A New Witness in Croatia

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:17:39 +0200

Across Europe, entire towns exist without a living church. Novi Marof, Croatia, was one of them—until Jonathan and Danijela Vukov followed God’s call. Their journey shows both the challenges and the hope of national church planting.

Jonathan Vukov never planned on going into ministry. Though he grew up believing in God, he had no intention of following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both pastors. Like many young Croatian men, Jonathan dreamed of moving abroad to work and make money.

Meanwhile, Danijela came to faith as a teenager, a decision that cost her the support of family and friends. Still, she prayed faithfully that God would one day give her a husband who shared her passion for Jesus and for ministry.

As Jonathan prepared to leave Croatia for Germany, a member of his father’s church suggested he consider seminary. At first, he dismissed the idea—but as he prayed, he realised the peace he felt about moving to Germany was gone. Instead, he found peace when he prayed about theological study. He stayed. Seminary eventually led him into pastoral ministry, and there he met Danijela. They married and, following God’s call, moved to the town of Novi Marof to plant a church with a vision: to see a vibrant, biblically grounded, caring community where people truly know Christ and make Him known.

But the road was not easy. For decades, in the 51 miles between Zagreb and Varaždin, there had been no evangelical church. In a culture where many identify as “Christian” only by tradition, the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus felt strange—even unnecessary. Jonathan and Danijela felt the weight of loneliness. Yet, they persevered, building friendships, serving their neighbours, and trusting God to bring fruit.

And He has. Today, a growing fellowship meets in Novi Marof—a witness where there was none before. From Sunday gatherings to youth camps, from street outreach to mentoring teens leaving the foster system, the gospel is touching lives and changing futures.

The Vukovs’ story is just one glimpse of what God is doing across Europe through national church planters. Only 2.5% of Europeans identify as evangelical followers of Jesus—less than one-tenth the rate in the United States. In towns and cities across the continent, there are countless “Novi Marofs”: places with no living witness of Christ.

That is why ECM exists: to equip, connect, and multiply disciples of Jesus through church planting. Jonathan and Danijela remind us that when ordinary believers respond to God’s call, communities can be transformed.

Your partnership in prayer and giving makes this possible. As the Vukovs search for a permanent meeting place and face resistance from local authorities, would you stand with them? Pray for open doors, perseverance, and joy. Pray that many more Croatians would come to know the hope of Jesus.

This is the relevance and urgency of church planting in Europe: where there was once loneliness and silence, a living church now stands as a beacon of hope.

A New Church in the Heart of Budapest

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:28:02 +0200

On the Buda side of the Danube, a new church is taking root in one of Europe’s most strategic centres—a place filled with university students, cultural influence, and tomorrow’s leaders.

On the Buda side of the Danube River, in the heart of Hungary’s capital city, a new church is taking root. This is more than just another Christian gathering—it is a vision to see lives transformed at one of Europe’s most strategic crossroads. Buda, home to a vibrant university community and Hungary’s future leaders, is also a hub of culture and influence across Europe. What happens here echoes far beyond its city limits.

At the centre of this work are Tamás and Virág Győri, faithful Hungarian believers who embody the strength of national leadership. With a heritage of faith stretching back ten generations, Tamás carries the legacy of pastors who persevered under the weight of Communist oppression. His ministry experience spans Bible publishing, large-scale Christian events, and decades of discipling others. Virág, with her editorial leadership and gifts in communication, brings warmth and relational depth that draws women, youth, and families into genuine community.

Together, they are leading this new faith community with a vision for multiplication—reaching students, discipling the next generation, and welcoming seekers into the hope of Christ. Already, fruitful ministries are emerging, with programmes that nurture women, inspire young people, and grow discipleship at every stage of life.

This work, though rooted in local leadership, is strengthened by strategic partnership. Training, financial support, and prayer from ECMI-USA are what make it possible for Tamás and Virág to dedicate themselves fully to this mission. It is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ—nations standing together for the sake of the Gospel in Europe.

The growth of this new church plant is already something to celebrate. In a city known as a cultural centre of Europe, God is raising up a community of hope. Tamás and Virág are faithfully leading, the Spirit is moving, and the future is bright for the church in Budapest.

News feed for: ECMI USA

A New Witness in Croatia

A New Church in the Heart of Budapest