In the Northeastern part of Slovakia lies the small town of Lipany. If youwere to travel through the heart of the city or remain on the main roads you would think it was just another quaint Slovak town. But on the outskirts of this cute little city is another community of people considered by many Europeans to be a nuisance...the Roma. This Roma village of 800 has the reputation for being one of the most violent and wild villages in the region. Fights and other violent actions are a common part of life there. The mayor of Lipany, having serious concern about the increased violence and the problems it was bringing to the rest of his city, was desperate for a remedy.

In the Northeastern part of Slovakia lies the small town of Lipany.  If you were to travel through the heart of the city or remain on the main roads you would think it was just another quaint Slovak town.  But on the outskirts of this cute little city is another community of people considered by many Europeans to be a nuisance...the Roma.  This Roma village of 800 has the reputation for being one of the most violent and wild villages in the region. Fights and other violent actions are a common part of life there. The mayor of Lipany, having serious concern about the increased violence and the problems it was bringing to the rest of his city, was desperate for a remedy. 

Having heard about the great things that had happened in the neighboring village of Sabinov where hundreds of Roma had found Jesus and turned not only their lives around, but had truly  changed their community, he decided to meet with his colleague who was the mayor of Sabinov. He asked him if he would introduce him to the pastor of the Roma church.  They set up a meeting and the mayor of Lipany wanted to know more about what had taken place in the lives of these people in Sabinov, so the pastor asked the mayor of Lipany to come and attend one of their Sunday services.  He was so touched by the presence of the Lord that he wept during the service.

After the service the Mayor asked the pastor, Marion, if he would come and bring a group of his people to his village to share about Jesus with the Roma people there.  A Roma lady who lives in the Roma village of Lipany had recently accepted Jesus when in another city.  She opened her home up to Pastor Marion and a group of believers from the church in Sabinov and there they began having services every Saturday evening at 4:00 pm.  People of all ages in the village have begun to attend and several have given their lives to Jesus.  One of the elders in the Sabinov church, felt a strong burden for the village and has now taken this ministry on his heart and leads the services there every Saturday.   The mayor is so touched by what is happening, he has found a building about a quarter of a mile from the village and has given it to the people to have a place to meet for church services.  God is doing remarkable things now in this village and we are believing God for the salvation of this entire community.   

Submitted by John Bean