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Serbian Church Brings True Freedom to Addicts

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Faith Facts

  • Serbia has only 6,000 evangelicals, making up just 0.1% of the population.
  • Rev. Dušan Beređi, once an addict himself, found freedom through Christ and now leads the Rainbow Rehabilitation Center.
  • The church programs, inspired by the Teen Challenge model, help men struggling with addiction, homelessness, and gambling.

Jesus declared His mission was “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), a truth lived out daily in Novi Sad, Serbia, where the Rainbow Rehabilitation Center opens its doors to men seeking freedom from addiction. The center is run by dedicated believers, on mission in a country with only a small evangelical presence.

Rev. Dušan Beređi, or Pastor Bera, once lived in addiction and despair until God’s grace set him free, an experience that shapes his compassionate leadership.

“For me, it’s easy to understand the pain of addiction, the struggle and the relapse and all those issues.”

Pastor Bera testifies that his healing came not through human effort, but through a miraculous encounter with Jesus—a deliverance that ended his desire for alcohol and drugs instantly, and for the last 32 years, he has remained free.

“So for me, with the healing [after prayer] I just lost the desire completely. I was free in a second and I have not touched alcohol for 32 years.”

Though aware of the lifelong dangers of addiction, he believes God alone brings real and lasting freedom from its grip, striving to bring others to the same place of true deliverance.

“Our goal is to bring people to the stage where they don’t have any more desire for them — and only God can do that.”

The aftermath of the Kosovo War left Serbia flooded with heroin, making addiction widespread. Pastor Bera and his team began offering support after seeing the limits of outside rehabs, eventually opening their own center to serve men suffering from various addictions.

Their ministry not only addresses drug abuse, but also alcoholism and gambling, meeting people where they are and offering a Biblical path to recovery and restored hope.

While resources for women in addiction remain limited locally, the church’s focus on men’s ministry is a response to the needs and realities they face in their context.

Pastor Bera reminds us that only a relationship with Jesus can fill the deep emptiness that addicts try to escape, pointing to God’s power to restore broken lives and give lasting purpose.

“When God comes into our life, the deep feeling of purpose gives a strength to deal with our pain, pain of our past.”

If you believe in the power of God’s grace to transform lives, stand in prayer and support for ministries like Rainbow Rehabilitation Center as they offer hope, freedom, and new beginnings in Christ.

Read the original story at Christian Daily

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Faith

Christian Apologist Urges Believers to Share Faith Boldly

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Faith Facts

  • Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist Professor John Lennox encourages believers to share their faith with confidence.
  • Lennox stresses that evangelism is not reserved only for preachers, theologians, or those with extensive biblical knowledge.
  • Every Christian is called to be a witness for Christ in daily life.

Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist Professor John Lennox is urging believers everywhere to share their faith with greater boldness and confidence. He reminds Christians that the call to witness is not limited to pastors or scholars but belongs to every follower of Christ.

“We’re all called to be witnesses,” Lennox declares. This simple truth challenges the idea that only trained experts can effectively share the gospel.

Professor Lennox emphasizes that evangelism is not about having every theological answer or delivering polished sermons. Instead, it is about living out and speaking the truth of Christ wherever God places His people.

His words come as a timely encouragement to Christians who may feel hesitant or unqualified to speak about their faith. Lennox points to the biblical calling that every believer is a witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the hope within them.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Islamic Extremists Strike Funeral in Jordan, Killing Seven Christians

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Faith Facts

  • At least seven Christians were killed in a targeted attack on a Greek Orthodox funeral service in Jordan.
  • The assault occurred at a church known for peaceful worship and interfaith coexistence in the region.
  • The attack highlights the ongoing threat of Islamic extremism to Christian communities worldwide.

In a rare attack in a country known for peaceful inter-faith coexistence, suspected Islamic extremists attacked a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan on Friday (Oct. 23), shooting at least seven people to death and wounding 28 others, according to reports.

The violence interrupted a sacred time of mourning and remembrance, striking at the heart of a Christian community gathered in faith.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Why Raising Hands in Worship Does Not Define True Faith

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Faith Facts

  • God examines the heart rather than outward gestures during worship.
  • Scripture teaches that authentic faith is shown through obedience and love, not visible enthusiasm.
  • Believers are called to honor every sincere heart that worships in spirit and truth.

Too often, outward expressions of enthusiasm are mistaken for spiritual maturity. But God looks at the heart, not whether we’re standing, sitting or raising our hands, says Dawn Butler.

“God looks at the heart, not whether we’re standing, sitting or raising our hands,”

Churches across America have seen a growing emphasis on physical expressions during worship. This trend can unintentionally pressure believers who prefer quieter reverence. The result is that some faithful Christians feel judged for their personal style of worship.

“Too often, outward expressions of enthusiasm are mistaken for spiritual maturity.”

True worship flows from a surrendered heart that seeks to honor God in every area of life. Scripture consistently points to inward devotion rather than external performance. When congregations focus on visible actions, they risk overlooking the quiet strength of those who serve faithfully in the background.

Christian liberty allows room for both raised hands and bowed heads. The key is whether each believer approaches the Lord with reverence and sincerity. Families benefit when churches encourage unity over uniformity in worship practices.

“God looks at the heart, not whether we’re standing, sitting or raising our hands.”

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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