Anything But a Crutch

SLOVAKIA — On the busy streets of Bratislava, no one found it odd to see an advertisement for a class on the biblical principles of marriage. Slovakia is, after all, a religious society. Talking about God is normal, but living in relationship with God — that’s a different story.  Many see Christianity as a crutch for the weak, something the self-reliant people have no need of.

From this background came Hannah and Andrew to the class on marriage offered by Crossworld worker Tracy. Like many Slovak couples, Hannah and Andrew weren’t married but lived together and believed they were committed to the relationship. After the five-week class ended, Hannah and Andrew still seemed interested in learning more, so Tracy invited them to study the Bible together.

For several weeks, the three of them met to study Mark and Romans, and they continually discussed the gospel and what it means to follow Christ. Hannah finally told Tracy that she and Andrew understood it, but they weren’t ready to accept it.

Several months later, Tracy called to check on Hannah. She broke down and wept over the phone as she told him Andrew had left her and she didn’t know where to turn. Tracy and his wife, Brenda, did their best to comfort her and as they shared Scripture, her walls came down. Hannah started attending a small group and shortly afterward accepted Christ.  She told Tracy, “Jesus did everything for me when he died and I want to receive the gift of salvation.”

The Slovak people often think those who are strong have no need for God, and Hannah might have said the same thing. But as Tracy recalled, she learned that “she wasn’t as self-sufficient as she thought. It was a crisis situation that helped her see her need.”

In the months since Hannah trusted Christ, she has become the most faithful member of the local church, attending each Sunday service, mid-week Bible study and monthly women’s group.  She still struggles with openly talking about her faith, but with her recent decision to be publicly baptized, she is steadily becoming bolder in her witness.

Italicized names were changed to protect identity.