Maribor, Slovenia–Nick Vujicic, the famous young Australian man with no arms or legs, has a powerful testimony of a life without limbs but with hope and joy. As his name indicates, he is of Serbian descent, which explains why, with 35,000 invitations every year to speak internationally, he chose to come to Slovenia, a part of the former Yugoslavia where Nick has roots. During his weeklong campaign April 4-10, Nick won over audiences by speaking Serbian for them as well as sharing the message of a hope that he proclaims through his ministry Life without Limbs and his new book Life without Limits.

Randy and Joan Bell, IMB missionaries in Maribor, Slovenia, helped with this evangelistic effort, which was the single largest event of this nature in Slovenia’s history. Nick spoke in five cities, four of which were sold out events, with a total of 16-18,ooo people hearing the message of Christ. He has also had national television coverage and has been featured in every magazine and newspaper, and on every television and radio station in the country.  In addition to the story of his challenging life, in most references he was quoted word for word—clearly sharing that this story was centered on Jesus. The media was so impressed with Nick’s testimony that they named him Man of the Week.

“With the media coverage, there is a potential of two million people having heard his message of having life in Christ,” Randy said.  “What is really unique is that you can reference him in any setting and everyone already knows who he is.”

Currently, Randy is working with a team comprised of members from evangelical churches in Slovenia, fielding response cards from the events and planning follow-up.

“There are 1,850 responses in Maribor alone, over five thousand country-wide, with 75 percent requesting follow-up and wanting to know more about having hope in God,” Randy said.

Already from among the people he personally knows, two individuals were saved and a new bible study home group has begun.

The cooperation of evangelical churches in Slovenia is another milestone brought about by this event.

“I have never seen so many believers working together—another precedent,” Randy said. “Two hundred and fifty volunteers around the country helped pull this event off.”

As for Nick, he was exhausted by the schedule but remained positive and committed.

“He said he had never done an event when he spoke 5 nights in a row, and he never would again,” Randy said laughing. “He was tired and having headaches, but he finished the course. He is an approachable, kind, loving, compassionate and graceful man.”

Nick normally charges a fee for his speaking engagements but waived it for this event and agreed to come to Slovenia with only his expenses covered. Although the Christian community in Slovenia didn’t have a lot of money to pull the event together they came out in the black with some extra to give to Nick as a love offering, because of the Slovene’s receptivity and openness.

“Most of the arenas cut their cost in half because the mayor’s of the cities intervened saying that the country was in a spiritual crisis and needed to hear Nick’s message of hope,” Randy said.

For more information on how you can be a part of ministry in Slovenia, contact Randy.

Slovenia is, typically, a place that is hardened to the gospel. One missionary couple recently moved to a town that has seen no evangelical work in 400 years — since the Reformation! “Prayer and the faithfulness to stick it out even when we could see no results were the pivotal issues of change,” explained Randy.

Sticking it out was never harder than after the JESUS film was shown in Maribor. About 2,500 people saw the film but only two were interested in follow-up. However, those two individuals have been the foundation of the phenomenal growth of the past year. In just six months, they have seen their church in Maribor grow from eight to 22! And there is a second Bible study that has begun in the same town. In the nearby city of Moravske Toplice, the house church has grown to 30!

What strategies have been implemented to bring about such growth? Prayerwalking has been the No. 1 focus — for three years, every volunteer team participated in praying over the city. Sports and English classes also have been used as venues to build relationships and share Christ. “But much of the growth is each group reaching their own people,” said Randy. “They tell their friends and family, and it just keeps growing.”

As the work grows, so does the need for volunteers. Opportunities are wide open for prayerwalkers, discipleship teams to help train lay leaders, sports teams, and volunteers to teach conversational English.

Those who come to help should be prepared for great things. “We’re seeing an openness now, after five years, that we never saw at first,” said Randy. “It’s really strange.” Strange and wonderful. Learn how you can come join the fun!

This article first appeared in the Central and Eastern Europe regional newsletter, Hope4CEE. If you would like to receive this newsletter by mail, please send your name, mailing address, and home church to hope4cee@pobox.com.