The country of Georgia is home to some
four million people.
Out of these millions,
Pastor Grigol is one of only two Georgian
Seventh-day Adventist pastors.
We don’t have many workers,
and because of that
we have a lot of functions as pastors.
It’s a big challenge because
we don’t have enough resources.
Pastor Grigol lives in
the port city of Batumi,
Georgia’s second largest city.
The mission challenges grow by the day
as new apartments, casinos, and other developments
are constructed around his church.
Many people don’t trust
when you talk to them about God.
I would say this is one of the challenges.
Although historically,
Georgia was the second nation
to officially adopt Christianity,
Adventism has struggled to gain ground here.
The Adventist Church is very small in Georgia.
There are approximately 300 people,
they are scattered all over Georgia.
In Batumi we have a church
approximately consisting of 40 members.
Despite their small numbers,
church members in Batumi
have a heart for mission.
So they have found practical ways
to follow Christ’s method of ministry.
When we become friends with people,
like we try to organize different social projects
and humanitarian projects
for people who are in need,
and when they get closer to us
and start to communicate with us,
then we have more trust from them.
Recently, the greatest need comes
from the influx of Ukrainian refugees.
Adventists in Batumi
welcome refugees to their church
for a variety of classes and programs.
Today, they are conducting English classes.
The classes are a great way for the Ukrainians
to come together to learn and socialize.
These gatherings have allowed them to develop
a community away from their homes in Ukraine.
It allows them to feel supported and cared for.
The church also offers classes
to learn the Georgian language.
Learning Georgian helps them find
job opportunities more easily
so that they can integrate
and feel more at home.
Through these projects
we become friends with them
and sometimes they ask
questions about our church,
about our beliefs and we can share.
Finally, we believe that these projects they will have influence
and maybe some of them will even start to attend our church.
Pastor Grigol and church members in Batumi
have been praying for funds to build
an urban center of influence
that would provide space for them
to offer more programs to their community.
Currently, the church is too small.
Sometimes we have a challenge
because we don’t have
rooms or space to conduct
different kinds of events and meetings.
For example, with this English class
we have to use our hall
where we have services.
This is our biggest need, I would say.
This quarter, a portion of your 13th Sabbath Offering
will help construct
an urban center of influence in Batumi, Georgia.
This will vastly improve
outreach efforts here.
This is a big honor and a big joy that
there are many people who care
and are interested in supporting
the mission in our country.
Please pray as church members in Batumi
continue to meet the needs of their neighbors.
Thank you for supporting
13th Sabbath Offering projects like this!