Fusion and Kofola
Milan Szturc leads Fusion in the Czech Republic, a ministry that partners with local churches to reach out to unchurched youth through a network of evangelistic rock/gospel choirs. Milan recently had the opportunity to share Christ with a University student involved in Fusion. Here is the story – in Milan’s words.
Richard, who is 20, started attending Fusion about one year ago. A few weeks later, I invited him for coffee, and we began meeting about once a month, always with coffee or Kofola (a Czech soda that tastes a little bit like Coke). Then one day I read Richard’s Facebook status: I have been seeking something my whole life, and I still do not know what.
At the next “coffee meeting” I asked him if he could think about the possibility that what he is seeking is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He promised he would think about it.
A few weeks later we were drinking Kofola again, and I asked him if he had thought about my question. He said yes, but much to my frustration, his answer was not what I had hoped for. However, we continued meeting, and I continued to pray for Richard.
A few months later Richard surprised me. He said, “I did not tell you the whole truth about me. Because of a specific experience in my life, I have believed in God for a long time, but I am not a Christian. I do not follow Jesus. But I didn’t tell you this because I wanted to know how you would act toward me when you saw me as an unbeliever.”
My next question was, of course, “What did you see in our response?”
Richard’s answer made me happy, “I have never met people and a community like you. I can always talk with someone about my life and ask my questions; people here are always interested in me. And now, I would like to be a Christian and follow Jesus. But first I need to read the whole Bible . . . .”
Then, I tried explaining to him that reading the Bible is a good idea but not a necessary condition for a profession of faith. But, of course, you cannot tell someone, “do not read the whole Bible”.
At the next “Kofola meeting”, Richard told me that he was almost ready to accept Jesus,
even though he had not yet read the whole Bible.
This summer, Richard was with us at our Fusion camp. He was involved in practical responsibilities during the whole week. And during the Labyrinth, an exercise that brought specific application to the week’s teaching, Richard accepted Christ!
God saved Richard and six other young people at this Fusion camp! Richard, along with the other new believers, will soon start a “Thrive” group, a Bible study developed by Josiah Venture that focuses on the fundamental elements of a relationship with God. Richard is also attending our church and growing in his faith.
