Jonathan Vukov never planned on going into ministry. Though he grew up believing in God, he had no intention of following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both pastors. Like many young Croatian men, Jonathan dreamed of moving abroad to work and make money.

Meanwhile, Danijela came to faith as a teenager, a decision that cost her the support of family and friends. Still, she prayed faithfully that God would one day give her a husband who shared her passion for Jesus and for ministry.

As Jonathan prepared to leave Croatia for Germany, a member of his father’s church suggested he consider seminary. At first, he dismissed the idea—but as he prayed, he realised the peace he felt about moving to Germany was gone. Instead, he found peace when he prayed about theological study. He stayed. Seminary eventually led him into pastoral ministry, and there he met Danijela. They married and, following God’s call, moved to the town of Novi Marof to plant a church with a vision: to see a vibrant, biblically grounded, caring community where people truly know Christ and make Him known.

But the road was not easy. For decades, in the 51 miles between Zagreb and Varaždin, there had been no evangelical church. In a culture where many identify as “Christian” only by tradition, the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus felt strange—even unnecessary. Jonathan and Danijela felt the weight of loneliness. Yet, they persevered, building friendships, serving their neighbours, and trusting God to bring fruit.

And He has. Today, a growing fellowship meets in Novi Marof—a witness where there was none before. From Sunday gatherings to youth camps, from street outreach to mentoring teens leaving the foster system, the gospel is touching lives and changing futures.

The Vukovs’ story is just one glimpse of what God is doing across Europe through national church planters. Only 2.5% of Europeans identify as evangelical followers of Jesus—less than one-tenth the rate in the United States. In towns and cities across the continent, there are countless “Novi Marofs”: places with no living witness of Christ.

That is why ECM exists: to equip, connect, and multiply disciples of Jesus through church planting. Jonathan and Danijela remind us that when ordinary believers respond to God’s call, communities can be transformed.

Your partnership in prayer and giving makes this possible. As the Vukovs search for a permanent meeting place and face resistance from local authorities, would you stand with them? Pray for open doors, perseverance, and joy. Pray that many more Croatians would come to know the hope of Jesus.

This is the relevance and urgency of church planting in Europe: where there was once loneliness and silence, a living church now stands as a beacon of hope.

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