Local members, volunteers, and special guests came together for the second Albanian Family Camp, held September 8–10, 2023, in Elbasan. The weekend, part of the Christ for Europe initiative, was filled with worship, Bible study, and two beautiful baptisms.

Pastor Elbert Kuhn, associate secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, served as the main speaker. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with locals to share the Gospel, stating, “Together, we can make a difference. When we sit, talk, plan, and address the needs of the field, we can truly achieve something great for the Lord.”

This camp was part of a broader effort, according to pastor Delmar Reis, president of the Albanian Mission (AM). He explained, “The idea behind this project is to bring all members from Albanian churches together annually, allowing them to get to know each other better, build stronger relationships, and deepen their understanding of God.”

On Sabbath evening, two baptisms took place in the hotel’s swimming pool. Mirela Zyla, one of the baptized individuals, had the privilege of being baptized by her own son, Pastor Marko Frasheri. She shared her gratitude, saying, “I had longed for this moment, and God made it happen at the right time. It was beautiful to be baptized by my son and become part of God’s family.”

Pastor Frasheri echoed this sentiment, stating, “When I saw my mother in the water, there are no words to describe how I felt! I realized that dreams do come true, and God speaks through our dreams.”

First Evangelistic Video Series in Albanian

The Sabbath program also featured the launch of the first evangelistic video series in Albanian, titled The Teachings of Jesus. Produced in collaboration with Hope Channel Brazil, Pastor Gentian Thomollari explored key teachings of Jesus, guiding viewers to delve deeper into the Bible. A follow-up study on the prophecies of Daniel, led by Pastor Servet Dema, is scheduled for release in November.

Pastor Thomollari expressed his belief that these Bible study series will greatly benefit Albanians: “Through these recorded videos, many Albanians may have their first encounter with Christ, providing our local Adventist Church with an opportunity to expand its missionary work and evangelistic initiatives.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division website.