28 June - TiranaFest Closing Report
A Week to Remember

We’ve just wrapped up the second and final night of TiranaFest, and what a powerful, unforgettable time it’s been. The streets of Tirana have come alive—not just with music, colour and celebration—but with the unmistakable presence of God’s love, boldly declared in the heart of a nation.

This week, we’ve seen a generation come face-to-face with the hope of the Gospel. The message of Jesus has been spoken publicly, with boldness and compassion, in a city once closed off to faith. It’s deeply moving to consider that in 1967 Albania declared itself the world’s first officially atheist nation. Though that declaration was overturned in 1991, there’s something incredibly significant about what’s just taken place here. In 2025, the truth of Jesus has been proclaimed—lovingly and joyfully—on a national stage.

Over 100 passionate volunteers of all ages served shoulder-to-shoulder with us throughout the week, forming a beautiful outward expression of unity and purpose. Whether they were praying with the sick, speaking with seekers, or simply being a kind presence to those hurting, they ministered with energy, humility, and deep love.

When Andrew stepped onto the stage each night, he did so with a fire in his heart and compassion for everyone gathered—whether curious onlookers or long-time believers. His testimony pointed straight to the heart of the Gospel: that Jesus sees, knows, and loves each of us personally. He spoke with an unmistakable passion and determination to make the good news accessible to all. Many have been touched and had their lives changed – some totally unexpectedly.

TiranaFest was more than just an event—it was a celebration of God’s glory. Every song, every dance, every word shared was offered with a heart to point towards the One who created us, loves us deeply, and is always calling us back into relationship with Him.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to each of you who have prayed, supported, and journeyed with us through this week. Your investment has made an eternal difference.

It hasn’t been without its challenges—far from it. From record-breaking heat, to last-minute delays, site shutdowns, and the news of multiple earthquakes that reverberated through the city throughout the week, there were moments that tested our resilience. Discipleship resources we had prepared still haven’t made it through customs. And yet—God made a way. The festival happened. People gathered. The Gospel was shared. Lives were transformed.

We stand now with such deep gratitude—to God, to our team both here in Albania and back home, and to you. The unity among the churches has grown stronger, a fire for evangelism has been kindled afresh, and most importantly, we believe seeds of transformation have been planted across this city and nation.

A more detailed report will follow later this week, but for now—we celebrate. We breathe in God’s faithfulness. And we say, thank you.

27 June - TiranaFest Night One
A Powerful Start of Hope and Celebration

The first night of TiranaFest lit up Skanderbeg Square with energy, joy, and a clear message of hope in Jesus. Andrew and Wendy opened the day with live interviews on Albania’s most-watched morning TV and radio shows, sensitively sharing how their faith in Jesus transformed their lives—and inviting viewers to experience the same through the festival.

As the festival began at 5pm under intense summer heat, local churches took the lead with children’s activities and stage outreach. BMX stunt riders from the Stunt Dudes team pulled off jaw-dropping displays that drew a growing crowd. Lindz West of LZ7 and Vic Murphy were quickly interviewed by national TV—offering the heart of why we were there: to share the Gospel and the hope of a relationship with Jesus.

Churches from across Albania brought friends and filled buses to get them there. Being a free event in the city centre, many passers-by also stopped to join the celebration. The evening’s music opened with the dynamic energy of Saintz, igniting the crowd and setting the tone for what was to come. Elle Limebear followed—her distinctive voice and heartfelt lyrics creating a powerful moment of worship in the heart of Tirana. As the evening cooled, more and more people gathered, drawn in by the music and the message of hope that echoed through the square.

The atmosphere reached new heights with Goodboys’ dance set and laser show, setting the stage for Andrew to share his testimony and Gospel message. His words were warm and direct, inviting people to respond to the love of God—and many did. LZ7 carried the momentum forward with a high-impact set, blending powerful music with a personal testimony that deeply resonated and stirred even more to response to Jesus.

The night closed with Westside Family, beloved across Albania, uniting the square in song. As people left, they did so having heard the Gospel—many for the first time. Please pray for tonight as we start again at 5. Let’s pray that even more would encounter Jesus and there is a permanent shift in the cities atmosphere as God’s truth is declared.

26 June - Hope Rising in Tirana
A Week of God-Moments and Growing Anticipation

What a week it’s been already here in Tirana! Our excitement is building as we watch God move in ways we hadn’t anticipated. From the very beginning, this has been more than just a festival—it’s been the answer to years of prayer.

