Welcome! We Are So Happy You’re Here!
At Love Albania, we are compelled by compassion and fuelled by love to empower the next generation through:
Spiritual Support
Top-tier Education & Childcare
Humanitarian Relief Programs
Ongoing Needs Assessments
Position Your Gift for Maximum Impact by Prayerfully Giving Today!
Hello From Our Founders
Hi, we are David and Valbona Pennoyer, the founders and leaders of Love Albania and the Durres Christian Centre Foundation est: 1996, an initiative of Global Christian Centre Ministries- GCCM.
Our commitment to addressing the needs of the underserved people of Albania—Valbona’s home country— has taken us on a remarkable journey of faith spanning over two and a half decades and counting.
From our persistent humble beginnings teaching English as a second language to a handful of youth…
To an incredible expansion into a four-story building of our own, the Albanian Life Centre and initiatives spanning from feeding programs to orphan and widow care to children's bible school and more!
To an ever-expanding vision for an even brighter future with an emphasis on children’s education and adult vocational training.
We are on a mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a lost world. Our rich history of treating everyone equally and with excellence has earned us the trust of the friendly, hardworking Albanians we serve and recognition from the Albanian government.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” - Mark 16:15 NKJV
Not Everyone Can ‘Leave,’ but We Can All ‘GO’ through Our Prayers and Giving.
All donations to Love Albania are income tax deductible.
More About Our Leadership Team
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David J. Pennoyer
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
David has been a pastor and missionary since 1973. In 1995, David went to Albania to help fulfill a need there. He discovered that the need was greater than he first thought and started a church in Durrës in 1996 with Valbona, who would become his wife in 1999.
David and Valbona ministered in Albania until they were forced to leave in 2013 because of threats on their family’s lives. To continue the work in Albania, David assembled a local leadership team and, since leaving, has been overseeing the work in Albania remotely from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where he and his family now reside.
David’s passion is to show God’s love and mercy to a hurting world so that people of all generations will know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He desires that all Christians would be used by God in signs, wonders, and miracles regularly so that Jesus can be lifted up.
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Valbona Pennoyer
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Born and raised in a Muslim family in Durrës, Albania, Valbona discovered and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in May 1995. In September 1996, in partnership with David, she co-founded the church that has since been a great blessing for the people of Durrës and around the country.
Her spiritual path led her to British Columbia, Canada, where she pursued her studies at a Bible College. Passionate about seeing Lives transformed by the power of God, and with a solid educational foundation in Business Administration and Human Resources Management, Valbona has consistently played an integral role in driving forward various church and foundation initiatives.
Today, her unwavering commitment to Jesus' work and her passion for seeing people experiencing His love and power continue to serve as guiding light as she leads the dedicated staff, ensuring the foundation remains a steadfast catalyst for positive change in countless lives.
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Rudina Metani
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rudina, a native of Durrës, Albania, is the Executive Director at the Durrës Christian Centre Foundation. Her educational accomplishments include a Bachelor's degree in English Language and a Master of Science in Managing and Supervising Educational Institutions.
She has been a dedicated member of Durrës Christian Center since 1998, actively volunteering and ministering within the church, readily assisting wherever there was a need for help. Her initial introduction to the church was driven by a desire to learn English when the church offered free language classes to interested individuals. From 2009 to 2013, Rudina took on the leadership role in the Children's Ministry, working alongside a team of young girls from the church.
Since 2014, she has been an integral part of the church's Leadership team and continues to serve as a valuable member of the Worship Team. Over the years, Rudina has witnessed the remarkable work of God within the church, both through them and with them, serving as an instrument for His kingdom.
Rudina deeply aspires for God to use her as a channel through which many may come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
Our Staff
We are grateful to do this work alongside a team of hard-working, dedicated staff that we are proud to call our Team and prefer to call our Family.
“I’m so thankful for your staff's commitment to genuinely care for our children.”
- Program Participant
The Love Albania Difference
Through Love Albania, you have an incredible opportunity for your prayers and giving to meet the genuine needs of the most vulnerable and advance the Greatest Mission on earth.
We understand it's hard to know who to trust.
Our proven track record of financial integrity and our commitment to keeping administrative costs low means that no less than 90% of your gift will go directly to helping someone in need.