May 16, 2018 From the Police Post to Church

Where we were doing evangelism in Bosnia a couple of weeks ago, the Muslim faith is a common religion. Much of the population hold their religious views based on what they grew up with, as many people do–families pass religion from generation to generation.

Elvira was one of those people who was Muslim by tradition.

When I met this 38-year-old mother of three, I discovered that she is an active police officer on duty in Sarajevo. She shared some of her story with me and I want to pass it on to you.

Growing up in the Muslim faith, it is very difficult to change or be open to hearing about the beliefs of other religions. Elvira told me that she remembered, when she was young, whenever a Jehovah’s Witness missionary would come knocking at their home in Croatia, her father would tear up the Bible that was given to them.

Because of her father’s intense reaction to these people, Elvira’s curiosity towards Christianity was aroused. She became open to learning about Christian faith and, slowly, she warmed to the Jehovah’s Witness faith.

However, as she learned more, there were some points of Jehovah’s Witness doctrine she couldn’t agree with or accept.

Eventually, her job as a police officer transferred her to Sarajevo. For several months, she was assigned to guard at a small police post at the Italian embassy. It just so happened that this post was next to the Sarajevo Seventh-day Adventist church.

The police post was so small that there was no restroom available. Elvira was told that if she needed to use the restroom, to go next door and use the one at the church. But her colleagues also warned her about some odd beliefs associated with the church.

Elvira and her coworkers found the diet of their Adventist neighbors very strange along with the fact that they worshipped on and kept Saturday as the Sabbath.

When she was given the keys to the restroom of the church, Elvira could freely use it at her convenience. She visited the church numerous times during her work shifts. Every time she passed through the church compound, Elvira was curious and picked up different literature booklets to read about the Adventist faith.

After a few months, she was transferred away from her post to another location. But her curiosity about Christianity kept drawing her back to that Adventist church. She began attending the church service regularly.

She didn’t feel pressure to convert her faith because the pastor of the church, Pastor Bozidar, encouraged her to pray, read and grow at her own pace. Because she was welcomed but not made to feel uncomfortable, Elvira remained open to what she was learning.

In 2009, Elvira made the decision to be baptized and now she is a member of the Sarajevo Adventist church.

Bosnia, like many Muslim majority countries, takes patience in evangelism. Like Elvira, there are many people who have interest in Christianity, but are reluctant to accept it. It can take many years for someone to warm up to the gospel!

That’s why our mission team was so excited to work closely with the local church in Bosnia and meet church members like Elvira who understand how to reach people patiently and with love.

I know that the new believers we met in Bosnia are in good hands with the fellowship of church members like Elvira!

May Forshee
Bosnia Team Leader