Revisiting Macedonian Call: is revival coming to Macedonia?

This episode focuses on the heart of the Balkans , as host Helen Todd and Mihail Kolev talk about the history and the spiritual climane of North Macedonia. Feel the pulse of a nation at a crossroads, where the echoes of a communist past blend with the aspirations of a generation seeking to forge a new path. Mihail's narrative paints a picture of a people yearning for renewal. His call to action resonates with those willing to answer the Macedonian call and  will remind you of the transformative potential within each living testimony.
The second guest, Robert Claus, an extraordinary octogenarian missionary whose zest for life and service transcends borders, will captivate you with stories that illustrate the richness of a life dedicated to sharing hope. From stirring memories of the Roma communities in Macedonia to the lighthearted recollection of his other missions adventures, Bob's reflections offer a window into the heart of missionary work. It's a journey of joy, sorrow, and ultimately, the enduring legacy of service that weaves together the lives of those touched by the mission. Enjoy a conversation that celebrates the tireless spirit and unwavering commitment of those answering the call to serve.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

What if you had a guide who could tell you how to bridge a gap between who you are today and who you are destined to be? What if, each week, you could hear a story of someone who has tried and succeeded, or perhaps tried and failed but learned something in the process? Limitless Spirit is a weekly podcast where host Helen Todd interviews guests about topics and personal stories on defining life's purpose, pursuing personal growth and developing a deeper faith in Christ.

Speaker 2: 0:28

Welcome to the Limitless Spirit podcast If you're joining for the first time. This podcast is for the followers of Christ and seekers of a greater purpose in life. I'm your host, helen Todd, and I believe that a meaningful life is lived by serving others. In this podcast, we spotlight a little country in Southern Europe, north Macedonia, and how you can fulfill Christ's commission to share the good news in the nations by serving the people of North Macedonia. In this episode, you will hear from a Macedonian Christian, mihail Kolev, about the extraordinary history of his country, its spiritual climate and the opportunities to serve.

Speaker 2: 1:13

And in the second part of the interview, I talk to Robert Klaus, an energetic 85-year-old who, after retiring from law enforcement, has spent the last 30 years traveling the world as a missionary. He will share his perspective on his most recent mission to Macedonia. If you are seeking a life of impact and meaning, or dream of traveling the world with a purpose to serve the hurting and broken people, to bring hope through Christ this episode is for you. Hello Mihail, welcome to the Limitless Spirit podcast. How are you today?

Speaker 3: 1:56

Thank you, Helen, for the invitation. I am very well. I hope that you are well as well.

Speaker 2: 2:02

I have to say, every time I have an interview with a friend from overseas, I'm just so thankful for technology that we have this opportunity. Here you are sitting in your home in North Macedonia and I'm somewhere in the middle of the United States and we can just carry this conversation and see each other. So that's pretty cool. But for our listeners who may not know where North Macedonia is at, how would you describe your country to them? Let's say they've never heard of North Macedonia.

Speaker 3: 2:37

Yes, people, usually Christians, who read the Bible, have heard the name Macedonia and, yes, my country's name is North Macedonia. So my country, part of the ancient country Macedonia, was in this area and bigger part is now in Greece. So we are a very small country north from Greece. It's in Eastern Europe and, yes, basically that's the geographic location, it's in the Balkan Peninsula and, yes, the capital is Skopje. In general, we are around 2 million people, slavic background, we speak Slavic language and what is one interesting fact is that actually the Slavic alphabet was written by some people that lived very close to where I live Scytolan Methodius and the first Slavic school was in our days, macedonia. It's in the western part. It's called a city of Ohret, which is a very famous site in North Macedonia.

Speaker 2: 3:50

You know, I just found out about that Scytolan Methodius were from Macedonia because, you know, since my native language is Russian, I'm very sorry, but I assumed that they were from Russia, and that's my bad. I was truly enlightened by that and I think it's very cool that as I read some of the signs in Macedonia, I can pick up the essence of the meaning. So that's pretty exciting. So I'm thankful to Scytolan Methodius for inventing the Scytolan alphabet so that our languages have something in common. And yes, I think I also read that Macedonia is one of the oldest countries in the world, dating almost a thousand years before Christ. And, of course, the story that you mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Acts, of Apostle Paul receiving Macedonian call. I think it's a very, very special story for every Christian. It's a story of God's guidance and direction and it's all about the Great Commission, which hopefully all of our listeners are quite passionate about. So it has quite a history. But what is North Macedonia today? What is the situation like in North Macedonia?

