Anora used to think serving in church was one-sided; you’re blessing the church with your service. This Central Asian believer discovered the blessing goes both ways.
Serving in the church has been a hallmark of International Mission Board missionary Diane In’s time on the mission field. Both women find joy serving side-by-side with one another at their church in Prague, Czech Republic.
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Diane and Anora either arrive early or stay late, setting up and cleaning up the coffee table, preparing food, volunteering with clean up, serving during holidays like Easter and Christmas and acting as moderators during special events at their church’s community center in downtown Prague.
Diane said she identified with Anora because they are both “Martha” by nature.
“Both of us relate in that way where we feel very strongly that God created us with the character of a Martha, where we see all these things not getting done, but then wanting to have the heart of Mary to sit at Jesus’ feet and worship, and having that balance,” Diane said.
Diane and Anora often pray and encourage one another when there are many tasks to complete. They seek to have a balance of both serving and sitting at Jesus’ feet.
Diane and her husband, Luke, served for many years across Asia before moving to Prague. In each place they’ve served, they’ve invested in their local church and encouraged others to do so. Diane discerned Anora’s heart for service and how the Lord gifted her in inspiring others to do the same and recommended her for a leadership role in the church.
Church beyond the service
While initially serving in the church seemed to be a duty and way a Christian should give back, Anora discovered it was much more.
As Anora served in the church, she felt bonded to its members. This relational connection made all the difference during a difficult time.
Anora moved to Prague first for school and then for work. As she started to invest, she learned that church happens not just during the service; it happens before and after. A tech team arrives at 7:30 a.m. to set up the sound. The worship team comes at 8 a.m. A team comes to provide breakfast for volunteers, and another sets up the coffee table. Another set of people stay to clean up.
Also built into the Sunday schedule is a time to chat after the service. Volunteers sign up to be available to meet with anyone who needs prayer. This part of the service blessed Anora tremendously during seasons when she struggled. She could always find someone to help her heal.
Anora began to understand what it means to have a family of faith. She has a mother and father figure in the church and brothers and sisters in Christ. When her spiritual brothers and sisters have children, she sees them as nieces and nephews. She found contentment in her life in Prague.
In her current role, Anora encourages other members to serve and pairs them with roles matching their gifts.
One young couple from India began attending the church. They kept their distance and initially didn’t show an inclination to become more involved. With encouragement from Anora, they began volunteering in Sunday School and later assumed leadership roles.
They told Anora that serving in the church was a healing process for them. They were going through a difficult season, and their service in the church became a light in a dark time.
Finding the relational God
Anora was Muslim before committing her life to Christ. As a teenager, she wanted to learn more about God and what He is like, but doing so in a predominantly Muslim country wasn’t easy. In that environment, the answers she received led her to believe God was like a policeman. He comes and checks in on you, asking, “Did you pray today, did you fast?”
Anora found herself asking, “Where is the relationship?”
“If there is a God, He has to be relational,” Anora concluded.
Her curiosity led her to a closer relationship with missionaries who came to invest their lives in her community. They lived out their faith authentically.
“I found the relational God,” Anora said.
Diane and Luke will retire from the IMB this year. Their era overseas is ending, and others are needed to step into the space they leave. Is the Lord leading you to serve His Church overseas?
To learn more, visit imb.org.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Tessa Sanchez and originally published by the International Mission Board.
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