“Leader to leader” conference
During March 2018, we had the opportunity to serve to Christian pastors and leaders from Albania and Kosovo together with our partners from The Tide Ministry. Our partnership started in January 2015, when we began producing and airing a new radio program in the Albanian language with local pastors. These programs, titled “Sipas Fjales,” meaning “According to the Word,” have been used as a church planting tool as pastors make disciples of listeners who respond to the Gospel. Since that time, we have been able to reach more people with the good news and to equip new believers with solid biblical materials until they become active part of the local church. This time, our friends from The Tide where in Albania to offer a special training called Leader to Leader. Fifty pastors and leaders coming from different cities in Albania and Kosovo came together to get refreshed and learn how to serve God wholeheartedly in their ministries. Pastor Jeton from Kosovo mentioned: “In our leadership role, we face lots of opposition from the outside and many challenges from the inside. As we work to help believers grow in their faith, we need so much to stop and reflect on what we are doing and learn how we can become better leaders. For this reason, this conference has been very important. Thank you!” Ilir from Tirana said: “The Albanian church is so much in need to hear such a message! We need to go back to our first love with Jesus and live in close relationship with him daily! As Christian leaders, we get busy with ministry and daily life challenges, for this reason these three days conference has been a refreshment for me personally!” Many of the participants mentioned that it was very important getting together and sharing experiences with pastors from Albania and Kosovo, discussing on our leadership challenges and successes. We are thankful for this partnership with The Tide Ministry as we work together to build up the Albanian church leadership. As the first generation of Christians in the country, we believe that such initiatives will improve our leadership and equip our pastors and leaders to reach better our nation.