The Czech Republic

Communism ... to Capitalism! Oppression ...to
free expression! Atheism ...to Christianity, well
not quite ...That will depend on whether or not
the Great Commision is carried out completely
in ... the Czech Republic, a nation of 10.2
million people in the heart of old Europe. A
tenth of that population resides in it’s capital,
Prague, a city with roots in the middle ages. A
time of kings and castles: the time of a
preacher named John Huss. "Hledej pravdy!"
Seek the truth, he preached. "Braň pravdy, až
do smrti," "Defend the truth, even unto death,"
he cried. And that he bravely did - dying at the
stake on July 5, 1415. ...That was then, today
the Czech Republic, especially Bohemia is
tragically the most atheistic place in all of
former Eastern Europe. By recent polls the
figures remain at 75% Atheist! Prague, in
contemporary times endured 6 years of Nazi

occupation and 40 years of communist oppression. Then in 1989, the Velvet Revolution and
Freedom - A new day had dawned! It was into this remarkable and captivating city, poised at
one of the most significant crossroads in its long history, that God called the Rettigs. We
answered that call and in the fall of 1992 we set out on the deputation trail across America.
By God’s supply through many faithful independent, Baptist churches, the deputation trail
brought us to the runway of the old dilapidated Prague airport on February 8, 1994. The end
of that trail was the beginning of the Road to the Uttermost Part in the Czech Republic
almost 14 years ago. It seems like yesterday. But what a different world it was then. Those
who come to Prague today cannot find the Prague of those days. That may seem hard to
believe that 10 years can make such a difference. But 40 years of stagnation under
communism had basically stopped the clock. Freedom set it running at a ferocious pace.
Economic change came fast - but spiritual change has been much slower!! But that change is
happening! As we carry out the work of the Great Commision we remember that God the
Father sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross and to build a church. The son of Man is come to
seek and to save that which was lost. The saving, Christ does alone -to do the seeking, he
established churches! That is why we are here - sent by a church - New Testament Baptist
Church, Larimore, North Dakota. To build a church - Baptistické shromáždění - PRAHA.