Speaker 3: 5:12

Yes, macedonia is a secular country, I can say, but for a very long period of time it was part of the old country Yugoslavia, which was a communist country, and I believe that it had a very big impact on the people's mindset. Many people identify themselves as Orthodox Christians, which is the majority, more than 60% but still most of them are nominal and when you talk further with them you will find out that actually they are atheists and they maybe go once or twice per year to the church on Easter and Christmas and in general the people are, I can say, disappointed with many changes. In the past. After the fall of the communist regime, yugoslavia, people were hoping for a better future, an independent country. We were hoping that it will be better, but better is not coming. People are disappointed in many aspects and actually a lot of young people my age and even older and younger are seeking to leave Macedonia to go to Germany, to the West, for a better life.

Speaker 3: 6:36

The situation is quite difficult, I can say, because we are a small country with most of the intellectuals living, so it's challenging in every aspect to maintain, to work, to find co-workers, colleagues, especially for the church.

Speaker 3: 6:56

It's also an interesting situation because, as people from the non-Christians are living. Many people from the church are also living, so it's challenging. It's an interesting time to live in, but, at the same time, I believe that God is still working, god is still calling people, and it's a unique time that we live in. I believe that we, as a country, have never experienced a revival, and we have never had massive numbers of Christians coming to faith, people coming to faith, but what me and my wife and other people are also praying in this time is that God will show us an opportunity, in this situation where we live in, to be a living testimony, to have the keys for our community to share the gospel of Jesus, and I believe that the best is yet to come. Even people, though, are disappointed. I believe that the best is yet to come when people come back to God and repent and follow Him.

Speaker 2: 8:03

This is interesting that you mentioned that Macedonia has not experienced a revival in its history yet. The curious thing is that every country where God has sent World Missions Alliance in the past, he either sent us at the very beginning or right before the revival hits. The revival of Christian faith hits the country. So I think this is a very good sign that God crossed our paths with you and Katerina and your parents, and that he put Macedonia on our hearts. So we very much look forward to returning to your country in this coming July. But I was reading the statistics and only less than 1% I think it's actually half of a percent of the population in North Macedonia are evangelical Christians, and so that's a very low number. And so what do you think? What do you attribute this to? Is it the communist past? There has been quite a few years that passed since then. It was in 1991 that Macedonia became independent. So many countries since then post-communist countries have been heavily evangelized by missionaries, so why do you think Macedonia is a little behind there?

Speaker 3: 9:31

Yes, I don't have a straight answer, but I can share my opinion.

Speaker 3: 9:36

I believe that one of the biggest problems is that people in general consider the evangelical church as a sect or a cult, because the Orthodox church is very strongly speaking against us and in the beginning there were a lot of missionaries who came and they were saying oh, they are telling us American Christianity and they believe that the Orthodox is the only true Christianity that exists. But the reality is there have been revivals, in Bulgaria, for example, where it's also an old communist country, where thousands of people came to faith, and I believe that Maybe we didn't have that our time yet. So I believe that Macedonians Will experience revival, maybe we. We didn't experience it until now, but I believe that it's yet coming. So barriers are falling.

Speaker 3: 10:39

Time has proven that the church is not a sect, is not the cult, and people are more open to the gospel now, and mostly one-on-one evangelistic form helps the most I can say. But In in this last few years, after COVID especially, I believe that the people are more and more open to the gospel. I believe that it's our time now To share.

Speaker 2: 11:07

I couldn't agree more with you and, if you think about it, all the important things in the Bible happened at quote-unquote appointed time. God's timing is very specific for each event. Jesus came into this world at the appointed time. There were certain events that have to happen. You know all of these events happen at the appointed time and Macedonia has a Interesting and complex and difficult history, you know, with the conflict in the Balkan regions and how it has affected your country and the problems that you had with the Albanian minority Seeking independence in your country. So there were things I believe that had to happen to bring you to this point when I agree with you. I feel like your country is ready and we are so Excited to be a small part of this and walk with you in this side-by-side. I know that at one point your president back in the early 2000s was an evangelical Christian, but Boris Tricovsky right.

Speaker 3: 12:15

He was a method.

