Europe

Overview

After the civil war in Syria broke out in 2011 and displaced over 11 million residents, hundreds of thousands of refugees have poured into Greece. Many now live there illegally, confined to abysmally overcrowded camps. Greek society does not welcome competition for jobs and social benefits after a severe economic collapse in 2009. Only 0.45 percent of the population is evangelical. The Orthodox Church sees evangelical Christianity as a threat.

In Spain, only 1.35 percent of the population identifies with evangelical Christianity. Roman Catholicism used to dominate as the state religion; however, Spain has become increasingly secular. Spain’s declining religious sector has given way to immorality. It is one of the largest consumers of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana in the world. Younger generations are particularly disillusioned, rejecting ideas of absolute truth.

Albania, the only country ever to classify itself as an atheist nation in its constitution in 1967, is home to many people who identify themselves by their parents’ or grandparents’ religion in name only.

Meanwhile, Europe’s Islamic population has increased due to the large influx of Middle Eastern refugees.

How You Can Make a Difference

Indigenous ministries in Europe are taking the opportunity to share the love of Christ with the multitude of Middle Eastern refugees who have fled their countries from Islamic terrorism. The practical aid that these ministries offer has opened the hearts of many Muslims to the gospel message. Practical aid, however, is a constant need as indigenous ministries are inundated with requests for help. Your support will enable these ministries to provide vital food, medicine, and shelter in Jesus’ name to refugees in physical and spiritual need.

Ways To Give

Pastor in Spain preaching to his congregation in the main hall of their church

Evangelism & Discipleship

A fast-growing indigenous ministry in Spain has catalyzed a revival among local Spaniards, planting at least 100 evangelical house churches in the country. In response to the high number of North African and Middle Eastern refugees entering the country, the ministry created a successful outreach program, teaching the new arrivals Spanish and helping them find shelter and meeting their other basic needs. The ministry’s robust training program is equipping indigenous leaders to reach their own people in Spain and North Africa. GIVE NOW to help evangelistic and discipleship ministries like this one in Europe.

Christian woman helping to teach an Albanian girl how to write in English

Community Engagement

Recognizing that most Albanians would never set foot inside of a church, a native ministry leader opened a much-needed language and vocational training center as a platform to share the gospel. Elementary and high school students come for supplemental English and computer instruction; Christian women volunteer their time to teach sewing classes. Bible studies are offered for teenagers, men and women. GIVE NOW to help community engagement ministries like this one in Europe.

Muslim refugees in a tent with blankets in Greece

Compassion

An indigenous ministry in Greece seeks to alleviate the suffering of refugees while sharing the hope of Jesus with them. Upon arrival, weary and destitute refugees are met with food, clothing, information on their rights in Greece, and sympathetic hearts for their stories and concerns. The ministry tries to connect them with accommodations, assist them through the asylum process, connect them to government agencies, and provide them with counseling. The ministry has occasionally been referred to as a church, which has prompted people to call the ministry daily with questions about God. The ministry has shared the gospel with thousands of refugees. GIVE NOW to help compassion ministries like this one in Europe.

Exclusive Stories from the Mission Field

Europe

Help Bring Life in Christ in Greece

Praise God for refugees coming to Christ as a local ministry provides them aid that creates occasions to share the gospel. Local missionaries went to a refugee camp to pray for one family and continued visiting them after they moved into a house. The parents put their faith in Christ. “We continue the church services where we can see more people get converted and grow in Jesus,” the ministry leader said.

Read More »
Europe

Help Workers Proclaim Life in Christ in Spain

A family of five fled war-torn Ukraine, arriving in Spain frightened and without hope. Local missionaries spent time developing trust with them, and the family began coming to meetings at the ministry’s refugee center and accepted Christ. “God made a radical change in their lives; now they have peace of mind,” the ministry leader said.

Read More »
Europe

Provide Aid to Desperate Refugees in Greece

A refugee with a serious disease could not obtain critical blood transfusions because he didn’t have the legal papers that hospitals required. A local missionary found a way for him to receive Emergency Room care at a hospital, where doctors found his condition so critical that they treated him for nearly a week – enabling him to get medical documentation he needed to apply for asylum.

Read More »
Europe

Reach Refugees for Christ in Europe

Refugees from Africa, the Middle East and other areas of conflict take life-threatening risks to migrate to European countries in desperate efforts to survive. Arriving at areas where local people are increasingly hostile toward migrants, the refugees frequently find that native Christian workers are the only ones offering them aid.

Read More »
Europe

Get the Gospel to the Young and Old in Greece

With many opportunities to share the gospel with refugees, native workers also bring the hope of Christ to nationals and their children. In a 10-week summer program for teenagers, workers presented Bible lessons using videos followed by interactive games of questions and answers. “There was a lot of laughter, sharing, games, snacks and the sowing of God’s seeds in the hearts of the children,” the ministry leader said.

Read More »
Europe

Help Workers Plant Churches in Spain

In the course of starting 95 churches in Spain and elsewhere over a period of six months, native Christian workers shared the gospel with both refugees and Spaniards. Among the Spaniards was a young woman who was pregnant at 15 and whose parents were addicted to drugs and alcohol. Often beaten and abused, she was visiting her brother in prison when she met a ministry worker bringing the gospel to the inmates, and the worker invited her to a church service.

Read More »