Nehemia Center, Pogradec – July 2025

The long-awaited Barnabas Festival 2025 became a reality this summer, and what a wonderful week it was! After months of prayer and preparation, God blessed us with a gathering of 140 participants from Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and the Netherlands. Together, we lived out this year’s theme: “Be with Jesus, be like Jesus, do as He did.”

The days were filled with energy, learning, and fellowship. The workshops were once again a highlight—youth rotated through sessions on games, puppetry, design, drama, martial arts, and worship. Each workshop was not only fun but also a tool for growth, opening up new talents and giving participants fresh ways to share the Gospel with others.

Life at the Nehemia Center provided the perfect backdrop: good food, the beauty of Lake Ohrid, and plenty of time for conversation and laughter. But most importantly, the fellowship reminded everyone that we are part of one family in Christ.

A deeply moving highlight came when Stefan led the Lord’s Supper. Gathering around the table, the entire festival shared communion together—over a hundred voices and hearts united as one body. It was a moment that will be remembered as a glimpse of God’s kingdom family.

Another sign of God’s work was the large number of first-time participants. Their excitement and eagerness showed that the reputation of the Barnabas Festival is growing year after year. New faces brought fresh joy, while returning participants carried forward the legacy of faith and discipleship.

Barnabas Festival 2025 was more than an event—it was an encounter with Jesus, a time of equipping, and a celebration of community. We left Pogradec renewed, inspired, and ready to continue living as witnesses of Christ in our homes, churches, and communities.