Ivica’s story

Blythswood is supporting a mature Christian to undertake the work of a pastor to small congregations in three cities in Serbia.

Ivica Vuckovic was just 21 when he experienced a profound personal conversion which marked a turning point in his life. He dedicated his life to Christ, recognising the importance of spiritual growth and service.

But it was the death of a friend, Pastor Simo Ralevic, more than 30 years later, which caused him to experience a strong conviction that he must accept the responsibilities of Christian leadership.

“Ivica’s calling was confirmed by church members who encouraged him to take up this ministry,” says David Armus who works for Blythswood Serbia. “He is dedicated to preaching and to serving the community in Arandjelovac, Mladenovac and Smederevska Palanka.”

Blythswood has been supporting Ivica in his ministry since 2022. Previously he had worked in public transport, in a grocery store and in a company office. “Blythswood’s support enables Ivica to devote himself more to people and less to material concerns,” David says.

“He has experienced negative reactions from some people and has been exposed to ridicule and verbal attacks but he believes that one-to-one communication is the most effective way to convey the gospel.”

Milan’s story

Milan is a reader and a thinker. While teaching law at a university, he also works from time to time as a translator, being fully conversant with English and German as well as his native Serbian. In his spare time, he likes to read and write.

“I searched for the meaning of life for many years,” he says. “I read many books but was still unsatisfied. I was increasingly uncertain about the existence of God until I started reading the Bible.”

David Armus of Blythswood Serbia invited Milan to join the Christianity Explored course which he was running in Kragujevac. “It helped to resolve many of the questions he had,” David says. “After completing the course, Milan accepted Jesus as his Saviour and went on to be baptised and to publicly acknowledge his faith.”

A Seafarers story

A seaman from Indonesia told volunteers at Invergordon Seafarers’ Centre that he was missing his family and his home church very much. At home, every morning and evening, his family read from the one copy of the Bible which they have in their own language. “He was so pleased when we offered him a Bible for himself,” says port chaplain Drew Anderson. “We were able to tell him that there was a Christian fellowship on board his vessel. Later he met the fellowship leader and they left the church together, taking more Bibles for the group.”

Around 130 cruise ships visited the Cromarty Firth in 2023, some of the bigger vessels having crew of 1,000 or more. On ships of such a size, crew members are not all known to each other and may be unaware of colleagues who share their faith. The Seafarers’ Centre can play a vital role in putting visitors in touch with other Christian believers on the same boat.

Hosted by Invergordon Parish Church, the Centre is just six miles from Blythswood’s headquarters at Highland Deephaven. This year Blythswood Care has provided the Centre with Scriptures – complete Bibles and copies of the New Testament – in no fewer than 18 languages, reaching crew members from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

“A young man from Zimbabwe came to the church and told us they were starting an onboard fellowship that week,” Drew says. “We offered him the last NIV Study Bible which we had and he was overjoyed. Through tears he told us that he had prayed daily for three years for that Bible. He was praising and thanking the Lord for providing this the very week he was to start leading a group.”

Valentina’s story

Valentina Feodorova leads a small team of pastoral workers from Bethany Baptist Church in Chisinau, Moldova, bringing practical aid and Christian friendship to some of the poorest people in what is one of the poorest countries in Europe. She tells us about a recent visit:

We visited Ceadir-Lunga in the south of Moldova. This town is like a big village with many small, old houses. We met many people who were lonely and needy, to whom we could give a package of food and tell them about the love of God. When we entered one yard, we saw a woman in black. Her name is Domnika. She lives alone. Her son lived across the border, in Ukraine. Two weeks ago, he was killed in the war. She wanted to go to the funeral, but they didn't let her because she didn't have a passport. She needed comfort, and we had the opportunity to speak to her about Jesus and the hope He gives. She was thankful for the food package she received.