When flowers bloom between the stones

Twelve people responsible for the work of the UMC in North Africa experienced encouraging days in Tunis in mid-January 2026.
 
Pastors and lay leaders from North Africa, representatives from France and Switzerland, and guests from the Methodist Church in Italy took part in their annual meeting, hosted by District Superintendent Freddy Nzambe and Bishop Stefan Zürcher.
 
The focus was on sharing experiences and prayer. The program also included devotions and Bible studies, discussions on current issues of church work and thematic contributions, as well as fellowship with one another - not least around the table while enjoying Tunisian cuisine.
 
Both were expressed in the reports on the current developments: on the one hand, the major challenges caused by the precarious economic and political situation were mentioned. The constant personal insecurity, the severe restrictions on the possibilities of church work, incomprehensible decisions by the authorities, and other things are causing those responsible a great deal of stress. On the other hand, it was once again encouraging for all those present to hear how God is opening new doors where the old ones have been closed by the authorities. Time and again, hearts are reached and people are set in motion in their search for Jesus. And time and again, as a result, they knock on the pastors' doors, asking for Bibles or conversations. The baptism of seven people during these weeks is an impressive testimony to God's work. The ground is stony, but flowers bloom between the stones! The individual reports were each concluded with prayer, thanksgiving, and intercession.
 
Luca Anziani, President of the Methodist Church in Italy, shared his concern to connect Methodists in the Mediterranean region - from Spain and Portugal via North Africa and the Balkans to Italy. All of these are small minority Churches, which is why it is important to experience this solidarity. Being a minority church is not a disadvantage in itself. And Anziani compared the mission of proclamation to announcements at the airport. There are those who work at the airport. They are not interested in the announcements. Then there are the travelers. They listen to the announcements. But because it's not about their flight, some of them no longer listen. Finally, there are those travelers who listen carefully because they understand that it concerns them, then follow the announcement, and go to the gate indicated.
 
He said that even a small Church with small congregations - like his own – would experience time and again that people recognize that God means them, that they would begin to listen attentively and eventually join a congregation. In spring, the Methodist Church in Italy is planning a meeting in Rome to which people from North Africa will also be invited in order to deepen the connection. Anziani's report and his and his colleague's presence in general were a valuable broadening of horizons and an encouragement, "because it shows us that we are not alone in North Africa," confirmed one participant afterwards.
 
The participants left the meeting feeling grateful, strengthened, encouraged, and full of valuable experiences. The next meeting will take place in Hunzenschwil as part of the North Africa platform following the meeting of the Annual Conference Switzerland-France-North Africa. The meeting of the Annual Conference itself will also be an important occasion to experience the solidarity within the UMC and in service as a Church.
 
Source: Bishop Stefan Zürcher, Zurich
Symbolic image: Pixabay