An unplanned meeting with a complete stranger during a trip to Korea in 2005 proved that the Lord still works in mysterious ways, and we must simply keep our hearts and eyes open to see Him move. Recognizing Vlado’s adventurous spirit, this person connected him with Richard Montez, another adventurous missionary who was using grand-scale theatrical productions to spread the Gospel worldwide. This divine appointment led to five ambitious theatrical endeavors:
These shows had over 100 performances witnessed by more than 100,000 people across Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. To make these shows possible, all the sets were built and over 1,000 costumes were created. The ministry successfully mobilized an “army” of 1,000 volunteers and engaged a significant number of artistic professionals. The true miracle was not just in presenting the Gospel to the crowd, but in the salvation and inspiration many actors and production workers found while immersed in a supportive Christian creative environment.
Regrettably, in October 2024, Richard Montez, the driving force of this ministry, went home to be with the Lord. Although the specifics of potential future projects remain uncertain, the profound bonds of friendship forged and the extensive collection of video materials stand as a powerful testimony to saying “yes” to the Lord even when the task seemed like a mere utopia. This legacy, furthermore, has become an incredible ministry asset, ready to be deployed by the Holy Spirit. We will once again keep our hearts and eyes open to see how and when this unfolds.