Speaker 2: 12:16

He was a methodist, so you probably were quite young Then to remember, but I read that he had a significant impact on the country and even the economy, kind of bringing it forward. What can you tell us about that?

Speaker 3: 12:31

Yes, when he was elected the president, many people were suspicious because he wasn't priest actually. Oh, really.

Speaker 4: 12:40

Like a pastor.

Speaker 2: 12:41

He was a pastor.

Speaker 3: 12:43

He was preaching, yes, in the Methodist church, and also every Sunday in the morning he was preaching on national TV also. So it was very interesting period. That's a dream.

Speaker 2: 12:55

To have a leader who is also preaching the gospel.

Speaker 3: 12:59

And in all his talks he was Saying that. He has said a very famous statement and go something like this that he says our hope as Macedonians is not in the Help from the west or from anybody else, but our only hope is when people repent and follow Jesus Christ. That is one of his statements, where it's still. I read it a few days ago also. So I think that while he was the president at that time, the, the Methodist church was Because recognized as an official church, which is. It could have been done that all the evangelical church were recognized, but still it's One aspect that when you speak with somebody and they ask what church do you come from, and I say I am from the evangelical, and they say from the president, boris Rekovsky, yes, I say something like that, so it's an open door to not to be rejected from the start, but to yes.

Speaker 3: 14:03

He had a good. He left a good legacy in the country in general. He was a peacemaker and he was a good politician as well. People remember him as a good example.

Speaker 2: 14:16

I can say so that is interesting. I think God gave Gave your people, your country, and is an example of a good godly leader, and hopefully that legacy will bring fruit. And it's sad that his life ended short with a plane crash, but I I I'm excited about what God has for your country in the future. I agree with you the best is yet to come. So you know, for people who are hearing maybe for the first time right now about your country on this podcast, or for people who have known about it and and perhaps already Felt stirring in their hearts from God to visit Macedonia, what would you say to them?

Speaker 3: 15:01

I would say that if God calls you, there is no other option. But you have to go. So I hope God calls you to to come and help, because the Macedonian call that Paul received is still here. So we need the help, we need the people to to come and help us to spread the gospel, to To meet the needs of the people here. So the church is very small and we need partners from all around to to come and help us To to do God's mission together. So I will be very glad to To joining us in the work that we are doing, because we are not doing anything for the next few years. We are doing an eternal job, so the fruit we will bear together. So I believe that God has this time set for us to to work and to press forward for His Kingdom to expand.

Speaker 3: 16:03

Thank you so much for this.

Speaker 2: 16:05

Macedonian call and I look forward to being with you in just a few months.

Speaker 3: 16:12

Yes, thank you for the invitation. I'm happy that you're coming.

Speaker 2: 16:16

Perfect Bob. Welcome to the Limitless Spirit podcast. How are you today?

Speaker 4: 16:21

Well, I'm doing fairly well today and it's good to see you on the video that we're watching. I know they won't see it on the podcast.

Speaker 2: 16:32

That is just for us. I have been trying to remember how long have we known each other, bob, do you recall?

Speaker 4: 16:41

I think it was 1994.

Speaker 2: 16:44

Wow, that would make it.

Speaker 4: 16:46

It was the second trip I made to Russia and you couldn't find a bus when we got to the airport. Do you remember that?

Speaker 2: 16:56

No, but you can't blame me. It was like 30 years ago.

Speaker 4: 17:02

I know we ended up going to Norofa Minsk down there where the army base was. Yeah, so that was great, was this?

Speaker 2: 17:13

just the beginning of your and Jan's missionary work.

Speaker 4: 17:17

Actually, I was in Russia in June of 1994 and it was just a miracle how I ended up there. John Todd called me, he talked to me and he said you know, he kind of talked me into going to Russia for the first time. It was the only one from my church that was going and he told me what we were going to do and everything. It was a great experience. At the end of the time, when we were in the town, there was a $13 trade ride from Moscow. The Lord just spoke to me. He said you know who should go? And I said raise my hand. And I said I'll go. And it's been going ever since.

Speaker 2: 18:07

So you have never been on a mission trip before.

Speaker 4: 18:10

No, no, I went. We went to in Israel in 92 for a 25th wedding anniversary, but that was more of a tour and not a ministry.

Speaker 2: 18:20

So were you already retired when that happened or you were still working?

Speaker 4: 18:24

Yes, I was retired. I retired in 91.

