Bible School in Martin celebrated its 15th birthday

Celebrations of 15th anniversary of the Bible School in Martin took place during the first weekend in July. Program consisted of a Gala dinner Friday and Saturday ceremony of the conference, it was followed by a concert of St. Andrew’s choir with evening entertainment. Celebrations were completed Sunday worship services, carrying a message of commemorating the Psalmist “Come and see the works of God” (Psalm 66: 5).

FRIDAY: Gala evening
When we were decorating the gym of Lutheran elementary school, every day we enjoyed its unusual better and better look ☺. Indeed gradually were added up decorations, lighting lanterns, tables and festive table setting. The main decoration of school gym, however, was a huge poster, consisting of three separate parts, which illustrate the growth of a seed from the soil, so that it could once grow a healthy tree. By the small seed which grew from the soil was the Bible School. It was growing and it continues its growth in order to produce good fruit, pleasant for our God (Matt. 7:17; Mt 12,33).

That is why Bohdan Hroboň, director of the Bible School presented the story and missions of Bible School in Martin. Our longtime friends but also those who came to Martin to serve for the first time could hear the story of God’s action in the field of Christian education in Slovakia. Big applause with sincere gratitude to our God follow shortly after …

SATURDAY: Conference – Slovak story of the Word
Saturday’s morning of Bible School anniversary celebrations was filled with dignity excellent lectures by well known experts. The presentation of bibliographer Doc. PaedDr. Milos Kovačka, PhD. we learned about Constantine´s Proglas and Constantine-Methodist missionary message. Mr. Kovačka introduced to the guests also illustrations of Miroslava Cipár for his new translation of Proglas, which processed the popular Slovak poet, novelist, playwright and translator Feldek. Lecture on Praise on the Kralice Bible introduced literary historian, essayist and novelist Julius Vanovič. After a good lunch followed lectures of Bible School teachers Ing. Mgr. Bohdan Hroboň, PhD. M. A. and Mgr. Mgr. Adrian Kacian, PhD. M. A. The current Director of Bible School B. Hroboň introduced to listeners Kralice Bible as a shining example of the proper use of the time of grace. Adrián Kacian outlined the importance and justification of Bible School in Slovakia, struggles for its formation and its current benefits and values.

The part of the program was also presentation of the book of collective of authors under the guidance of Bible School and the University of Zilina Associate Professor Michal Valčo, PhD. entitled Christian Churches in Postcommunist Slovakia. This was followed by gratitude to people who have been fully involved in the early beginnings of Bible School by music with regards to its staff. In the final part of program was presentation of book of Prof. Dr. Beloslav Riečan, DrSc., the author reading and book signing.

The conference was marked by the theme Slovak story of its Word. That’s why the audience had the opportunity to see the parts of the first edition of Kralice Bible (1579 – 1593) as well as the Kralice Bible from the 1613, which this year celebrates its 400 birthday and that was during the century’s most widely used version of the Bible.

Concert of the St. Andrews Lutheran Church Choir
The conference at the fourth hour of the afternoon moved into the Lutheran Church building in Martin, where they not only have been welcomed by home church, but the choir of St. Andrew’s Church of Minnesota. Beautiful concert consisted of 16 songs, among which echoed one Latin, German and even Slovak song. The last song was well known lullaby Good night my dear, which won resounding applause.

The entertainment
Saturday’s evening program had a touch of traditional Slovakian entertainment. Contributed to this particular traditional folk costume which the employees of Centers Christian Education (ref. CCE, as well known as Bible School and Christian Education Foundation, belonging under Bible school) put on. Twelve members of CCE demonstrated traditional Slovak dances in this folk costume. Dance was a great success, and so it was decided to learn a few simple steps our American friends and guests. A crowd of dancing couples will shortly apparently grown ☺. In addition to dancing, guests have the opportunity to win exciting prizes in a raffle or write their wishes on helium balloons. Quantity balloons under a summer sky subsequently testified on the amount of human desires that are (perhaps a bit unconventional) sent to heaven☺.

SUNDAY: Sunday service
Worship services on Sunday 7th July 2013 were attended by many believers. High turnout had a parallel ongoing Church day that Lutheran church in Martin holds a number of years. On the Sunday worship service, not only American guests saluted, but also children from recently finished Summer Bible School – biblical English camp for children that Bible school was organized with the participation of 180 children after the thirteenth time. Program of Sunday Worship Services was filled with gratitude and praise for the amount of blessings which God blessed our service.

HeHe-T