As the Million Month begins—an ambitious initiative to share the Gospel with a million people—one message is becoming increasingly clear: Europe is ready and we need to be too. From the streets of Prague to the heart of Romanian villages, young missionary Mara Lauer (24) witnessed both spiritual hunger and transformation by the power of the Spirit. Her stories show that this is a time not only to preach the Gospel, but also to be deeply rooted in our identity as sons and daughters of God.
The Czech Republic: ‘’Lost sheep returned’’
The 10-day trip Mara took, started off in the Czech Republic. “In this country, less than 1% of people identify as Christian. You can feel that spiritually,” she shares. But even in the heart of one of Europe’s most atheist nations, God is mightily at work. She tells the story of a man approached outside a church in Prague: “He walked away at first, but during the service he came back, gave his life to Jesus, and was delivered right there in the hallway. One lost sheep returned.”
Another testimony is of a homeless man who had recently been hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Mara testifies: ‘’We approached him, and his face showed hopelessness. As we shared the Gospel and the love of Jesus with him, his entire facial expression changed. Hope returned, and he smiled again. He hugged us and thanked us, and it was beautiful to see how the Lord moved in his life.’’
Romania: A Nation Called to Purity
During the second part of the trip, in Romania, the spiritual climate felt different, but the ministry was impactful nonetheless. “It’s one of the poorest countries in Europe,” Mara notes, “but I believe it has a rich inheritance and that it’s called to carry purity.”
The team saw physical healings—knees, backs, headaches—as well as hearts transformed. “One girl came up to us after a service and just asked, ‘Can you pray that I would love Jesus more?’”
Two Keys in This Hour: Preaching and Identity
When asked what she senses God doing across Europe, Mara doesn’t hesitate: “I believe the Lord is saving souls and bringing them into the inheritance of being sons and daughters.” For her, it all comes down to identity.
I believe the Lord is saving souls and bringing them into the inheritance of being sons and daughters.
“There’s a redemption of the reality of a loving Father. If you know who you are in Christ, and who your Father is, you can walk in fullness. You have everything you need. In Colossians it says, ‘You are complete in Him.’ That’s what sustains revival.” Mara emphasizes that revival isn’t meant to be a one-time event but a long-term move of God—something only possible when we as believers are rooted deeply in our identity in Christ.
Rooted and Grounded in Love
How do we grow deeper roots in Christ? “Read Scripture,” she urges. “Let God’s Word read you. Let it point out the lies you’ve believed about yourself. Write down the truth and declare it over yourself until it moves from your head to your heart. Actively renew your mind by meditating on the truth.”
Write down the truth and declare it over yourself until it moves from your head to your heart.
She recounts her own transformation through Psalm 23: “At some point, the truth just hit me: His goodness and mercy will pursue me. There is nothing that I have to do in order to receive His goodness—I just have to position myself as a daughter and receive.’’
Conclusion: From Dry Ground to Living Streams
“During the trip, I kept seeing water coming out of rocks,” Mara says, echoing Moses in the wilderness. ‘’I sense that new water will come over that nation and refresh and cleanse the Czech Republic. One leader got really touched by this because she said she has been praying for years that the Lord would pour out just water over that nation again.’’
I kept seeing water coming out of rocks.
‘’That’s what I believe: dry lands are going to be watered by the Holy Spirit.’’ As the Million Month begins, Mara’s stories are a timely reminder: Europe is thirsty—but the Living Water is flowing.
