Brankovac Evangelical Church - Mostar
This is our opportunity to introduce ourselves. Although people often ask us what the differences are between us and other faith groups that is not actually the way in which we like to express who we are. So we will start with our values. They are behind all our efforts, they are the foundations, the reasons why we do, or don't do, certain things, and the indicators as to whether we are still on the path we have chosen, and where we have got to.
We value intimacy with God. This intimacy, closeness can be expressed in various ways – some will read and pray in private, fast or listen to quiet songs, others will delight in God's creation from the top of a mountain, still others will dance for the joy which they have in their fellowship with God.
We value every human being because they are created by God. One of the reasons why we try to help everyone who is in need, as far as we are able, is that God created all of us and so gave us dignity. Mankind is the crown of God's creation; God has a plan to lead people's lives to good, and wants to have fellowship with people. So everyone who values and cares for those around them is certainly serving God.
We value developing our identity in Christ. When we decided to follow Christ we decided to change, to become more and more like our example - Jesus. This implies that our identity will
develop from one day to the next. For our faith to progress and for us to see its fruits in our lives we need to be seeking ways to be closer to Jesus and more like Him each day. This means studying God’s Word, serving, giving, sharing and in various ways letting God change us according to His will.
Part of our identity is that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. So we
strive for our relationships to be in line with God's standard and to
spend enough quality time together.
We value the role of each individual in the church. This means that our goal is that all will serve, that everyone is heard and valued. Children, young people, adults and the elderly, the healthy and the sick, the skilful and those less capable - everyone has their role, which needs to be recognised and encouraged. God calls us with a reason, and we need to recognise what we are called to and to serve in line with that; for the sake of God, ourselves and those around us.
We value the Great Commission, Jesus’ command that we go to all places and preach the Good News of salvation to all peoples, inviting others to become Jesus’ disciples. God can be proclaimed in many ways, not all of them are spoken, and going to all places does not mean that we start at the end of the world, but in our own locality.
Our churches in BiH bear the title “Evangelical Church” - there are similar fellowships across BiH and throughout the world, which may have different names, but very similar practices. We as a church in Brankovac (Mostar) are a group of people from various places in BiH and the world, and so we are of different nationalities and skin colours. The bible is our everyday inspiration and guide. Our core beliefs are the same as those of Christians throughout the world. We pray only to God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), we celebrate Jesus’ birth and resurrection (Christmas and Easter), our services include prayer and thanksgiving, singing with instrumental accompaniment, preaching from the bible, and celebrating the Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper - thanksgiving for and remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and salvation).
We have experienced the love of God; this love has started to change us; we are trying to learn to love as God loves us, so that this life would have meaning and that we would reach our goal – one day being in God’s presence for all eternity. We want to follow Jesus, know Him and make Him known - Jesus in whom God revealed Himself to us, coming in a body and sacrificing Himself for us and our salvation. Our life in God is a spiritual battle which implies that there will be suffering and difficulties, but the battle is never against “flesh and blood” (i.e. other people) but against sin and the spiritual forces behind it. We believe that life with God can be an exciting fellowship, a blessing to those who decide to follow God’s purposes for their life. Church is a fellowship of those who have responded to God’s call to them, and as such is an important link in the chain of life for every believer.