God at Work
 
In the beginning, we longed for nothing.  Our hearts were consumed by the light of God, and all that we needed was fulfilled in Him.  God so loved us that He created worldly gifts for us to enjoy, but none held our heart.  That belonged to God.  That is, until our great fall.  The divine light that once saturated our entire being grew dim, and the cold numbing of materialism rushed in to take its place. 
 
The seeds of materialism planted thousands of years ago have created a forest so deep and dark that it is often difficult to spot the light piercing through.  Europe is a great example of this.  Nearly 50 countries, 750 million people, and the deeply embedded roots of materialism seem to proliferate with each new generation.   
 
Momentum Europe is working to change this, and claim this generation for Christ!  Their ministry connects Christ-centered business and professional European leaders to project Christ's light from the coastal shores of Ireland, to the furthest corners of Russia.  
Our Barnabas Group partners are passionate about the work that Momentum Europe is doing, with several partners traveling to Europe in support of their mission.  Recently, Tim and Celeste Bailey traveled to an event in Budapest, and Scott Sorrell traveled to Albania.  We circled back with Scott, who shared the following:
 
"First off, Albania was intense!  I did a couple of days of preparation and orientation with the Sotmëria team, then launched into a whirlwind of ministry.  I told the team to use me to the fullest because I wanted every minute to count.  It had been 32 years since I had ministered in Eastern Europe, and I wanted to make up for lost time.   
 
Ilir Avni and the team took me at my word, filling my schedule with 4 - 6 presentations, trainings, consulting sessions, and other professional meetings each day.  I spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce, at a real estate industry conference, the largest beer brewery in the country, the most successful commercial residential real estate development company, two universities, and many more.  I became friends with a number of Albania's top business and political leaders.  It was a privilege to begin relationships with these significant influencers, and I hope to continue to touch their lives.  As you know, if you reach the leaders, you reach the country.

The best thing about my trip was being able to share my faith in Christ with almost every business audience, and even in small groups and professional consulting sessions.  My goal for the entire trip was to honor God by continuing the work of evangelism I began three decades ago right next door in the former Yugoslavia.  
 
Just after I returned home, I received the best news possible!  During a large seminar, I chose a woman named Jona from the middle of an audience of 350 people.  I kept saying her name during my presentation to demonstrate the power of using a person's name to connect with their hearts.  She liked that a lot, and then attended a small group follow-up meeting.  I found out that Jona, who comes from a Muslim background, was led to faith in Christ through her experience!"
 
To learn more about Momentum Europe , please visit www.momentumeurope.org.