Chrysalis Ministries

Czech Republic, written from Budapest

Last week was a good “week” in Prague, although we never did see the sun!  But the fellowship with friends, and being able to share with them and hopefully be of encouragement, brought great joy. 

One of our long-time friends,  has gone through great difficulties in his personal life over the past three years. Thankfully, he seems to be on the “other side” of these problems. We spent over five hours catching up, listening, talking, drinking coffee and discussing his future. And thanking God together for the way He has been the Rock of stability and solidity in his life.  This was time well spent!

We met Sasha, our young Bohemian friend, for dinner and lots of discussion.  A successful young computer expert (he ranked tops in Europe when he took the Cisco Systems tests over ten years ago), Sasha is also quite a thinker, and always has some interesting and challenging questions for John.  This time was no exception – and it was great to catch up after several years.

Pavel and Hana are amongst the top Christian/evangelical leaders in the country, and we’ve known them since Pavel took a course under John in 1993.  They were Participants in the First Chrysalis Ministries Institute in Dana Point, CA in 1997.  Since we’ve known them, Pavel has earned his doctoral degree at Charles University, Prague and is in his fourth term as President of his denomination.  He also is Chair of the Interfaith Ecumenical Group in the Czech Republic.  God has used both of them in significant ways in the lives of many people in their denomination, as well as in the European and worldwide evangelical movement.  They are special friends, and it was wonderful to sit and visit and share a meal with them. 

It was good to hear about Pavel and Hana's “children” who are all grown, married and doing well.  Their daughter, Pavla, (for whom many have prayed since she was struck with Wilson’s disease about 10 years ago,) has had more surgeries recently, but is truly a remarkable young woman.  Pavla has been a wonderful example of a courageous disabled person(she cannot walk and has been in a wheelchair for many years) in a society where under Communism, she would have been set aside.  She gets around (even on public transportation!), speaks out for those handicapped, and has lectured on the subject.  As a result, changes have been made in the Czech society for the disabled, slowly but surely.

Stanislav and Eva, also Participants in the First Chrysalis Ministries Institute in Dana Point, CA in 1997, had tea with us one afternoon.  Eva is currently a Librarian for one of the Charles University libraries, and Stanislav (a lawyer) continues as Director of the Czech Christian Academy, an adult educational organization formed to bring Christian values to the country.  Stanislav continues to be a leader in Europe, having connections with various leaders and situations.  It was a good time of talking about various issues relating to Czech Republic and Europe with two such knowledgeable leaders.

King Roger was a wonderful concert, to which we were invited by our young friends, Ania and Tomas.  Tomas is a Czech student at Charles University, and Ania, from Poland, has just completed most of her seminary studies in Wroclaw, Poland.  Tomas and Ania met at the International Chrysalis Institute–Europe in 2005, and recently became engaged.  We celebrated their engagement over dinner together, and then they treated us to a wonderful Polish opera/concert with the Czech Philharmonic Symphony at the spectacular Rudolfinum, one of our favorite concert halls.  It was a wonderful evening together. 
Stay tuned – we will see what “engagements” happen after the 2007 International Chrysalis Institute–Europe this coming week here in Budapest!

In between visits with friends in Prague, John worked busily on Presentations for the upcoming Institute, and I worked on many details and emails back and forth with Participants.  Also, we kept an eye on the fires in CA that encroached on San Clemente.  Thankfully, we only have a lot of soot and ash, according to our neighbors and those watching over our house, etc.

More later on the Institute, 1-5 November, here in Budapest.

Wroclaw, Poland, 20 October

What an awesome drive along streets paved with golden leaves, the taxi being surrounded by falling gold and orange leaves, the air crisp and cool upon arrival in Wroclaw.  A perfect Fall day.

Dinner with the new, young rector of the Evangelical Theological Seminary and his wife was very enjoyable.  We’ve known this young man since he was a student in the early 1990's.  Conversation was animated and we shared a lot of ideas and vision/s together.  It was a fun opportunity to get reacquainted.  It is so rewarding to see such a gifted young leader in a place where he can make a significant difference in the Kingdom of God and the society. 

Wacek, another gifted and talented young leader from southern Poland, joined us for breakfast this morning and again, we had the great joy of hearing his vision of using the dramatic Arts for the furthering of Christian values and Christ’s message of love and salvation here in Poland.  His new organization is thriving and currently performing across the country with the production of: The King of Narnia.  We were so pleased to hear how God is using this organization in primary and secondary schools, theaters in various cities, and in churches.  We thank God for the years of serving together with Wacek (since 1993) and for his strong and creative leadership and vision.  And by the way, Wacek was a Participant at the 2001 and 2003 Kenneth N. Hansen Chrysalis Institutes in Dana Point, CA and was a member of the International Chrysalis Institute Team – Europe 2005.  He had to drop off of the Team in order to begin this new organization.

