wfn.org | Christians Provide Frontline Help in Macedonia

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

July 8, 2001
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Christians Provide Frontline Help in Macedonia -
European Evangelical Alliance appeals for prayers

London, United Kingdom. (EEA/APD)    As the Former 
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) teeters on the 
brink of civil war, the European Evangelical Alliance (
EEA) has welcomed reports that local Christians are 
leading initiatives to help innocent victims caught 
up in the hostilities.

But EEA general secretary, Gordon Showell-Rogers, 
believes that if the situation deteriorates further 
it could jeopardise the security of the whole region.

Mr Gordon Showell-Rogers, said: "Ordinary people in 
the Balkans, including those from the tiny 
evangelical community, once more find themselves on 
the frontline of a war.  Genuine reconciliation needs 
to take place and we should be praying that the power 
of Christ will be manifested in those seeking to 
bring about peace."

The EEA has received reports from churches inside 
FYROM which describe how "a humanitarian catastrophe" 
is unfolding in the northern town of Kumanovo where 
its water supply has been cut off by rebel forces.

In response to the desperate need of the town's 
100,000 inhabitants, church groups are now setting up 
distribution centres where people will be able to 
obtain donated bottled water. Water will also be 
supplied to hospitals and local factories.

Amidst the hostilities churches are still welcoming 
new believers into the body of Christ. The Christian 
Pentecostal Church in the capital, Skopje, recently 
baptised 15 people in a local river.

Mr Showell-Rogers is now calling on Christians to 
pray for the country's beleaguered president, Boris 
Trajkovski, and other political leaders both within 
the country and across the wider European community 
as efforts to broker a peace deal continue.

"Please continue to pray for the Balkans as the 
instabilities continue," he urged. "Although the 
churches are small, they can make a real difference 
as they walk with the Living God and stand together. 
Please pray for them, and for the politicians and 
other decision makers."

He added that the handing over of former Yugoslavian 
president, Slobodan Milosevic, to the United Nations 
War Crimes Tribunal should send out a strong signal 
to those engaged in a military campaign in FYROM that 
the international community is keeping a close eye on 
the Balkans.

"I welcome this move and hope this will mean an end 
to a series of very painful chapters in the region,'' 
said Mr Showell-Rogers.

The EEA has strong links in the Balkans and has been 
working towards establishing an Evangelical Alliance 
in FYROM. (Editor Lorna Madden for EAUK)