This story begins in Prague in 2011. Current ME staff member, Avni Menalla was living in his home town of Tirana, Albania at the time. He heard about a Momentum Europe event in Prague geared toward European business people. Avni invited Evis, who was a University Professor at the time. She attended and that is how one thing leads to another.
After the weekend in Prague, Evis returned to Tirana and continued to grow professionally as well as spiritually as she became more involved in the local ministry of Cru in Albania. In 2015 when the ministry re-launched “Sotmeria”, aimed at reaching and equipping business and professional leaders, Evis was front and center.
Evis is now Deputy CEO for the water utility in Albania’s capital city, Tirana. In January of this year Momentum Europe friend, Rick who was himself a former President and Commissioner of Orlando Utilities Commission, visited Tirana and Evis arranged a meeting between Rick and the man in charge of all of Albania’s water districts. She wanted to take the opportunity of Ricks visit to begin to share Christ with her boss. Surprisingly her boss invited two of his associates to also join.
Although the meeting didn’t lead to an opportunity to make a complete Gospel presentation, it did open the door for one of the Albanian staff members, also in the room, to meet again with the water commissioner. As they left the building, it was clear that Evis was excited that she’d stepped out in faith and created the opportunity for her boss to meet someone of similar stature who truly followed Jesus.
So, as one thing leads to another, three months later Evis was on a mission trip to Turkey to share her faith with business
leaders. Drawing on her own love for the Lord and encouraged by the faith she’s demonstrated back in Tirana, Evis reached out to the CEO of the water utilities in Istanbul and as they met she was able to again introduce him to a local ministry leader to continue the relationship.
A meeting in Prague inspired some vision. A visit from Rick opened the door to reaching her boss. And a big leap of faith opened further doors to reaching her counterpart in Turkey. Now two influential leaders, both water commissioners in two different capital cities are having the opportunity to hear about Jesus.
That’s sort of how Momentum Europe works. The Holy Spirit opens doors and things begin to happen. We’re excited to see Evis living out her faith where she works. In a situation where corruption often carries the day it’s great to see the fruit of the ministry multiplying.