The Leslie family arrived in Croatia in May of 2000. Shortly after their arrival, the Lord led them to a small group of believers who had been praying for God to send someone to establish a local church. These believers had come to understand that churches are to be started by proper biblical authority, and they desired to be part of a true New Testament church. From this small beginning, the first Independent Baptist church in Croatia was established. Tree of Life Independent Baptist Church was started in 2002 in the northern city of Čakovec and was turned over to the national pastor, Brother Rajko Telebar, in 2007. The church continues today under his leadership, growing and learning to serve the Lord.
The Leslies have also maintained an active ministry among the Roma population in northern Croatia, where there is a great need for the gospel. They have worked in several villages, with their longest outreach being in the village of Kuršanec, where they ministered for seven years. During that time, they held weekly children’s meetings on Saturdays, youth meetings on Sunday afternoons, and adult services on Sunday evenings. Through this consistent effort, much seed was sown, and many individuals were saved and baptized.
One of the most significant ministries the Lord has allowed the Leslies to be part of is the translation of the King James Bible into Croatian. After much prayer, Brother Johnny began the Croatian Bible Project in 2009. Following years of faithful labor, the first shipment of complete Bibles was received in 2018. There is no greater work than leaving a people with a reliable copy of God’s Word in their own language. Since that time, more than 50,000 Bibles have been distributed to Croatians around the world.
After turning over the work in Čakovec, the Leslies planted another church in the city of Varaždin. Victors Independent Baptist Church was established in 2010 and has continued reaching its community with the gospel. Many have been saved and baptized through this ministry. After ten years of service there, the church was entrusted to another missionary, and the Leslies moved to the coastal city of Split, the second largest city in Croatia.
Through much prayer, faithful sowing of the seed, and diligent labor, Anchor Independent Baptist Church in Split celebrated its third anniversary this past April with 26 in attendance. At that time, the Leslies had the privilege of turning the church over to Bro. Oman, who is now serving as pastor and doing a wonderful job. The Omans are a young family who believe God has called them to Split and plan to spend their lives serving the Lord in this city.
The Leslies are thankful for the way God has worked out every detail concerning His church in Split. With the Omans continuing the work there, the Lord has opened the door for the Leslies to begin the next chapter of their ministry through Seeds of Hope Ministries, reaching the countries of the former Yugoslavia with the gospel.
Johnny and Tori Leslie have been married for 35 years and have three adult children who reside in Oklahoma, Texas and Oregon, along with three precious grandsons.
Sending Church & Clearing House
Trinity Baptist Church
Pastor Joel Haynes
2212 N. Davis Dr. Arlington, Texas 76012
817-460-7940 tbctexas.org