Speaker 2: 18:29

And so I was in pretty good shape, so I went, and so you've been traveling the world sharing the gospel for the last 30 years. When people you know start enjoying retirement, you redefined what it meant. It didn't mean going fishing or golfing or just relaxing. It meant packing your suitcase and traveling around the world to share the gospel.

Speaker 4: 18:58

And yeah, golfing and that kind of stuff. You know that sounds awful boring to me. I'd rather be doing the mission field and say meeting new people in new countries and new cultures and everything.

Speaker 2: 19:11

So let's let's remember some of the countries that you have been to, so Russia, israel. What are some of the other countries that you've been to.

Speaker 4: 19:21

We lived in Ukraine. We lived in Jericho in the West Bank for almost three years, off and on, because you can only stay 30 days or three months at a time and so we lived there in the city of Jericho. We went through one in Tafada it was the second in Tafada that the Palestinians and the Israelis had and then we know people that are being affected by the war going on there right now that it's a difficult time over there and there's a group of Jews that are one not new to stop this war, but he's going to continue it on.

Speaker 2: 20:09

So what are some of the other countries? You've been to the Republic of Georgia, you've been to Indonesia, you've been. I mean, help me out.

Speaker 1: 20:20

Okay, okay.

Speaker 4: 20:22

All right, I'll help you out. Been to Bosnia, been to Serbia, been to Syria, been to Afghanistan or Israel, iraq, and got to sit in the Sedona. Chair's throne got shot at in Jericho, and so it's been an interesting time. I love it.

Speaker 2: 20:47

It's been a wonderful adventure, bob, and it's been a pleasure knowing you all these years, but today I want to focus on the country of Macedonia, where you went with us a couple of years ago, and so can you tell me what were some of your most memorable moments during that trip?

Speaker 4: 21:07

Well, I think the thing that really I so enjoyed meeting the Roma people, the Gypsies, and they were kind of hesitant at the beginning when we went in there, but after a while they saw that we were doing a mission, a medical mission, with them, and they started warming up to us and the kids started coming around and we had a good time. It was just a wonderful time. At the same time, it was a sad time of seeing how these people had to live. I mean, it was like this great big building and they all lived in the same building. It was all I don't know what a factory of some sort or one time, but they were all living in there and you know.

Speaker 4: 21:54

But the people had a good attitude and that was one good thing about it. You know they weren't complaining and we had a good time of ministry, sharing the gospel with some, and I would say many of them accepted the Lord. Now I don't know what happened. You know there wasn't any church around and hopefully one of the churches that we were working with would reach out to them and minister to them.

Speaker 2: 22:27

And that's something that we always try to ensure that there is someone that is doing the follow-up after we leave. So we hopefully will get to visit this community on our upcoming trip in July and see what impact. It's always good to see a follow-up, the impact that you left behind. But were there any other moments that stand up for you specifically during that mission?

Speaker 4: 22:58

Other than meeting the people and the team not a team that we were on, I mean a team was really good. In fact I think all the teams that I've been with World Mission Alliance everybody has gotten along well. And I mean, you know, once you get the orientation, the first day or the first night, I mean it just seems like we just kind of come together as a family and you know, everybody has a talent of some sort and so it's a great time. And this time we were in Macedonia. You know the team really gelled together. We didn't have any conflict or anything like that between people.

Speaker 4: 23:44

And you know, I tell everybody I said you know, if you're a Christian, first of all you ought to have a passport, and the next thing you ought to go on at least one mission trip, not some tour somewhere with one of the big preachers and all that where you got 300 people traveling in 20 buses, but to small like World Mission Alliance. I just love you and Chuck, I mean you and that Jack, you know he's a good guy to you I like him.

Speaker 4: 24:21

I mean, he really does a good job.

Speaker 2: 24:22

I love the word that you use the tribe. That's what I like to think of us as a tribe of people who truly love the Lord and have focused on building his kingdom, one soul at a time. Well, and you know what you say about missionary work carries a lot of weight because, my goodness, you have 30 years of experience, bob, in sharing the gospel around the world. So let's talk about some of the surprises. I feel like no matter how many times you've traveled, no matter how many new countries you've visited, there are always surprises along the way. So was there anything about Macedonia that surprised you?

