HM Czechia 2025
06/09/25
Our 17th History Makers Journey turned out to be the largest so far. For the first time, we decided to go beyond the 25-participant limit we had maintained until now and see what would happen. With just slightly more—26 participants—the difference was hardly noticeable. The group worked very well together, and we are now open to welcoming
even more people next year.
What stood out most this year was that about two-thirds of the participants came as part of a team rather than as individuals. As a result, their engagement during the workshops was noticeably different. More often than ever, we observed people continuing their discussions even during free time.
Working with the new version of the curriculum was somewhat challenging. Fitting everything into a single week—including the new material—was not always easy, and we still need to make some adjustments.
The group also included two pastors who, in addition to their pastoral responsibilities,
oversee regional youth ministry. Both were deeply enthusiastic about History Makers
and expressed a desire to bring it into their own ministry contexts.
Testimonies
I am now very freshly stepping into youth leadership, and I had worries and fears about how I would be able to lead things, how the team would respond, etc. Here I mainly received encouragement and assurance in the mornings that He is leading and that I only need to let myself be led.
During morning devotions, He spoke to me and shaped my heart, even gave me a vision of the kind of community I want to build in our context in Havířov.
We clarified the goal/vision of the youth ministry and expanded the main leadership team. Through the people here He put things on my heart that I had never thought of, and I have already started putting them into practice!
I still can’t believe the difference between how I came and how I am leaving. Seeking vision before God was very difficult for me—I didn’t know what I should focus on… But I believe that God was leading it in the direction He wanted—and I began to accept that I could actually create music for Him and for others to the glory of our God. It is something I have wanted for several years, but over time the forms kept changing—I wanted to compose for myself, for my own glory, even about God, but… it was a different mindset. Then I realized that doing it for myself had no meaning, and I didn’t know if it was even worth returning to the idea of creating again… but my heart truly burns for this, and I deeply experience that God is genuinely calling me to it.
In many moments God held up a mirror to me and convicted me of sin. Then He encouraged me with His hope and ignited fresh motivation for ministry. He opened my eyes and helped me understand my role in children’s ministry and in the church—He gave new vision and focus.
I had the opportunity to weep and to rejoice, to repent and to receive immense blessing, hope, and acceptance, to praise God in songs and in writing in my journal… and all of this both alone, just me and God, and in fellowship with my brothers and sisters.