Dinner with Jan was so great (his wife could not join us)!  How wonderful to be with this young leader, successful in his life and business, one of the brightest people we’ve known, and one of those young leaders that has the potential to change the world!  We are privileged and thankful to have spent this time together, being personally encouraged by him, and hopefully bringing encouragement to him.

Adam and Mira, whom we have known and ministered with many times since 1993, invited us to their home for a quiet dinner. It was a very poignant time for us.  Adam almost died last March with a brain virus, and we did not know how we would find him. We were thrilled to find that  he looks wonderful and seeing him one would never know how seriously ill he has been.  Thanks to the prayers of many people, he is greatly improved.  He was in and out of the hospital for several months, and has suffered almost complete memory loss and most of his vision.  He has no sight in one eye, and blurred vision in the other. 

The doctors in Poland are not sure about Adam's prognosis, but he and Mira are very hopeful, full of praise to God for his survival and Adam could only say how “gracious God has been to him!”  He talked of how much He has learned about the Lord Jesus Christ through this time of great difficulty, and how He is learning more and more about God’s grace and love for him.  Mira has been strong, but is very tired, as you can imagine.  Adam was a pastor for many years and then Director of Polish Youth For Christ.  He and Mira had begun an effective ministry of counseling other pastors throughout Poland.  Even though Adam does not remember the many ways we had ministered together the last 14 years, we had great joy in sharing and praying together.  (And by the way, Adam and Mira were Participants in the first Chrysalis Ministries Institute in 1999 in Dana Point, CA.)  For us this visit was a good reminder: the Lord knows what ministry is lasting – we serve Him and not others, and anything that is done of lasting value is done for the Kingdom of God, not for the remembrance of man.

Jurek and Ania, a young pastor in Wroclaw and their two children , joined us for breakfast.  “You have been mentors to us for 15 years and” Jurek told us, as he shared his appreciation and thanks for the many years of encouragement and input into his life.  We met Jurek and Ania on our very first trip with Chrysalis Ministries in the summer of 1992.  We followed him through seminary, helping as we were able.

Jurek was a Participant in the 2001 Kenneth N. Hansen Jr. Chrysalis Institute in Dana Point, CA.  Jurek told how the Institute and what he heard there changed his life, and meant so much to him.  “I heard that God is my Father” in a new way, and “it totally changed me”.  You and John have made a significant impact in my life, and I thank God for your love and interest in me and my life. 

We are always encouraged to hear such wonderful things about how God has used us, and give God the glory for the opportunity to serve him through Chrysalis.  Our mission, this unique ministry of “equipping, encouraging and enabling existing and emerging younger leaders to be all that God is calling them to be . . .” has brought hope and help to many such younger leaders and we are thankful to God for that and His grace and love to us in remarkable ways.

Next stop: Prague, Czech Republic.

Growing Leadership

Growing Leadership – The 2nd International Chrysalis Insititute, being held in Budapest Hungary, 1 - 5 November, will have 40 Participants attending from Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, and Wales.  The European Team has been planning this event for two years, trusting that God will oversee this unique event.  Interactive and focused on the needs of the young leaders is what it is all about!  The variety of Participants will be fun

Resource People will be:

Dr. G. Walter Hansen, Professor of Global Theological Education at Fuller Seminary and President of Rivendell Stewards’ Trust. Former pastor, professor at Trinity Theological College, Singapore; member of the  Board of Trustess for Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA and Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.  Author and speaker.  His topics will be:
1. The tests of the Apostles: The test of exclusion--the call of Matthew
2. Circles of Identity [to be used in session one]
3. The tests of the Apostles: The test of failure--Peters denial
4. The tests of the Apostles: The test of betrayal--the betrayal of Judas
5. The tests of the Apostles: The test of doubt--Doubting Thomas

Gilman Robinson, M.A., M.B.A., retired President of the Covenant Trust, Chicago and former owner of successful investment company, Menlo Park, CA. Member of the Board of Trustees, Fuller Seminary.  Gilman will administer the DISC personality performance test.

Bishop Dr. Efraim Tendero,  President of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, Manila, Philippines, former pastor and author.  Bishop Ef’s topics:

Keynote: The Greatness of God and and  Identity in Christ as Person and as a Christian Leader
1. Continuing Personal and Professional Development of Leaders
2. Keeping Balance in the Life of a Leader
3. Character Development for the Leader
4. Developing New Leaders and Developing Christ-like Leaders
5. Creativity: Maintaining Freshness & Creativity in Leadership

Dr. John M. Dettoni, former pastor, Director of the Extension Program and professor of Christian Formation and Discipleship, Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA, and President of Chrysalis Ministries.  Former pastor, Christian Education and Youth leader, author and speaker.  John’s topics:
1. Developing a Team
2. How to Introduce Change
3. Vision:  What is it?  How does one obtain Vision? How to Maintain Vision?

