new students received Christ.  This year they plan to add one summer camp for kids that will focus on sports.  His wife Marcela ministers to young mothers and women.  Pavel and his wife have a new baby, Elen Anna, 7 months old.  “We are very blessed by the TCM ministry for it gives a place where we can prepare and refocus in our ministry in order to be more effective in our efforts.”

Ivo S. – Pastor in Karlovy Vary.  He says:  “When I studied at the TCMI Institute, I always returned home with new inspiration, refreshed and encouraged by fellowship with teachers, fellow students, TCM staff and short term workers.  I am very thankful to God for you.  I see TCM as a gift from the Lord to me.  Your self-sacrifice is always new example for me.  I am glad that I can give out what I received through TCM.”

Petr C. – Now pastor in church in Olomouc.  Graduated from M.Div. program in 2006.  Petr Jana married in June 2007.

Pavel C. – Last year our church finished major reconstruction project.  This new building with over 250 seats in the main sanctuary is not only beautiful, but it offers many new opportunities for ministry.  We hosted an international conference, organized several concerts, our kids performed Christmas play, etc.  This church is very active in different ministries, such as children ministry, AWANA club, club for unchurched children and youth, growing youth ministry, ministry to mothers, families, senior citizens, Romany people, etc.  This summer we will host a TCM in-country conference for the first time and we hope this cooperation between TCMI and our church will develop so our church will become strategic partner for providing organizational support of TCMI classes in our country.

On behalf of our students, our churches and myself let me thank you all who support this wonderful ministry of TCMI Institute.  It surely brings much fruit for God’s glory!