Speaker 4: 25:04

I don't remember really. I mean they seem to all come together. One of the ones that surprised me was when we were in Macedonia and Serbia and Bosnia, that the things of the war that had taken place back in the early 90s, I mean those were still evident. We saw bolt holes and walls of buildings and things like that where this fighting had been and at the same time that we had Serbs and we had Bosnians, and now they were Christian and they were working together, whereas during the war they were shooting at each other. I mean I met pastors in both countries that had been in the war and they had been shooting at each other. I mean not personally, but I mean shooting at the Bosnians and Bosnia shooting at them. We met one lady who was a youth director at one of the churches that she was in the war. She was a soldier fighting for the Bosnians and I thought that was really interesting. That really surprised me.

Speaker 2: 26:25

Yeah, when you think about that, and the pain of that conflict is still there in the Balkan region and I think it's one of the reasons that is holding some of the aspects of their life back, and I feel like God called us to that region. God spoke to Chuck in 2019 about the Balkans and World Missions Alliance being involved in that area. We had no connections, no intentions, and God miraculously opened doors to several of the Balkan countries, but I believe one of the reasons that he called us there is to bring peace and healing and reconciliation between these different people groups. It's not easy to heal this pain. You know the memory of that war and the wounds of that war are still very raw, but it's only, like you said, through Christ it is possible that people who were shooting at each other in the war can become friends, can become brothers in Christ.

Speaker 4: 27:26

You know that guy in Acts 16 that was calling to Paul to come into Macedonia. You know that guy is still there calling us to come to Macedonia in the Balkans. You're exactly right, you're exactly right.

Speaker 2: 27:42

Well, since you have so much experience, bob, you and your wife Jen what would you say to people who have that stirring in their heart to do missionary work, but perhaps they're afraid whether they have anything to offer or they're concerned whether they're cut out for this? What would you tell a person like that?

Speaker 4: 28:04

I would tell them that don't be afraid If God calls you, and he is, because in Matthew 28 it says go ye into all the world. That they would have no need to be afraid, because every place we've been has been very safe. The World Mission Alliance has had the best of the hotels for us to stay in, the best of the food, and it was just a good experience that we got to meet different people of different cultures. So it was good, it's good and try it. You know it's the best 10 days you will ever spend.

Speaker 2: 28:48

Oh, I couldn't agree with you more and I'm so thankful for all these memories that we can share. Bob, I look forward to seeing you and Jen, hopefully at the Greater Purpose Conference, and we're planning on it and God willing, in Macedonia in just a few months.

Speaker 4: 29:06

Yes.

Speaker 2: 29:07

Thank you so much, Bob. Blessings to you.

Speaker 4: 29:11

And blessings to you, Helen, and the World Mission Alliance. God bless you.

Speaker 2: 29:18

Apostle Paul's Macedonian call, described in the New Testament of the Bible in Acts 16, verses 9 through 10, was a significant event in church history. In this passage, the Apostle Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia who pleads with him to come and help. Paul and his companions took this vision as a divine directive and immediately set out for Macedonia, leading to the spread of Christianity in Europe. The Macedonian call carries several important applications for you as well. Here's lesson number one Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Do you recognize his guidance in the small things and events of everyday life, or perhaps in your dreams and visions? Do you take it seriously and seek further guidance, like Paul did? Perhaps missing out on such guidance may not cost you your salvation, but you may miss out on being used by God in a divine partnership. Lesson number two is obedience to God's call. Paul's immediate response to the Macedonian call demonstrates obedience to God's leading. In the same way, you should be ready and willing to respond when you believe God is calling you to a specific task or a mission. This may involve stepping out of your comfort zone or making sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. Lesson number three is Macedonian call is associated with the spread of the gospel. This call reminds us that there are people in need of spiritual help and we, as Christians, should be willing to go where they are needed to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Speaker 2: 31:11

At World Missions Alliance, we're passionate about introducing every person to the good news of Jesus. We also want to give you an opportunity to fulfill your Macedonian call, whether it means you joining our next mission to Macedonia in July of this year or somewhere else. I encourage you to check our website, rfwmaorg, and look at the opportunities that are available each month and ways you can become involved. If you want to learn more about World Missions Alliance, there is no better way than attending our annual Greater Purpose Conference in Branson, missouri, on April 3rd, 4th and 5th. This year, it will mark the 25th anniversary of World Missions Alliance, and this means a grand celebration of World Missions. Again, check out our website for more information at rfwmaorg. Until next time, I'm Helen Todd.