Transform Europe Network Takes Steps to Bring Hope to the Balkans

Transform Europe Network (TEN) which is a Christian charity based in Bradley Stoke works with indigenous Christian leaders in Eastern Europe and the Balkans to see lives transformed through evangelism, church planting and compassion ministry. The region is often overlooked as a mission field despite the fact there is a real need for the gospel. So, for over fifty years, TEN has walked alongside local Balkan pastors and Christian leaders to support them in their work.

This year, TEN really has taken the opportunity to walk alongside partners. Through their Walk the Balkans Challenge, staff and supporters have been taking part in sponsored walks to raise awareness of the need for the gospel in Eastern and Southern Europe – particularly countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo. Donations raised will go towards the work of TEN’s partners who are actively involved in sharing the good news of Jesus in their local communities.

As part of the challenge, CEO James Vaughton set up his own event and encouraged people to take on the Trek Musala Challenge – a three-day trek to summit Mount Musala in Bulgaria, the James Vaughton and Pastor Dusa

highest mountain in the Balkans. James was joined by a UK-team, a gentleman from South Korea, two local guides, a friend from North Macedonia and TEN partner, Pastor Dusan Beredi, who leads Novi Sad Christian Fellowship in Serbia. Altogether, fifteen people from six different nations took part.

James and the team achieved their goal when they summited Musala on Tuesday 12^th September. The trek really was a challenge with the team experiencing a range of weather conditions. Across the team, abilities varied but they all rose to the challenge (sorry) and everybody made it to the top!

The Trek Musala team aim to raise £6,000 and already their efforts have encouraged donations of nearly £5,000, so they are well on their way to hitting their target. Reflecting on his experience of the trek, James shared, ‘It was beautiful. It was at times harsh. It was fun. The views were breathtaking. The company and conversation great.’

If you would like to support Trek Musala Challenge, you can make a donation here: https://transformeuropenetwork.enthuse.com/cf/trek-musala-mountain

To find out more about why TEN is ‘Walking the Balkans’, visit: https://ten-uk.org/walk-the-balkans-2023-challenge/.

Further updates from TEN:

Thank God for His goodness and for your continued support! We are really excited about what God has in store as we move into a new season. Here's what's coming up:

News@TEN - Trek Musala Special, Baptisms and Team Opportunities
Free Bible Images - Downloadable images you can use to teach Bible stories
We are coming to CRE! - November's Christian Resources Exhibition is not far away; get your free ticket and support TEN

Blessings

News@TEN

#44 News@TEN Trek Musala Special, Baptisms and Team Opportunities

James Vaughton shares the latest News@TEN from Bulgaria, where he visited partners earlier this month and completed the Trek Musala 2023 Challenge, trekking with 14 people (including TEN partner, Bera from Serbia!) from six different nations to reach the 2925m summit of the Balkan Penninsula. Watch this bumper edition of News@TEN to discover more of God's goodness, grace and how you can get involved. We'd especially like to encourage you to pray for the next generation of leaders in Eastern Europe and the Balkans and here in the UK.

Trek Musala

Walk the Balkans

Harvest for the Hungry

TENteams

Free Bible Images

Sue Watterson, one of our TENteach teachers has found a very useful resource for sharing Bible stories with her English class in North Macedonia. Free Bible Images is a website which has images for hundreds of Bible stories in picture strip form. The main website is in English, and there is a version of the site in Romanian and a few other languages.

All the images are offered free of charge for personal and educational use provided users confirm they agree with the Terms of Download listed for each set of images. Why not have a look and think about how this could help you or your church teach Bible stories and share the gospel more easily?

Free Bible Images Here!

We Are Coming to CRE!

It's not long now until the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) Midlands 2023. Melanie Griffiths and Lucy Reid will be there! This exciting event will take place at Cranmore Park, Birmingham 8-9 November and we would love to see you. Have you got your free ticket yet? For every person who obtains a free ticket using our unique link, CRE will give TEN a £1 for each visitor who comes through the door – as long as we have a minimum of 20 people take up the offer! Just click on the picture below.

We have resources to equip your church for mission at home and in Europe:

TENteam trips – support our partners by joining a team next year, or sending a church team.
For the Nations – a six-week group study looking at God’s heart for mission, with two sessions online with people in Eastern Europe. Why not introduce it to your youth or home group leader?