about Slovenia

Just a few minutes ago I posted a note stating that I will be spending my summer serving God in Slovenija.  So I decided it would probably be a good idea to let you know about Slovenija.  Here are some facts about the country:

Brief History

Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia on June 25th, 1991. For the first time in history, the Slovene people had the opportunity to govern themselves. They are now in the challenging process of deciding who they will be as a nation and as a people. Values and beliefs are shifting rapidly. Ten years ago, nearly 90% of Slovenes claimed to be Catholic. That number has now dropped to 46%. Post-Christian Western European culture is quickly filling the ideological void created by Slovenija's independence from the Soviet Union and the Balkan states. We have an incredible opportunity to reach the nation and its youth for Christ, but the task is a large one.

Demographic Profile

Slovenia is a country with 2 million inhabitants and is about the size of New Jersey. As a country, Slovenia is strong economically and stable politically. The capital of city of Slovenija is Ljubljana. 

Ministry Outlook

A recent survey* showed that only 1,000 people in all of Slovenia claim to be evangelical Christians. This places it among the most un-evangelized countries of the world. The Lord has given us the opportunity to be a light in some dark places. We are beginning to see winds of change blowing in.

After five years of slow toiling work, we are beginning to see a handful of Slovene youth with a passion to change their world with the love of Christ. We are able to walk alongside these leaders as we begin to train them in how to disciple.

The Lord is also opening up new doors of ministry in places like Radovljica and Kranj which haven't had an evangelical presence in over 400 years. It seems the Lord is preparing to shed His light to the nation using this next generation. The spiritual war is at hand and as we press into the darkness Satan presses back. Please pray for these new believers and leaders to be rooted deeply in Him.

*(Based on a study by the Alliance for Saturation Church Planting in 2003)

More official information about Slovenia at http://www.slovenia.info

sLOVEnija

This summer I have the awesome opportunity to serve as a summer intern in the Eastern European country of Slovenija.  As a summer intern, I will be helping lead evangelistic camps for Eastern European youth.  I will be responsible for teaching conversational English, building relationships with students, following up with those students, and facilitating a variety of training activities related to youth ministry.

I will serve on a team of four to eight interns under the leadership of an experienced JV staff member.  Prior to the start of camps, we will undergo a week of intensive training in Eastern Europe.  At the end of the summer we will debrief with a time of testimonies and reflection.

This is going to be a challenging and rewarding experience.  

Challenges:

This will be the longest missions trip I have been on u p to this point in time.

I have never had to raise this much money before for a trip.

Rewards:

Seeing God's hand work in the lives of the Slovene youth.

Experience a new way of life.

Strengthen my dependence on God.

I am so excited to see how God is going to work this summer.  Please keep me in your prayers.