We kicked things off with a series of affinity events designed to meet people right where they are. The heartbeat behind it all is the local churches. The churches have been praying, preparing, and believing for a moment like this for years.

There’s a beautiful sense of unity among the Albanian believers. Local church leaders are telling us how supported and encouraged they feel. They’re leading with conviction, stepping out in faith, capitalising on opportunities, and inviting others to experience what God is doing.

The fruit is already undeniable. Through the Women’s Outreach Evening, the Business and Civic Leaders Dinner, the prison visit, and other connection points, 166 people have already responded to the Gospel. One hundred sixty-six stories changed. That is why we do this!

A team of delegates from Poland, Moldova, Croatia, Ukraine, and Serbia also arrived today, eager to experience TiranaFest firsthand. We're giving them a true taste of the festival’s creativity and a compelling demonstration of Palau’s holistic approach to sharing the Gospel across the region—hoping it will spark fresh inspiration for similar outreach efforts in their own countries.

And now we’ve hit a turning point. With the affinity events completed, the focus has shifted to the festival weekend, and the building of the stage on Skanderbeg Square.

Today, sound and lighting rolled in. The first sound checks echoed through the square, catching the attention of passersby. Something’s happening—and people know it.

Bike ramps are up. Gear is in place.

It is our hope and prayer that we’re standing on the edge of something truly significant—not just an event, but a moment that will transform people’s lives and extend Gods Kingdom here in Tirana. We believe that what’s happening is going to ripple out far beyond this week, and far beyond this city.

So please keep praying. The festival starts tomorrow evening. And thank you for your support. Your partnership is sowing seeds of eternal impact.

25 June - A Day of Impact
From Prison Outreach to Women’s Gathering in Tirana

Our day in Tirana began with a visit to a men’s prison—an experience that left a lasting impression on our team. Andrew, along with a few others, spent the morning with inmates who, quite honestly, looked tired, unwell, and worn down by their circumstances. In Albania, prisoners rely on their families to provide food and basic supplies, so we brought what we could: olive oil, rice, pasta, and soap—small gifts that we hope showed they’re not forgotten.

It’s always been on Andrew’s heart to bring the festival to those who can’t attend, so we didn’t just bring essentials—we brought the Gospel message. With live worship, stunt bike displays, and the Gospel message shared by Andrew through an interpreter, we were able to connect with around 40 men. Incredibly, 30 of them responded to the message of Jesus. We also left books and resources behind, so the prison chaplain can continue to reach others who couldn’t be there in person.

Andrew also had the chance to speak one-on-one with several of the men. We’re holding on to the truth that the light of Christ can reach even the darkest places. Please keep praying for lasting impact in the lives of these men, and for the prison chaplain who went above and beyond to make this visit possible.

All of our venues and hotels are dotted along the main boulevard running through the heart of Tirana, which makes it easy to get around on foot—even in the intense heat. As a result, the team is constantly passing through Skanderbeg Square, keeping a close eye on the progress of the main stage build.

Most of the setup is happening overnight to avoid the worst of the temperatures, and this morning we were encouraged to see the lighting and sound equipment finally in place. Still, the process has been far from straightforward, with challenges at every turn. We’d really appreciate your prayers—for favour, for breakthroughs, and for momentum as we move forward.

The day ended at the International Hotel, where Wendy hosted a four-course dinner for 280 women. The atmosphere was full of energy—lots of conversation, laughter, and a real sense of connection in the room.

One of our team sat on a table hosted by a local church leader who had brought along colleagues and friends, most of whom wouldn’t call themselves Christians. She clearly had a deep care for them—welcoming, thoughtful, and totally focused on making sure they felt at ease. But when Wendy stood to share her story, she gently made sure her guests were fully tuned in.

Right across the room it was clear people were really moved. Elle Limebear opened the evening with worship, and Wendy finished by sharing her journey and giving a clear invitation to start a relationship with Jesus.

Many women responded and each of these will be followed up in person by the local church here in Albania. It was such a special night—one we won’t forget anytime soon.

It’s been a day full of meaningful moments—some challenging, some deeply encouraging—but all pointing to the incredible things God is doing here in Tirana. Thank you for standing with us in prayer and support. We’re excited for what’s still to come and so grateful to have you on this journey with us.

