Celebrating 50 Years of Miracles
conference > Sasa Ivanovic
Friday
June 27, 2008
(music by Sasa Ivanovic)
Background
Sasa Ivanovic and his wife Svetlana are founding directors of the Teen Challenge ministry in Serbia. They have three children and live in Novi Sad. Sasa and Svetlana have converted to Christ 19 years ago. At that time story about them was great encouragement to many Christians in former Yugoslavia for they were miraculously delivered from long-time heroin addiction and dope-dealing life style.
From 1989 -1991 they were studying at the Evangelical Theological College in Osijek, Croatia (earning BA in theology), and become full-time workers in the Balkan’s. 1991-1993 they serve in Novi Sad Pentecostal Evangelical Church as Youth leaders and close associates to the Pastor. During this time they are founders of Ihthus Evangelistic Team, who was evangelizing and had notable impact in Yugoslavia. 1993-1996 they are becoming full time Missionaries to Macedonia within Balkan Mission. 1997-1998 they were at Malta where they received strong call from the Lord to start Christian Ministry to Drug Addicts. At the end of 1998 they founded Crossroads – ministry to drug addicts. They started a small program of rehabilitation for drug addicts in their own home. They take the addict to their home and provide 24 hour care, support and love. Because of unconditional acceptance they demonstrated, and their own testimony of how Christ delivered them from drugs, many of the addicts experienced change and found new life in Jesus.
By the end of 2000 Crossroads ministry became a part of Teen Challenge, and since then it is Teen Challenge representative for Serbia.
Executive Director
Teen Challenge of Serbia
Sasa Ivanovic serves as the Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Serbia. He gives leadership to an organization which provides a variety of different programs and ministries such as drug–prevention ministry in schools, “Coffee House” outreach ministry, and ministry to broken families and individuals whose lives have been damaged by addiction. The organization also has Men’s and Women’s Rehabilitation Centers which provides 15 months residential program where drug addicts can receive help, experience transformation of their lives and became productive members of society and of their families.
Founder & Pastor
Christ the Savior Church
Sasa Ivanovic is also founder and leader of Christ the Savior Church. As result of Teen Challenge ministry, in 2001, small number of drug addicts with their families and friends started to visit worship, Bible study and prayer meetings that Teen Challenge organized ones a week. In just couple of months the group grew up to 50 people and very soon Christ The Savior Church was founded. Today it is a young and dynamic church that has over 200 people on their services.
International Involvement
Sasa Ivanovic serves as member of the Europe Teen Challenge as well as the Global Teen Challenge board of directors.
Sasa Ivanovic together with his wife Svetlana serves as the leaders of the ministry. They have on their heart desire to make disciples from former drug addicts, train new leaders and start new Teen Challenge Centers and Churches around the Serbia. Their vision is to reach the nation of Serbia for the Lord through powerful testimonies of transformed lives.