Participants Will be:

Czech Republic:  Thomas Grulich, Jirka Helis, Tomas W. Pavlicek, Jakub Limr, Jiri Subr, Martin Vlasak, Jan Lukl

Poland:  Robert Miksa, Ania Wilinska, Artur Grybek, Remigiusz Neuman, Agnieszka Walicka, Szymon Koldys, Marek Barna, Tomasz Miksa,

Romania:  Mirel Talpes, Adi Stanciu, Narcis Grama, Anca Caciora, Fanel Serban, Daniel Tiriteu, Radu Druta (2 more not listed yet)

Serbia:  Samuil Petrovski, Bojan Ruvarac, Vanja Miljevic, Nenad Radeka, Darijo Sehic, Jan Hanula,  Danijel Petkovski, Marko Stupar, Daniela Kokan, Biljana Bandjur Jelena Djokic

Wales: Molly Chua,  Alvin Kok Hou Tan, David Wing Lup Loke, Jasmin Wei Ming Liu, Tekena Stella Harry

Bios and more information will be added soon.  Thanks for your prayers. 

Warsaw, Wroclaw, Prague, and Budapest...

Here we go again!  We’ve been going to Poland and Czech Republic since 1992, ministering and partnering with many different people from various churches, schools and organizations. 

First stop is Warsaw, where we will see old friends, Gustaw Cieslar and Leszek and Asia Walach.  We have known them since the early 1990s when Gustaw was President of the Warsaw Baptist Theological Seminary.  His wife, Hania, was a Participant in the first Chrysalis Institute in Dana Point, California.  Leszek and Asia are business people in Warsaw with whom we will have a meal.  Asia was a translator for John for many years and Leszek was a worship leader and leader in a large youth ministry in Southern Poland.  Leszek and Asia were Participants in the Kenneth N. Hansen Jr., Chrysalis Institute in both 2001 and 2003.

Second stop is Wroclaw, Poland, where we will see the new President of the Biblical Theological Seminary, Adam and Mira Otremba (Participants in the first Chrysalis Institute in Dana Point, California) and Jurek and Ania Kurzepa, (Jurek was a Participant t the Kenneth N. Hansen Jr., Chrysalis Institute in 2001).

Third stop is Prague, Czech Republic where we will have a very busy schedule, meeting with a number of people.  We will post as we travel and have the opportunity. 

Blessings, Carol

Looking Back . . .

A month ago we returned home after a wonderful trip to South East Asia where there are many vital and dedicated Christians making a difference in their cities and towns.  We felt the warmth and Christian love overwhelmingly genuine and enjoyed rapport with those we met in hotels, seminars and schools, as well as our hosts in various cities.  It was awesome to make these wonderful new friends, most of them gifted and outstanding younger leaders.  We found that even though we were in a primarily non-Christian environment we were accepted and welcomed by all, even in airports as we waited for our flights!  In fact, I was “blown away” by the sensitivity and thoughtfulness of one Indonesian man who got up and came over to me and offered his seat, as I stood waiting patiently for our flight-- the only time that a man has done this in all of our fifteen years of travels in Asia and Europe!  (I must have looked tired!  But it was such an unexpected gesture of friendliness that I was really shocked!  And grateful, too.)

Our seminars on Faith Development (John’s) and Communication in the Church (Carol’s) seemed to be very well accepted.  We had very positive feedback and found the subjects to be of high interest to most people. And very well attended, I might add.  We partnered with leaders of Christian schools, seminaries and a couple of churches.  The schedule planned for us was very full, but that’s the way we like it!  We did have a little time built into the daily schedule to see some of the areas and the beauty of the country, but it was primarily time to be with people and share/teach/speak.

The last few weeks home in California  have been frenetic, and that while recovering from jet lag of 14 hours time difference. In the midst of this “re-entry” we have had to immediately shift gears and finalize plans for the upcoming trip to Poland, Czech Republic and Budapest, Hungary.  And the Second International Chrysalis Institute, to be held 1 - 5 November in Budapest.

We are so thankful for the prayers of many who followed us with your prayers as we took this past trip--there were times we wondered if we should go. God was very faithful in overseeing us as we traveled from place to place, and we are so thankful that we were able to go to this exciting and vital part of the world to share, teach and learn more about the Family of Christ around the world.

Blessings, and thanks, Carol