Michael Loewer
Albania | 26605
My Story
I grew up as a missionary kid in Nairobi, Kenya. The summer after my junior year of high school I worked at a summer camp outside of Nairobi, and it had a huge impact on my own faith. Somehow the process of sharing God’s unconditional love with other students made it real for me in a way that it hadn’t been before. I continued to pursue camp ministry throughout college and found that I loved working with high school students. In my final year of college I did an internship in Pogradeç, Albania, where God softened my heart towards doing missions and grew in me a love for Albania. I left praying that God would make it a part of my future.
After college God brought me to Black Forest Academy (an international Christian boarding school) where I worked as an RA in one of the dorms. In that role I got to play a unique role of older brother, mentor, sounding board, small group leader, and more as I did life on life ministry with 20 or so high school guys. I absolutely loved my time there, and it only grew my desire to keep doing life on life discipleship. In my fourth year at BFA, God began to water the seed he had planted during my internship and opened doors to transition to a similar role in Albania.
Where I Work
I will be working at Crossroads Bible School in Ersekë, Albania. Crossroads is a Torchbearers school that offers two twelve week semesters that combines Bible classes with practical ministry opportunities for both Albanian and international students. I will be a part of the student life team, getting to care for, walk with, and witness students seeking God’s transformational work in their lives.
In the summer, Crossroads hosts camps that serve almost 2000 people from all over Albania. The camps come with all the typical activities of ropes courses, archery, crafts, and canoeing, but also have the explicit goal that each camper will have the Gospel clearly presented to them and have the chance to ask questions.
Crossroads combines two ministries that I love: student discipleship and camp ministry in a place that I have been praying would be a part of my future for years. I am so excited to see how God is already at work in Albania, and to have the opportunity to partner with God in that work.