24 June – Tirana Update

We’ve just wrapped up our first day of events here in Tirana, and it’s already been full of powerful moments!

The day kicked off with a press launch at the Marriott Hotel, where we invited local media and press. Andrew and Wendy spoke alongside Alessio Sema, General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance in Albania. Each of them shared their heart and vision for the festival.

Andrew opened by reading Psalm 68:3–8

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, in praise of his name; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, THE EARTH SHOOK….”

It was only after reading this that he found out Tirana had experienced an earthquake at 5 am which he slept right through! How stunning that God would confirm His word like this. God goes before us even in days of great challenge. He and His ways remain unshakeable!

As a result of this press conference several other media opportunities have opened up to us so there will be a couple of TV interviews to follow.

Later in the day, we were finally able to start setting up the festival site in the main square—though not without a few challenges and some red tape still to sort out. Please keep praying for smooth progress here. The space has great potential, and we’re excited to see it come to life.

We ended the day with a beautiful dinner for business and civic leaders. It was a really special evening—great food, a celebratory atmosphere, and meaningful conversations. Wilson Smith, former head designer at Nike, spoke about how faith has shaped his career. Then Andrew shared the Gospel and gave an invitation for people to respond. It was amazing to see 46 people indicate a response—9 made first-time commitments to Jesus, 20 recommitted, and 17 asked to learn more. Local church leaders will be following up with each of them personally.

It’s such a joy to see people so open and hungry for the Gospel.

Tomorrow’s another full day with prison visits, a TV interview, work continuing on the site, and a special Women’s event featuring music from Elle Limebear and a Gospel invitation from Wendy.

Thanks for standing with us in prayer—more to come!

Andrew and Wendy Arrive in Tirana Ahead of TiranaFest
23 June 2025

We’re excited to share that Andrew and Wendy have safely arrived in Tirana, Albania, ahead of TiranaFest! They are joined by members of the Palau team from both the UK and the US, ready to begin a powerful week of mission and ministry.

Listen to this special message they recorded from the heart of the city—Skanderbeg Square—right at the festival site. It’s a glimpse into the anticipation and hope we’re carrying into this week.

Please be praying with us for the many ordained moments ahead—opportunities to share the Gospel in meaningful ways across Tirana.

The mission week officially begins tomorrow with a press conference, followed by an outreach dinner for business and civic leaders in the evening. Let’s cover every step in prayer!

An out-door festival in the heart of the city
27-28 June 2025 in Skanderbeg Square

It’s been 13 years since we last held a festival in Albania. Luis shared the Gospel reaching more than 20,000 people. Reflecting on that time and recognising that there hasn’t been as large an evangelistic effort since 2012, the local churches in Albania felt it was the right time to invite our team back to put on a massive Gospel endeavor in the heart of their capital city, Tirana.

In a country where evangelicals are a minority and churches have small congregations, word of mouth is not the primary way we are sharing about the festival. We have the main public square set for the venue—a completely open space where anyone can just drop in or listen as they walk by. With this, we have an opportunity to reach not only locals but also many tourists. Pray with us that foot traffic around this area will lead many people to attend the festival and accept the Lord as their Saviour.

This is a movement bigger than the moment

We don’t just facilitate an evangelistic moment; we partner with local churches and evangelists to spur a long-term evangelistic movement in the region. As part of Palau’s investment in a city, it is always our aim to establish a local evangelism team composed of pastors and leaders dedicated to elevating evangelism in the local church through encouragement, training, and ongoing outreaches. But in this instance the vision has grown! So far we have interest in establishing 7 of these E-Teams (evangelism teams) nationally!

We also help connect, encourage, and train Albanian evangelists, linking them to one another and to Palau’s global network of evangelists. This strengthens their commitment to winning their nation—and the whole world—to Christ.

Renew

In March our UK team went out to Albania to host Re:new – a prayer and worship event for Christians to launch TiranaFest. This was a hugely encouraging time meeting with leaders and key comity members. The lasting impression we have is the community of believers are desperate to share Christ with their nation.

Final Preparations Underway for the Mission Week and TiranaFest
We're in the final stages of preparing for the mission week and TiranaFest! Starting June 24, we'll be sharing daily updates right here—bringing you along each step of the journey. Stay connected for event highlights, prayer requests, and progress reports as we carry out our mission work in Albania.