CEE Story From The Mission Field
Kosovo Needs True Freedom
February 20, 2008
Sunday marked a new beginning for the people of Kosovo as they heralded themselves an independent nation with fireworks and waving banners. This proclamation, which Fox News called “brash and historic,” creates tension throughout parts of Europe, as Serbia alleges the move illegal and Russia seeks U.N. support in rejecting Kosovo’s claims.
While Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci called Kosovo “proud, independent and free,” standing “among the free nations of the world,” the emerging country has not yet found true freedom—it has not even started dreaming of such a thing.
Islam is considered the dominant religion, though for most it is a cultural tradition instead of a true faith. However, with national identity being so important, especially in these times, this tradition blinds them to the truth of Christ
“Foreigners are suspect (of) trying to force people to change religion, which is a threat to their identity,” said Susan*, a Southern Baptist (S.B.) missionary living and working in Kosovo. “They are taught that to change religions is wrong and the person who does is not to be trusted.”
The idea that Christianity is a foreigner’s religion is reinforced by the fact that Serbia, Kosovo’s long-time ruler, is a “Christian” nation, since it holds Orthodoxy as its state religion. However, hope exists.
“In both cities in which our teams live, we disciple believers in churches that we helped start in 2000,” said Nancy*, another S.B. missionary in Kosovo.
Nancy also meets monthly with Muslim women and shares with them from the Bible. Her group has grown from four to 87 people during the past three years.
S.B. work in Kosovo began with humanitarian relief in 1999, immediately following the war with Serbia. Volunteers built houses, distributed food boxes and delivered Christmas packages. Baptists quickly earned a reputation for being generous because of their work in both Albania and Kosovo.
Today the ministry looks quite different. Since Muslim traditions often result in laws that prevent an international religious presence in the country, S.B. workers have established a non-government organization (NGO) that works in a variety of areas, mostly with education and small business development. These activities allow missionaries to form relationships with Kosovars that open doors to their hearts.
“Game night, movie night, clubs and coffee night are a few ways we spend time with students who are seeking for spiritual truth,” Nancy said. “We also have semester teacher volunteers and summer volunteers who teach and hang out with the students.”
Volunteers are a vital part of the ministry in Kosovo. From delivering firewood, to teaching leadership development in the classroom, to distance mentoring through the Internet, the harvest filed requires people who are willing to invest in this new country.
“Our need now is perhaps greater than ever before,” Susan said. “We now have an open door with the directors and students with whom we work, but need more personnel to meet the demand.”
Kosovo needs short-term volunteers and praying churches, as well as long-term workers who want to commit to serve for a minimum of one year.
If you are interested in being a part of what is happening in Kosovo as this new nation emerges, please see the available International Mission Board volunteer trips and short-term assignments.
*Names have been changed for security purposes