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In Košice, Slovakia, Dianne and Shane McNary face several challenges – learning a new language, finding funding for missions projects and most importantly, communicating acceptance to people who are accustomed to being ignored.

As Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions field personnel, the McNary’s lives provide a wealth of opportunities to be the presence of Christ. The Bible is filled with stories of Jesus reaching out to the outcasts of society – tax collectors, thieves, lepers. In modern-day Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the Romany people live as outcasts.

Also referred to as gypsies, Roma are a minority who experience discrimination not only socially but by government systems as well. Even in Košice, the second largest city in Slovakia, Roma live in settlements that are separated from the rest of the city by natural or man-made barriers such as railroad tracks, creeks or walls. Shacks are constructed from scavenged materials and the smell of trash and waste often permeates the air.

“God has made my heart soft for people who are ignored or unwanted,” Dianne said. “We are working with the Romany people because they are some of the most despised, unwanted people in Europe. Many are poor and unemployed, struggling to live on public assistance. Most are concerned with what’s happening today with little thought for tomorrow or next week or next year.”

Distinguishable by their dark hair, short stature and olive complexion, social discrimination extends even into the churches. Catholic baptisms for Romany babies are often held at different times or in different cities than the regular services. The McNarys break these social barriers every day – whether by smiling at a Romany child instead of frowning or turning away, saying thank you to a Romany store clerk in her native language, or accepting cooking lessons from a Romany woman.

“I often feel that I am most being the presence of Christ when I sit at the back of the bus and speak to a Roma person,” Shane said. “So often, the prejudice is tangible. The power of a word spoken with love can transform the usual tension on the bus as the Roma respond to the unusual gesture by a non-Rom.”

Since 2005, the McNarys have been involved with a Romany fellowship in nearby Cinobaňa. The small fellowship began by worshipping in the woods and later moved to renting a room in the village. But last year, the McNarys partnered with Lučenec Baptist Church to help the fellowship purchase its own worship space – a house in the center of the village near where many of the Roma live. Although the house needs work and additional funds to be fully functional, the McNarys believe it will be a lighthouse to the community, as the fellowship continues its Thursday afternoon Bible study, after school ministry to children and coffee shop outreach.

“As we met with them for the first meeting in this house of worship, I was struck by their joyfulness as they sang and praised God for the blessing of this building, where they could meet and plan and dream together about their future ministry center without fear of being forced to move,” Shane said. “We talked about God preparing a place for us not only in heaven but in the here and now. As I listened to the singing, I was touched. There was a wonderful Spirit moving in this humble little house in the middle of Cinobaňa, and I was thankful for the opportunity to share the experience with our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

The McNarys are also providing encouragement to Romany children in Košice. They teach English to students and teachers at the all-Roma school, the first of its kind in Slovakia. Students have the opportunity to learn about Romani language, Romany history and literature. The school builds confidence and hope for children like Michal, who lives in a high-rise apartment building that has no electricity or water.

The McNarys’ dream for their ministry is to facilitate the establishment of Romany-led churches throughout Slovakia and the Czech Republic. With continued funds from the CBF Offering for Global Missions, which pays for the McNarys’ salary, living and ministry expenses and health benefits, their dream may become a reality.

“Without the Offering, we would not be here,” Shane said. “Fellowship Baptists should give to the Offering because it is not used to create a paternalistic, codependent relationship with the people we seek to reach. We have a unique ministry focus that is needed here – a ministry which seeks to empower Roma to be ministers of Christ.”

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.