Journal of European Baptist Studies, 2007

80 Perica, Balkan idols: religion and nationalism in Yugoslav states idols , p. 14. 81 Report, (10.10.1986), SG, UDBA. 82 Grozdanov, Kratok Istorijat, 1994, p. 7. 83 Letter , (undated), SG, UDBA. 84 Ibid., (9.8.1970), letter to Korneli. 36 Journal of European Baptist Studies and love towards those that harmed him. He was a leader who demonstrated skills, not only as a good preacher and teacher, but in being a good example and friend. Conclusion Grozdanov’s life spanned across some of the most turbulent and dangerous times for Christians in recent years. When people remember his legacy, they often remember his meek character and patience. His ministry, however, had both success and failure. Strahil was especially instrumental in the establishment of the Skopje Baptist Church, which prior to his coming was just a small home church of Vanco Rusjakov. The vision he had of moving to the third largest city in former Yugoslavia preserved the church when many rural churches were dying out because of persecution and migration. He was also instrumental in leading the entire Baptist movement south of Belgrade for over twenty- five years, where during and after his ministry, several churches were strengthened and have emerged as successful mission points for Baptist life. There were, however, failures and shortcomings. The times he lived in were difficult, and perhaps not much could have been done, but it remains true that the church under his leadership did not achieve spectacular results. The growth of the church in Skopje happened largely towards the end of his ministry, in the 1970s, when other people, namely his oldest son Ivan, became more active in the ministry. He was also not a very successful church diplomat, and his conflict with the Baptist Union ended in tragedy, not only for his own personal call to ministry, but also to the entire mission movement in the south of Yugoslavia. Being removed from the payroll in 1965 meant that there were no long-term paid clergy in the Baptist churches south of Belgrade, a geographical area spanning 600 km by 300 km, and with an estimated population of 5.5 million for the next fifteen years. It did not destroy the ministry, because of Strahil’s sheer dedication, but it did limit the time he could spend on church work. His attempt to gather more aid for the destroyed city of Skopje in 1963 and especially for the Baptist Church was not very successful, because of the conflict and, perhaps, personal interests of the leadership of the Yugoslav Baptist Union. It is interesting to note that Strahil’s theological legacy was emphasised in three important ways: a personal devotional life, the community of believers, and the responsibility towards the faith development of children. The personal reading of scripture and prayer life The life and legacy of Strahil Grozdanov 37 was something he cherished dearly, and it gave him hope and courage to live o