In a world constantly buzzing with notifications, what if real connection began the moment you put your phone away?

Maribor is Slovenia’s second largest city. As in any city, the people live busy lives. But beneath the surface, many are longing for something more.

That longing is what brought Pastor Daniel to this city. Though he grew up in Australia, he’s connected to this region of Europe through his family’s background.

“At 24 years old, I felt God calling me into ministry,” Daniel said.

Daniel’s journey led him across borders, from Serbia to Bosnia, where he met his wife, and now to Slovenia. Along the way, he wrestled with a question: How do you share faith in a way that feels real?

“I was trying to think, how can I share my faith with people… and I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t have the typical skills that might exist in the Adventist church,” he said.

“And so I asked God, what can I do? And then He kind of pointed me to, what do you love to do? And I say, well, I love board games.”

That simple answer started a unique and unexpected ministry, unlike typical church programs. Daniel started an open board game night.

“We created a board game club where we just got to know people… no religious pressure, Bible verses, or prayer. It’s just genuinely getting to know one another,” Daniel said.

People came. Soon, the tables were full.

“Our first event was completely, fully booked. We had to reject people. I was like, wow, this is incredible.”

When Daniel brought this idea to Maribor, he noticed something else.

“There is a problem here with too much telephone use. There is a problem with depression. There is a problem with this lack of real genuine connections,” he said.

At the door, guests are invited to do something uncommon: put their phones into a box.

“When you pull out your phone and you’re on it, you’re no longer engaged with the person across from you,” Daniel said. “But after about 30 minutes, people completely detach from that need… and they actually build these relationships.”

That idea resonates for Val, one of the regular attendees.

“I think we are currently chronically online… It’s good that from time to time we take some time off and just relax our brain,” Val said. “Board games are designed for people to connect, to enjoy, to relax, and to feel loved.”

Strangers become friends. Conversations stretch late into the night. And people are surprised.

“Wow, I didn’t know I could be five hours without my telephone and have a really great time,” Daniel said.

There’s no pressure here. Just an emphasis on the people around them.

“My goal is to build those relationships, and through those relationships to show Christ’s love and His kindness,” Daniel said.

This isn’t just about board games. This is creativity in mission: seeing a need for connection and responding with a God-inspired solution.

This is an example of Jesus’ method of ministry. He met people in everyday spaces. And through genuine relationships, He revealed His love.

Here in Maribor, that same approach is creating space for friendship and faith to grow.