Progress Report – 2022 – September

The month of September in Slovakia traditionally means the beginning of a new school year. At the Lutheran Academy in Martin, Slovakia (LAMS) we opened 2022/2023 as usually – worshipping and thanking God for all his support and help. Our school pastors Jana Bosákova and Natália Kacianová reminded us that God is the only spring of the living water that guarantees our growing up in Christ in every way (Rev 21:6; Eph 4:15).  Our school grows even in number of our students and staff members: this year we have a record enrollment of 784 students (74 in the kindergarten, 465 in the elementary school, and 245 in the high school) and 122 staff members (91 teachers and 31 administration and supporting staff). The growth was partially generated by 14 Ukrainian refugee children who became part of our regular student body.

In addition to the Ukrainians, we also have new American teachers in our school: Julianne Wagner from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, IL, and Andy Tedrick from Tallmadge, OH. They replaced Nick Anderson and Lauren Kroschel from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN, who finished their terms in June 2022. We are very thankful for Nick’s and Lauren’s diligent and extraordinary work and wish God’s blessing in their future lives. Julianne joined our teaching staff right after finishing  her college and share her first thoughts about our school:

“So far it has been a great experience for me. The people at CCE are very welcoming and I especially enjoy teaching my students. In my classes I teach them mainly English but at the same time I learn from them a lot about Slovakia, their struggles, and joys. I like it here very much!”

This September we also strengthened our European partnership. Adrian Kacian was a delegate of the Slovak Lutheran Church at the 11^th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Karlsruhe, Germany. Around 800 delegates from over 350 churches throughout the world gathered for 10 days worshiping God, encouraging   mutual faith, and discussing the role of Christian churches in present challenges like the war in Ukraine, climate change, and secularization. Jozef Sopoliga, LAMS’s principal, visited schools in the Netherlands, spending time with educators, principals, and teachers exploring modes of cooperation. All these contacts are going to be cultivated to improve our school’s education to serve students and the community better.

Our dear friends and partners, at the end of this school year, in June 2023 we will celebrate 25^th Anniversary of our Center for Christian Education and 20^th Anniversary of the LAMS. Therefore, this school year is a special season for all of us to give thanks to God for all His blessings. At the same, it is a season to express our gratitude to all of you – our faithful supporters and partners. Looking back, our school is a unique and successful project that demonstrates God’s love and human care. We hope for both to continue so we can serve Slovak and Ukrainian people by bringing them the gospel of hope and love.