Presov, Slovakia
In 1995, Renewal Ministries introduced the first FIRE rally to Slovakia. Since then, the event has continued annually in the city of Presov under the direction of the Maranatha Community, a Catholic charismatic group that has been instrumental in bringing a renewal of the faith to this formerly Communist part of the world. From when we began mission work in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, we intended to spearhead evangelization events throughout the two countries. The Lord has been faithful to lead us to most major cities, as well as rural areas and remote villages. There have been rallies, parish missions, retreats, and evangelization and discipleship training seminars for priests, religious sisters, and schools at every level.

This 2025 mission effort was launched once again in the city of Presov, Slovakia, with a FIRE rally in the M-Arena, a new facility built by the community. Peter Herbeck and Pete Burak flew in for this to share their amazing gifts as speakers. We saw many new faces as people came in, each hungry for a move of God. The atmosphere seemed electric as the Holy Spirit did what only He can do.

Prague, Czech Republic
Immediately after the FIRE Rally in Eastern Slovakia, we set out on the eight-hour journey to Prague where we connected with Sr. Marie-Anna Linhartova, an Ursuline sister serving in Prague. Through Sr. Marie-Anna’s efforts, our team was invited to speak to the classes at one of their Catholic schools about salvation and the prolife message. Like many Catholic schools, the student body is a mix of those coming from believing and unbelieving families. In the early twentieth century, over 90 percent of Czechs identified as Christian, with Catholicism being dominant.

However, after several decades of Communist rule, 90 percent of Czechs identify as atheist, agnostic, or nonreligious. Thanks to the diligent work of the Ursuline sisters, these students can hear and experience the faith.

Bratislava
Over the years, we have visited the Slovak capital city of Bratislava many times. The events scheduled in Bratislava this year included a parish evening of renewal, a time of teaching and fellowship with the leaders of the community, and a pro-life teaching for about a hundred electrical engineering students at a trade school. Traveling forth from Bratislava, our team made the long drive back to Eastern Slovakia and the city of Presov. This would serve as our base of operations for the remaining outreaches into smaller towns in Slovakia. The f irst was an hour-long journey to the town of Lubica, a historic town with a population of 4,600. While we were there, Tom gave a talk to the community about activating the spiritual gifts. A local family music group led us in a great session of prayer and worship, and then we moved into a time of individual prayer ministry.

Outreach to Snina
With a population of about 18,000, the town of Snina is in the far northeastern part of Slovakia, just twelve miles from the Ukrainian border. Our meeting there at the Church of the Exalted Cross was refreshing. We were invited to speak and pray with a group of about forty people who were just concluding an Alpha course. For most, this was the first time they had experienced being challenged to radical discipleship. Their zeal and their desire for ongoing commitment were tangible. They responded eagerly to the message presented and the whole of the group lingered late into the evening for personal prayer, responding wholeheartedly to a call to walk in a missionary mindset.

Back in Presov
Our final evening in Presov came at the end of a very full itinerary that had us traveling by land nearly four thousand kilometers throughout Slovakia and the Czech Republic. At this point, we were strong in Spirit but growing physically exhausted. Tom responded to a last-minute invitation to share with a new discipleship group on the topic of methodical Bible study. Although it was a very abbreviated talk, the participants were thankful for the sketch, and it seemed to spark a desire to delve deeper into the riches of the inexhaustible Word of God.

Testimony
Our team member, Carol Ann Fox, shared the following summation of the mission.

Although it’s very difficult to encapsulate the entire mission experience in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, my fondest memories are from the opportunities we had to pray with people and to see their faith and hope, their expectation and trust. I saw the Lord’s grace work in their honesty, their poverty, and their openness, which allowed them to receive the gift of tears and of peace. The inspirational teachings were so eagerly received at the FIRE Rally. Their joy was evident and contagious. I feel so blessed to have been there and will forever treasure the gifts I received by saying ‘yes’ to the invitation.