FORGE mission team serve and grow in Kosovo
Janine Armstrong reports on an 'unforgettable mission trip' to Kosovo with six young adults as part of the FORGE programme.
As part of the diocese's FORGE programme, I had the privilege of leading a team of six young adults on an unforgettable mission trip to Kosovo from 4th -12th July. It was a week of stretching, growing, and serving in a completely new and challenging context.
The heart of our mission was to support an ongoing effort to bring the message of the Bible into every home in Kosovo - one doorstep at a time. While we didn’t engage in door-to-door work every day, we were able to take part at different points during the week, sharing scripture and building relationships wherever possible.
Each afternoon, we ran a kids’ club which was a highlight of our time there. This became the central focus of our ministry, and it was such a joy to see local children engage with games, crafts, memory verses, songs, and stories from God’s word. Through the club, we were able to connect meaningfully with families and build trust in the local community.
It was a real privilege to serve among the beautiful, warm, and welcoming people of Kosovo. Even when things felt challenging, we were consistently encouraged by the kindness and openness of those we met. I am very proud of the team's willingness to step out of their comfort zones; from teaching Bible stories and leading activities to learning songs and memory verses in Albanian. They embraced every opportunity with hard work and humility.
Outside of the structured ministry, we had the opportunity to experience Kosovar culture - sampling traditional food, learning about the country’s history, and witnessing daily life in a context very different from our own.
As we reflect on all that we experienced, I’m so proud of how the team grew in confidence and developed their ministry skills. The lessons they’ve learned about how Christians live in other parts of the world will continue to shape their walk with God long after the trip.
Janine Armstrong, FORGE Coordinator