Axis to Prague

In Prague, Czech Republic, Jesus Christ is about as real a person as Yoda from Star Wars. Jesus Christ is born from myths and fairy tales, and holds very little truth or validity in a country that has been described as the most atheistic in Europe.

Craig and Sarah Springer, former interns with Axis, Willow’s ministry for 18 to 20-somethings, now serve as missionaries in Prague. The Springers recently welcomed a team of 10 from Axis who spent a week serving alongside them in their vision to build a community of Christ-followers in Eastern Europe.

The team cleared debris, constructed walls, lay cement flooring, and taught Bible stories and songs to children at a youth center. The center, operated by Teen Challenge, ministers to kids by providing a safe place of refuge from street life and dysfunctional homes. “It exists to provide security and hope to children by teaching classes that will prepare them for the future,” said Craig. In addition to biblical education, classes include drug and alcohol awareness, cooking, and basic home repair.

The three-story building will eventually house eight live-in foster children on the top floor, staff offices on the second, and school rooms and a kitchen on the first floor.

“The amount of work we got done in just a week seemed small compared to what needs to be done,” said Gabe Strom from Axis. Massive renovations continue and estimated costs might postpone completion of the building until 2012.

“Following their liberation from Communism in 1989, the Czechs have been hesitant to adopt new ideologies,” said Craig. “But the current spiritual atmosphere seems to be shifting, especially in the young people.”

“They were curious to hear about our relationship with Jesus and what he means to us,” said Kelly Peacock, an Axis volunteer.

“Our vision at Axis is to be a community that dares to live and love like Jesus,” said Jon Peacock, director of Axis. “We want to be known by love, live by faith, and bring hope to a broken world. This trip was an opportunity for us to live out our vision.”

Read Axis Director Jon Peacock’s blog

Learn more about Axis

Photos courtesy of Matthew Bowie.