by Hanka Rodgers
From the very beginning of LBC’s existence, the church leaders were intentional and serious about missions. Despite being a very young church, LBC started sending teams to the Czech Republic in the summer of 2000 to organize English Camps and share the gospel while teaching English. I don’t think anybody had imagined the kind of relationship that the LBC church (and later churches) would develop with the Mellwig family and other church members in the Czech Republic. Friendships were made, lives were changed, and most importantly, the gospel was preached.
When I look at my own journey with God, I am in awe of His sovereignty, wisdom, and power. In the summer of 2000, I was invited to the first English Camp that LBC had organized with the church in Ostrava, my hometown. I turned down the invitation and was genuinely shocked that the friends who had invited me would have ever thought that I would go to a camp run by Christians. There were very few people I thought less of than Christians. The following year – after many “coincidences” and still as a skeptical unbeliever – I attended the second English Camp that LBC provided a team for. Fast forward a few years, and now I am married to a theology nerd, working at a Christian school, and loving my ministries at LBCSD. One of the students in my class is the oldest child of a couple who were part of the missions team in 2001 when I first heard the gospel and started thinking about God more seriously. They weren’t even dating then. If I had told them they would get married one day, they probably wouldn’t have believed me (there was a rumor that one of them wasn’t a big fan of the other one). But if I had told them that I would teach their son one day, they wouldn’t have believed me for sure. Thankfully, it’s God who directs our paths, not us.
Czech missions was a big part of the life of the church for many years, but in God’s sovereignty, circumstances have changed and LBCSD isn’t sending a team to the Czech Republic to organize English Camps anymore. However, it is difficult to get completely disconnected from a ministry that was supported by the church for such a long time. I still remember hearing about the way the missions trip was organized and asking, “What do you mean you have a group of people back at your church who do everything from keeping track of your finances to packing your ridiculously huge snacks? And what do you mean that you are able to raise several thousand dollars for each person to come here because the church members just give you money and trust that you will use them well? Are you really writing hundreds of postcards because there are so many people who support you financially and in prayer?” Czech missions has never been a missions team effort. It was always a church effort.
Even though the church is not sending a Czech team this year, we do have an opportunity to continue the relationship between LBC and the Czech Republic. When it comes to Christianity, not much has changed since 2000. There are still many people who are lost and in need of the gospel. In addition, there are many Christians who have heard and believed the gospel but lack the resources and the support of the church body to grow. Many Czech churches are very small, and it is not uncommon that there is only one or a couple of people in a particular affinity group – something our LBCSD huge Salt and Light, College, and Gracelife groups might have a difficult time understanding. There have been several people (and especially girls) who showed interest in following God but didn’t persevere because commuting to church was too complicated, the church was too far, or it was much easier to get plugged in somewhere else than in a church with barely any people of their age. I know God is sovereign and always in control, but I still pray for wisdom to help those who are seeking God in more challenging circumstances.
One of the ways in which people can grow and learn about God’s character, whether within the context of a local church or even when lacking church support, is reading books. Thankfully, there have been several efforts in the Czech Republic to write and translate solid Christian books that would help Christians grow in their walk with God as well as share the gospel with others. LBCSD is going to partner with Didasko, an organization that translates, publishes, distributes, and sells good Christian books. I myself purchase books from them quite regularly to give out as gifts to my friends. I believe that Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes will be a great addition to the solid book collection as I am not aware of too many Czech books specifically for women. Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes has already been translated and has been quite popular, so we are praying that the version for women will bear fruit as well.
I don’t know what God’s future plans are and if I have learned anything from His plans for my life so far, it is that I should never assume that my ideas are the best. However, I am praying that if it’s God’s will, He continues to use LBCSD to serve the Czech people. I know that God can use this book as I give it to my friends as gifts, but I am praying for more. I am praying that God uses this book to renew some of the relationships that were built at English Camps. I am praying that maybe some LBCSD ladies are able to reconnect with some Czech girls and read the book together. I am praying that maybe an LBCSD lady who has never been to the Czech Republic is connected with a Czech lady who is not able to attend church regularly and needs encouragement. Most of all, I am praying that God is glorified as His children serve and encourage one another.
If you would like to support this effort, please pray. Pray for wisdom and perseverance for the Didasko staff; for wisdom for the translator who will be translating the book; for God’s timing of the translation and printing of the book (it would be wonderful if it was available this summer); and for the people who will be reading it – that they are encouraged to grow in their love for God and His Word. It is such a privilege to serve a God who hears our prayers and has the power to change hearts.
If you would like to support the translation financially, please Venmo LBCSD or make checks payable to LBCSD and write “Czech Translation Project” on the memo line. If you would like to receive prayer requests or have any questions, please email Hanka Rodgers. If you would like to learn more about missions at LBC, see the links below.
It is a true joy to serve our Lord alongside other LBCSD members and to see their hearts for missions. May God be glorified in all our efforts to make His name known here in America as well as abroad.
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