The Albanian Evangelical Alliance (VUSH), along with the Europe/UK Palau Association, recently gathered over 2,000 Christians from across the country and Kosovo, at Re:new, a prayer and worship event in the capital city of Tirana, “to ignite and mobilise Albanian Christians ahead of TiranaFest this coming June”.

The large events, which will take place on 27-28 June, aim to be a “free family festival featuring extreme sports, live music, and a message from Andrew Palau, to bring the love of Jesus to Tirana”.

Prayer and worship

According to the organisers, the Re:new gathering was “a joyful, free expression of worship and an urgency to come together in prayer at the launch of this national outreach”.

Among the participants, there were young people, pastors, families with little children, the elderly, church groups, and more, “excited for what they sensed God was preparing to do across their nation”, pointed out the organisers.

The prayer time was led by key Albanian Christian leaders. Afterwards, Luke Brendling, a member of Palau’s Global Network of Evangelists shared a message based on Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.

He encouraged everyone to “embrace their role in evangelism, hearing God’s voice, stepping out in faith, and delivering a clear and bold message”.

Nda Breza, a local worship band representing several churches across Tirana led the audience in worship, followed by Hillsong London.

Preparation events

After the the success of TiranaFest 2012, the VUSH and the Europe / UK Palau Association seek “to help connect, encourage, and train Albanian evangelicals [...] to grow in confidence to share the Good News of Jesus”.

That is why they will hold the Friendship Evangelism Training, in several locations, between 5-10 May, “a fun, informative training, and a chance to strengthen the faith-sharing skills of the Christian community in Albania”.

Furthermore, from 23 to 27 June, right before the TiranaFest, they are planning seperate events specifically for women, business and civic leaders, prisons and a sports outreach.