Albania Trip Recap

I had the privilege of attending a four-day pastors retreat with our Global Partners, Toni and Ida Llapushi, who lead Impact Church Ministries in Albania. The retreat brought together pastors, church planters, missionaries, leaders, and their families for a meaningful time of encouragement, worship, and fellowship.

The trip began in Tirana, where I had the opportunity to share at the church on Sunday. I preached from Joshua 24, where Joshua gives his final charge to the people of Israel and calls them to make a clear decision about whom they will serve. His words still carry weight for us today:

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

It was a reminder that following the Lord is not passive. It requires surrender, conviction, and a renewed commitment to serve Him faithfully in every season. Leilani also had the opportunity to minister through a worship song that morning, which was a beautiful moment for the church.

After the service, we began a four-hour journey to the retreat location, where we spent the next four days with pastors and leaders from Albania, Kosovo, Turkey, and Italy, along with their spouses and children. The theme for the week was “Strength for the Journey,” and that truly captured what God did among us.

Throughout the retreat, pastors and leaders were refreshed, encouraged, challenged, and reminded that they are not alone in the work God has called them to do. It was a meaningful time of worship, teaching, prayer, rest, and fellowship.

One of the great gifts of the week was the opportunity to spend intentional one-on-one time with several pastors. These conversations gave us a deeper glimpse into what God is doing across the region, as well as the real challenges these leaders face as they shepherd their churches and reach their communities.

One pastor from Turkey shared a testimony. Before entering pastoral ministry, he was literally a shepherd caring for sheep. He described how God called him from shepherding sheep to shepherding His people. It was such a beautiful picture of God’s calling and grace, how He forms people, calls them, and uses their lives to preach His Word and care for His flock.

Another encouraging conversation was with Saul, a pastor originally from Mexico. He and his family lived in Albania for three years and are now planting a church in Palermo, Italy. They are now part of our Global Partners’ church plants. Saul shared honestly about how difficult evangelism can be in Italy. Many people are reserved and not very open to spiritual conversations. In Palermo, many have some cultural memory of Christianity through parents or grandparents, but for them, faith often feels like something from the past rather than something personal and present.

Even so, God is at work.

Saul shared that they have been faithfully trying to build relationships with people, and recently God opened a door with a family who normally would not invite people into their home. This family invited Saul and his family over for a meal, which was a significant step in that cultural context. It was a reminder that even when the work is slow, God is still opening doors, softening hearts, and creating opportunities for the Gospel.

One of the most moving moments of the trip happened through the children.

The retreat took place in a region that is predominantly Muslim, and the hotel owners came from a Muslim background. They had a young daughter, about 10 years old. During the week, the son and niece of our Global Partners connected with this little girl. Over the next few days, they became friends. They played, ate ice cream, and spent time together throughout the retreat.

Then, while the adults were in one of the sessions, the kids were sitting together and somehow the conversation turned to Jesus. Our Global Partners' son and niece began sharing with this young girl about who Jesus is, how He died for us, how He rose again, and how much He loves her.

She decided to give her life to Jesus.

They prayed with her, and all of this happened while the pastors and leaders were gathered in their session. It was such a powerful reminder that God moves how He wants to move, and He uses whom He wants to use. Even children can be bold witnesses of the Gospel. God is at work around the world, in the formal sessions and in the quiet conversations, among pastors and among children, in churches and even in hotel settings.

Worship was another beautiful part of the week. Leilani and two other young adults led worship throughout the retreat in the mornings and evenings. One song that deeply resonated was “Agnus Dei,” Holy, Holy - Santo, Santo - I Shenjtë, I Shenjtë sung in different languages, including Albanian.

Hearing everyone worship together in multiple languages gave us a small glimpse of heaven, where every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship before the throne of God.

We also had meaningful time with our Global Partners, Toni and Ida, who are now leading five churches and planting three more across Albania, Turkey, and Italy. It is humbling to see the faith, perseverance, and vision God has placed in them for the region.

I also had the opportunity to spend time with our short-term partner, Eric Guthridge, who serves with YWAM Albania and is part of the main leadership there. Eric took me to visit their small base, and we were able to walk through the streets of Albania, including the hills and neighborhoods where his ministry is actively reaching young adults.

One of the most strategic parts of their ministry is a space located right across from the university, which they call “The Space.” The name is intentional. It is designed to be a welcoming place where young Albanian adults can connect, build relationships, and be introduced to the hope of Jesus. It was encouraging to see the thoughtfulness and heart behind this outreach. God is using Eric and the YWAM Albania team in meaningful ways to serve and reach the next generation.

Please continue to pray for Albania and the surrounding regions of Europe. Pray for Toni & Ida and their church planters, for Saul and his family in Italy, for the pastors serving in difficult places, and for Eric and the YWAM Albania team as they continue reaching young adults with the Gospel. Pray that God would open doors, strengthen His church, and save and transform lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for praying for this trip. Your prayers mattered. Pastors were refreshed, leaders were encouraged, relationships were strengthened, and the Gospel was shared in ways we could not have planned.

Grateful for all God is doing!

Blessings,

Pastor William