KPM 2009 23. – 26. April

This 16 th conference brought for 560 attenders the attitude of RESTART in their relationship to God, to people and to their service. The topic was again very relevant as we found out from reactions of attenders who said that there is lack of balance between activities, programs an personal relationships with other youth members but also with God alone.



Main speakers focused on restart in the area of personal passion for God, restart in your ministry, your attitudes, restart in relationship with the word of God and Discipleship. This year we added different artists to our main sessions for more inspiration and for the reason that youth workers could see different ways and possibilities on how to do youth ministry. There where around 70 participants that where led by Gods spirit and created great KPM atmosphere which God used for encouragement, change, inspiration, and for to gain new strength for such important ministry in Slovakia.

There were also another 70 volunteers who sacrificed a lot of hours and gave their gifts and abilities so that KPM could be a place where youth workers with their teams returns each year. The leaders of different areas at KPM who provide different services with their teams of volunteers they bring a lot of joy and inspiration and this year because of volunteers we have got to grants. One from our city and one from the government. The conference main room in Žilina was full again with a new generation of workers with young people who came from 118 towns and villages across Slovakia who belong to 160 different communities and denominations. This year we invited mainly youth workers because that is the target group we work with. This resulted in smaller numbers on attender side, but this is the year when we had the most of those from our target group. Total number of attenders was 559. Out of this number we had 164 that were youth leaders and if we add their team members that number is 236 and total number of those that are involved in the youth ministry is 400. One of our main speakers that comes from Slovenia when he was observing that energy and potential up from the balcony in tears he said: „God please raise such army of leader workers with youth in our country of Slovenia, too.“

We believe that God is building and raising His own army of workers with youth by using KPM, which is the biggest conference for youth workers in Europe and this is the reason we are thankful to God for each year when we can organize it.

For the end please read some reactions of those who attended KPM 2009:

„Thank you, that you build us and that you invest in to new generations“
„I am in awe how is this and the rest of KPM so relevant... and it react on circumstance and situation that Christianity in Slovakia is. You should not stop doing that.“
„I think that it is so great that there are people who's desire is to encourage youth workers and would even organise something so great like KPM.“
„Thank you for everything... specially for your care and our growth. Simply that it bothers you to know what kind of life could such common „leaders“ somewhere far in some village have. And we want to tell you that it has great meaning.“
„This is my firs KPM and I am so happy, that I could hear and experience things, that I believe will restart of my life. Thank you.“
„Thank you for everything, for this weekend that fully focused on God. In this world there is so much noise and that is why I have not heard from Him for long time. Thank you for all the encouragement, the peace, assurance of Gods love – I needed to experience it again.“
„KPM was done well. The drama and artists... it is so pity that time flies so fast and I have to count down days before next KPM conference again.“
„Keep on, you are doing such a great things.“
„KPM is 100 times better than my team members have describe it to me. I really like it and am am already looking for next year...“
„Thank you for the time of refreshing, rest, encouragement, restart and thinking. Thank Lord for all you do.“
„This was really best time for me. God was at work. I am looking forward to next KPM. I came for the first time and it was very inspiring and really speak to me.“
„I love to return here because this is the time of drawing the new, remove the old and the time of rest. I thank God that through you He is giving us the place to be together as one Church.“
„Today it was sawing. We will wait for germination, growth and fruit. KPM is needed like salt in the bread.“
„You are doing great work. Each year this is the event for me. You are great team, I can hardly imagine that there would be no KPM.“

„For me and my team KPM is always time of encouragement and there are things that help us grow.“

The trip to the East went really good.

Thank you all for prayers.We have been able to serve in different ways but most important of all was that we could do it as the family. The main goal for this visit was young man - Jano Havrila, who is one of the students at our School of leaders that I mentor.

On Friday we have traveled for 5 hours to be able to come on time for teenager meeting where Zuzka mainly was speaking about self worth and relationships. Then we splitted in to boys and girls and had some deeper discussions. The time was short so we agreed to continue next day after the youth meeting.

Next day Saturday we visited the city but also visited home where Jano lives. We meet his family mom and dad and his siter. That evening Jano was teaching and I have led worship. I have to say that I was plesently surprised to learn how Jano well thought young people from the John 10 - I am the shepherd.... After that time together nobody seems to wanted to leave so they stayed and wanted me to continue from yesterday to speak something about 5 love languages and how practicly it works in our marriage. It was really great time.

Sunday we visited the church I have grew up in Presov. Then we went for lunch with our friends Andruscakovci. For the night we stayed with the family that has same family name. And Oli just could not understand how it is possible that there is another family with the same name. Our kids and their kids clicked so well.

Monday we visited family friends in Kosice. We just wanted to encourge them and spend some time together as the mother of two little children has tumor on her brain that has been treated by irradiation. They still dont know the results.

Tuesday we went back to Presov to visit some more relatives and later in that evening we had meet with other stuff members and planned the KPM program.

Wednesday we had our TCK staff meeting and at lunch we have traveled home.

My observation and overall understanding is that Lutheran church in Bardejov has great potential, lots of activities and lots of young people. I was even able to talk to the pastor and learn few of his desires for the future.The family we stayed with has became another grand parents to our children. They loved them so much. The couple Benovy has served us greatly.