We are Easter People and Alleluia is Our Song!
Refugee Outreach
BIC worked alongside other volunteers in feeding the Syrian migrants as they crossed from Hungary to Austria. This was a profound experience that will never be forgotten.
The Hungarian border soon closed, so BIC is now traveling monthly to Vienna to join in a “Let’s Play” NGO, playing and interacting with the migrants who are working to settle in Austria.
First Sunday in our new Classroom
After many years of holding Sunday school in the sacristy, BIC was given the “green light” to transform the storage room into a Sunday school space!
While a little more work needs to be done on the walls and floor, we are excited about the transformation!
Young Adults in Global Mission Retreat
BIC hosted a retreat for the YAGM of Eastern Europe. Pastors Gail & Randy hosted the group in their apartment and presented a session on The Five Love Languages. Pastor Dominique walked the YAGM volunteers through a day of listening for God.
Coffee Hour Ministry
Coffee Hour is a big deal at BIC! Following worship, people head next door to The Next Apache, a coffee shop that has opened its doors to us.
Sharing a cup of free coffee or tea, people from many cultures, places and traditions have a safe place to relax, visit, and get to know one another.
History in Brief
Bratislava International Church began 22 years ago, soon after the re-opening of the Lutheran High School in Bratislava (Evanjelické Lýceum which began in 1606).
In 1991, The Lutheran Church of Slovakia contacted the ELCA and asked for English speaking teacher volunteers to come and work at the newly re-opened Lutheran High school.
Volunteers did come and began working at the high school. Worship was held at the school in English for those who spoke English.
And then there seemed to be a greater need, beyond offering worship services for just the teaching staff, for those whose first or second or third language was English.
Answering the calling of the Holy Spirit, and the need for a English worship service, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, helped to start BIC, an international, inter-denominational, inter-cultural church; which began as a worship service and has grown over the years into a ministry.
Some of our confirmation class making “Holy Week bracelets” to hand out to the congregation on Palm Sunday. They were to be worn to help remind us of the gravity of the week. The Confirmation service is coming up on May 8th.
Receiving “diplomas” stating that the teachers now know how to prepare Slovak soup and may do so in their home country. It's a blessing to work alongside such welcoming Slovak colleagues.
The pastor’s apartment is used frequently for Bible study, midweek soup suppers and worship, young adults’ monthly gatherings, confirmation, and council meetings.
They also host a young adults' gathering monthly. More and more people join us each time, searching for community while living abroad.
Thank You!
Thank you for all you do for our community of faith at BIC.
What interests you? Comment below and tell us what else you'd like to know about our ministry.
Bratislava is beautiful to visit. If you know anyone traveling in our area, we'd love to welcome them.
The Lutheran School is always looking for great teachers—we'd love to talk with anyone interested in the teaching program in Central Europe.