1. Can you tell me more about the ACTS Gathering in Bosnia – what exactly is it, and how was GSA involved?
ACTS is a global network of action sports ministries. They are committed to connecting leaders in action sports ministries. They do this in four main ways:
1. Gather People
2. Validate Calling
3. Share Resources
4. Grow and train leaders
We were invited to attend this gathering, and it was amazing to be part of it.
The way the gathering works is not that you come to receive, but we were all going in to give, to share, and listen to each other.
2. What was the most inspiring moment or experience you had at the ACTS Gathering in Bosnia?
The most inspiring moment, which is always the hardest question to answer, was that we came together with so many different people from all different nations, including people from Latin America, Kiwis from New Zealand, North Americans, and Europeans.
We came together to serve each other and serve Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia. While writing this, what inspired me the most were the local people living in Bosnia. The country went through a civil war that ended in 1995, which was not even that long ago. The locals we spent time with are so committed to
bringing hope and life to their beautiful city, which is still recovering from the trauma they went through.
3. Tell me more about the collaborative efforts to rebuild the skate park. How did it feel to work alongside others with a shared passion, and what do you think this project means for the local community?
During the gathering, many skate ministries also came down to Sarajevo. I’m not a skater, but this city is so hardcore and underground, with many epic skate spots on every corner of the street. Phil Golney, one of the facilitators of the gathering, had Bosnia on his heart for a long time and felt led to pick Sarajevo as the place where we were going to gather. Not only to build each other up but also to invest in the community and give back, bringing a place that was hopeless to life. The skatepark in the city center was in disrepair, with construction made of rotten wood, but there were still a couple of kids skating it.
When we finished our three days of gathering, it was time to put our hands together. On day one, we broke down all the old parts. The kids and the people could not believe what they were seeing – all those
different people working in their city.
A little grom said with a big smile on his face:
“WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING, CAN’T THE GOVERNMENT DO IN FIVE YEARS.”
It didn’t take long, and all the local skaters and young kids came to help us. We cleaned up the mess and rebuilt the skate park.
It felt amazing not only to work together with so many different ministries but also to work with the local kids and skaters to uplift and change a place for good!
What does this park mean for the community? We did rebuild the park, What does this park mean for the community? We did rebuild the park, that’s a fact, so now the kids and skaters can skate safely.
I believe that this rebuild of the skate park will be the start of further restoration of this city, the citizens, and Bosnia. Whether it is through skating, any other sports, or ministries, Bosnia is amazing and has so much to offer.
