Thirty-two guests and representatives of European CELC churches gathered for a regional conference in Durres, Albania, from 20-22 May 2022. Participants grateful for post-pandemic fellowship assembled under the theme: “Triumph Together in Christ.”
Professor Mark Paustian (WELS) led gospel proclaimers to appropriate renewed spiritual strength from Romans 7-8 and Exodus 3-4. Churches presented reports highlighting blessings and challenges from their fields and invited the conference to give thanks and pray for specific blessings. The conference concluded with a festival worship service and sermon based on Acts 1:1-8: “You Will Receive Power!”
Participants found time for informal fellowship at the nearby beach, during a walking tour of downtown Durres, and on an excursion to Kruja, with its market, cafes, restored fortress, and historic museum.
Immediately after the conference, a dozen guests remained in Durres for a two-day workshop on 1 Thessalonians. Participants discussed the letter’s original impact for believers enduring persecution and considered contemporary blessings as we serve souls and await Christ’s return. (By the way, the Via Egnatia, the ancient road on which St. Paul walked during his Second Missionary Journey, ran through Thessalonica and ended in ancient Durres just a couple kilometers south of our conference site.)
We give thanks to God for crowning our conference with his blessing, as we pray for ever-increasing fellowship of faith, love, and purpose.
Submitted by Luke Wolfgramm
Prof. Mark Paustian leading a session
