It was five o’clock in the morning on March 22, 2020, when Pastor Dario awoke with a start. He had not planned to rise so early, but suddenly he was fully awake—with a strong urge to sing.

Slipping quietly out of bed, he picked up his guitar and began singing, “I’m never alone, I’m never alone…”

For the next thirty minutes he sang the same words over and over. He did not know why.

Then he knelt beside his bed and began praying for the online evangelistic series he had been presenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day he faithfully livestreamed messages of hope, yet viewership had been low. He prayed that somehow God would use the meetings to reach hearts.

After some time, he returned to bed. Lying on his back, arms stretched upward toward heaven, he continued praying, this time for his church members. He asked God to strengthen them, to encourage them, to hold them close.

Pastor Dario served the historic Zagreb 1 Seventh-day Adventist Church—the first Adventist congregation in Croatia. Built in 1935, it was the first Adventist-owned worship space in the capital city. Dedicated members had constructed it during a time of legal and social challenges. The complex included a beautiful two-story sanctuary, Sabbath School rooms, offices, a library, publishing space, and several apartments located directly above the sanctuary.

Pastor Dario lived in one of those apartments.

At 6:34 a.m., as he lay there praying, the entire building began to shake violently.

Cabinets crashed. Walls cracked. The ground rolled beneath him.

But he felt at peace. He knew God was with him. The words he had just been singing filled his mind: I’m never alone.

“God, I’m ready,” he prayed. “Even if I die.”

When the shaking subsided, screams echoed from nearby buildings. The earthquake struck Zagreb with devastating force. Quickly dressing, Pastor Dario rushed outside, gathering neighbors and helping calm frightened residents. Many buildings in the city were damaged beyond repair, including the historic Zagreb 1 sanctuary.

By 10:00 a.m., his phone began ringing. Concerned family members urged him to leave the city.

“You should come home,” his mother said. “They will close Zagreb.”

Thinking it might be wise to leave temporarily, Pastor Dario began packing a suitcase.

Then he sensed a clear impression: Where are you going?

“Home,” he answered aloud.

But the prompting continued: No. Stop that. Go to your office.

Unsure what he would find, he obeyed.

To his amazement, his office was intact. Even the small studio used to livestream the evangelistic meetings had not been damaged.

Soon the conference president arrived. Given the severity of the earthquake, he assumed the online meetings would need to pause.

But the technicians checked the equipment.

“We can still broadcast today,” they said.

Turning to Pastor Dario, the president asked, “Are you willing to go live?”

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation. “I must.”

That evening, as the program began, something remarkable happened. Viewership surged. Thousands who were shaken, frightened, and searching for hope tuned in.

“So many people were watching and encouraged after what we had all just experienced,” Pastor Dario later said. “It was crucial to continue. God used that tragedy to begin something new.”

From that moment, online ministry expanded dramatically. Pastor Dario and several other Adventist pastors in Croatia launched YouTube channels that continue today—reaching thousands and leading to hundreds of Bible study interests.

Recognizing this growing digital outreach, Pastor Dario now serves as Media Ministries Director of the Adriatic Union Conference in the Trans-European Division.

Although parts of the Zagreb 1 complex survived the earthquake, the historic sanctuary was damaged beyond repair and had to be demolished. Yet the church members have not stopped. They continue meeting in temporary spaces, worshiping faithfully, and sharing hope with their community as they look forward to building again.

This quarter, your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help construct a new sanctuary for the Zagreb 1 church family—a place where worship, evangelism, and outreach can flourish once more.

Thank you for helping our brothers and sisters in Croatia rebuild—not only walls, but a center of hope for their city.