A Southern Preacher in Prague

The Czech people are truthful. There's no innuendo in their speech or mannerisms. They say what they mean and mean what they say. Straightforward. I like this. There's no guessing game. No trying to figure out the truth. When I am walking the streets of Prague, the people don't make eye contact. Not much interaction. Only when they come face to face with you, like going in and out of the building, will they say, ever so slightly, "Dobrý den," or in English, "Good Day." The younger folks, if they know you, will say, "Ahoj," which is "Hi!" The people are starting to get used to this Southern Preacher Woman who looks you in the eye with a smile. They are also getting used to my preaching.

The first person I met from the church was the pastor, Jana, who has been appointed to the congregation. She has a two-point charge, although her main concern is with the Czech congregation. She came to the English Speaking Methodist Church the third Sunday of the month to preach and consecrate and serve the communion elements. Otherwise, the church must rely on its congregation members or visiting pastors. This is why I am here, to both provide pulpit supply, but also to help them grow as called laity and to help them find a more permanent solution. Perhaps one of them is feeling called to preach and lead. Perhaps there is a Global Methodist Pastor whom God is preparing to be a true GLOBAL Methodist Pastor. I know God has this special church and I know He's already preparing the person. I also know that God is using me both to help the church members step into their calling as disciples who make disciples, but also to tell others about this special church.

The night I arrived at the church, Michal was there waiting to greet me and to help me take my very heavy suitcases up three flights of stone steps! Micha is Czech and he is the workhorse of the church. Tall and stout, he is the stereotypical Czech. He makes sure everything is running smoothly. Michal is the treasurer, audio technician, and church building supervisor. He speaks several languages and has spent time in other countries including attending school at Clemson in South Carolina. I love Michal's honesty. He says what's on his mind. He worries about the security of the church and reminds me to use my keys wisely and always to lock the doors. He also told me that he's getting used to my southern accent and says I have energy!

I really like the congregation. They are beautiful people - filled with light! Sunday mornings I go down to the church by 9 AM. I have some alone time with God. By 9:45 AM, Rob, the worship leader comes in and we have time to chat about the order of worship. Rob is from Alabama, but he's been here for 9 years as an English and Literature teacher for a private high school. He is married to a woman from France. I really like Rob. He does a good job leading worship and really provides the framework for the worship service. He also is a great musician and has a good voice. I asked him to learn "King of Kings" for the worship service this past Sunday and he nailed it! He grew up in the Methodist Church in Alabama so he's used to southern preachers. One thing I love about Rob is his kindness with the congregation. On Sundays during rehearsal, Michal is always there. He, of course, is checking the sound, but he sits in a seat and sings in a deep bass every song that's being rehearsed. Some worship leaders might find this distracting, but not Rob. Rob knows that Michal is worshipping even during rehearsal. You can see it on both of their faces.

On Sunday mornings there's a Bible study led by husband and wife, Valeria and Maude. Valeria is Russian and Maude is from Pennsylvania. They have two sons and a daughter: Nicholas, Alex, and Zarina. Zarina, the daughter, is the oldest, 20, and is taking classes at the university. Nicholas is in his last year of high school and Alex is a year or two younger than Nicholas. Zirena helps Rob in worship by playing guitar. Valeria and Maude are good teachers and I can tell that the folks who come enjoy delving deeper into the Word. This month they have been studying Hebrews.

Before worship begins, I usually have time to talk with Sujith who runs ProPresenter. Sujith, Lena, and Donald are from India. Lena and Donald are married. All of them take active roles in the church. Lena and Donald are liturgist and read the Old Testament and Epistle each Sunday. Their voices are like heaven. They have a longing to draw closer to God. I love listening to them.

Sitting with Lena and Donald are two couples from Ghana: Joanna and Theo and Jackie and Kwame. There is also Sky who is from Nigeria and is a graduate student at the university. All of them came to the Ash Wednesday service. I love watching them worship. There is so much light in each of them - a desire to know God more, to worship Him completely.

At my first two Sundays at ESUMC, Rob was with his family in Alabama so Marta led worship. Marta is Czech. She has been studying for a comp test to get an HR job. Before this, she was a missionary in Greece when Afghan refugees were fleeing to Athens, Greece. She studied and learned Farsi and was a tremendous comfort to the women refugees. She still has a heart for people which is why she is using her psychology degree to work in HR. Marta is the sweetest young woman. She's around 37 and she is a talented musician as well, playing both the guitar and piano.

There are others who I am slowly getting to know. Klara and Martin, Czech, who have a 9 month old little boy who is trying to walk. I love watching him pull up on furniture and use it to walk around with his little unsteady legs. He has the biggest smile for me! Makes my heart melt. I am hoping that Martin will join Rob this Sunday and play the cello for worship. Matt Stephenson and his Dad are coming this week. Matt is from the Dahlonega Team. Matt is bringing his mandolin and is going to join Rob and hopefully Martin for worship. Can't wait! Blog definitely coming.

This past Sunday, Tim, from California originally, was there to help with ProPresenter because Sujith needed to take a call from his Father at noon. Tim is very friendly. And although he has been in the Czech Republic for many, many years he still sounds American. There's a couple of other folks who have attended: A couple from Norway, three more from the Czech Republic, and one from England who was visiting family and so found an English Speaking Church.

Outside the church, there are others whom I've gotten to know, but that's for another blog. Until then, I happened to get a quick video of Rob rehearsing "Lord, I Need You" with Michal worshipping 😊

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/64ce80_8c921f06943d499b8e14d3144b19edc4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4