Final Reflections from Our 2025 Czech Team

Final Reflections from the Czech Team

Most of our team has made it home safely—Donna arrived today, and Amber is staying in the Czech Republic for a few more days. As we settle back into life stateside, our hearts are full. This trip was filled with meaningful conversations, moments of connection, and spaces where God moved in powerful ways. We’re coming home changed.

Before we parted ways, our team spent time debriefing three main questions that helped us reflect on all that we’ve seen and experienced:

1. What have you learned about yourself?

2. How has your view of God and the church grown or changed?

3. Now that you’ve seen missions at work in the Czech Republic, how will you be more mission-minded at home?

In the email version of this post, we’ve included just a few of our team’s answers to those questions. If you’d like to read every teammate’s full reflection, you can find the extended version by clicking here.

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What have you learned about yourself?

“There were many moments on this trip where I felt inadequate—like I was failing. I didn’t feel as on top of many details as I wanted to be. I struggled to find the moments and words to connect with people the way I'd hoped to. I felt unsure of when to press in on certain things and when to ease up. And when making decisions, I often second-guessed myself in ways I don’t usually. Many of the thoughts in my head were along the lines of ‘I thought I’d grown beyond this particular struggle already!’

“But, as always, God met me in that place—reminding me that his grace is sufficient and his power made perfect in weakness. And that I’m a work in progress—and that’s a good thing. Months ago, I chose Philippians 2:1-11 as our theme passage for the team for this trip, and so throughout training and our time in Czechia, we worked our way through the whole book. Philippians 1:6 provided that much-needed reminder that God who started a good work in me will be faithful to complete it! In Chapter 2 I was reminded that as I work to figure out how my salvation impacts everything, I can trust that God is at work in me to fulfill his good purpose. And in 3:20 I found that sweet promise that Jesus will one day transform me to be like him.

“While I struggled in many ways I hadn’t expected to, God graciously reminded me that he’s not done with me yet, and when he is, I’ll be perfect. Until then, he’ll continue to work on me and through me—sometimes in spite of my weaknesses, and sometimes even through them!” — Amber

“So how do I process all this? What does it mean? I have learned that God is there in my weakness. From the beginning, I had flu-like symptoms that held me back from team outings or made me uncomfortable as I participated. I had anticipated that I might have trouble keeping up with everyone, but it was more disappointing than I expected. As I look back, I can see the hand of God in helping me connect and encourage others. God is able to use me no matter what my age or physical condition. Isaiah 46:4“ — Sylvia

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How has your view of God and the church grown or changed?

“⁠Our time in the Czech Republic reminded me that God’s church is beautifully diverse. There’s no one ‘right way’ to do church, and God meets people where they are. As believers, we’re called to engage with those who are different from us, including whether they share our faith or not. During Sunday’s service at Kudy Kam, most of our team had no idea what was going on, as their programming wasn’t their norm due to Father’s Day, but it was beautiful to see the regularly attending families lean in and engage one another in fun and wacky ways. In each of our spaces, we have the opportunity to seek out people who are different from us, and we should pursue those connections with intention.” — Mina

“In the United States, it is not uncommon for someone’s default position to be ‘I guess I’m a Christian,’ whereas in the Czech Republic, it is more likely to be ‘I’m an atheist.’ Someone even told Donna, ‘I don’t believe in God because Czechs don’t really believe in those kinds of things.’ That can make growing a Czech church feel really slow. On the other hand, when someone commits to following Jesus in the Czech Republic, that’s not a decision they make lightly. They have to mean it. In the US, how often do people lightly make a ‘commitment for Christ’ that fades as soon as their circumstances shift? God is always at work even when it feels like things are crawling along or when it feels like it’s always three steps forward and two steps back.” — Ryan

“There is a space for all of God’s people (the church) even though there are worship differences or other preferences. When the ultimate doctrine of our heart is set on God, all the rest shouldn’t be a hindrance. Yet all over the world, it is. While joining in worship and fellowship at ClicKostel, Kudy Kam, and Brána Pardubice, I experienced peace and unity of connection. It pulled my mind out of the sadness and separation I have personally felt from past church hurts where others tried to manipulate and alter the truth of God and of my faith. I can walk away seeing that I don’t have to hold judgment or resentment for that time in my life or those things. They all hold a purpose for God’s will in my life and for my growth. It is also encouraging to know that God guides his saints and builds his church, in order to refine each of us. Those stories and paths are all different and not something I need to judge. I can have a heart that meets people with love, care, and encouragement even though we may disagree.” — Autumn

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Now that you’ve seen missions at work in the Czech Republic, how will you be more mission-minded at home?

“The Czech trip has definitely opened my eyes to being more mission-minded at home. I feel like I need to think more about how I can serve others around me in my daily life. Instead of keeping all of the areas of my life separate, I need to find ways to bring my faith with me no matter where I go. For example, even though I work in a public school, I can look at my classroom as a mission field. There are ways that I can help and encourage my students and coworkers in the struggles they are facing. Even if I can't openly share my faith, I can pray for those who are facing challenges. I can look for opportunities to jump in and start working to solve whatever problems arise. When others ask me questions about things I've done or am doing, I can answer honestly and respectfully. I can try to make sure that others know how much I care about them. A big difference between planting seeds on a mission trip and planting seeds at home is that at home it will be easier to water the seeds and follow up. Being mission-minded at home is a challenge I hope I'm up for!” — Carrie

“Building relationships seems to be the key to winning Czechs for Christ. Worshiping God does not have to take place in a church building, but God meets you in the most ordinary of spaces. City Church is a great example of reaching people this way; Bringing worship to the nooks and crannies of the city. Great lesson that I learn as I connect with kids and adults at home.” — Donna

“It has been a privilege to be part of this group. I’ve truly appreciated the intentionality with which Amber has led the trip, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed becoming friends with everyone on the team.

One of my personal goals for this trip was to gain a better understanding of what’s happening around the world—especially in places where we partner with missionaries. I wanted to become more mission-minded. As a reminder, despite its rich Christian heritage, the Czech Republic now has one of the lowest percentages of Christians in the world.

This trip has opened my eyes and heart to what it means to be mission-minded—not just in action, but in prayer and empathy. From the start of our time here to the end, prayer has been central to how the Czech believers operate. It’s not that I (or we) don’t pray—but I often lack the frequency and genuine intensity when it comes to seeking God’s movement in the world. From praying over Libor Osouch’s start-up church with people from the U.S., Czechia, and Slovakia at the beginning of the trip, to laying hands on Michal and Lenka—leaders of the church plant in Pardubice—at the end, it was a tremendous reminder of the power of prayer.

Having now seen firsthand the challenges that Christians face in Czechia, I can better empathize with their struggles. Even crossing paths with a woman at the Ukrainian church service—someone who had just arrived in the Czech Republic three days earlier from her home country—gave me a glimpse into the real hardships our brothers and sisters are walking through.

I’m thankful that I now have these stories of faith and perseverance to bring back to our FBC community. My hope is that we, as a church, will pray more fervently for our friends in the Czech Republic and support them as they continue to live out the gospel in a place where Christian community is rare—but deeply needed.” — Adam

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We want to say a heartfelt thank you for your continuous support, your prayers, and your encouragement before, during, and after this trip. It made a difference.

As we wrap up, we ask that you continue to pray for the people of the Czech Republic. Pray that hearts would be turned toward God, and that the men and women we visited who are faithfully doing the work of the church would be strengthened, encouraged, and grown in the days ahead.

With gratitude,
FBC’s 2025 Czech Team