Albanian Flag

Nestled between “the Orient” and “the West,” Albania is a small country heavily influenced by the Muslim “Ottomans” of Turkey, Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Communist Russia and China. In recent years there is a dominant viewpoint of Atheism, brought on by the nearly 50 years of Communist influence, and also attributed to the spiritual climate in Western Europe. The country has long before been calculated to be 70% Muslim, 20% Eastern (Greek) Orthodox, and 10% Roman Catholic, but with no percentage yet attributed to the Atheists. The Atheism of the country is set in a Muslim cultural backdrop. From what I have understood from my few readings and communications, the mind is Muslim, and the heart is Atheist. Or, “cultural” Muslims (like the “cultural Christians”) who some may have a degree of knowledge but don’t join it with a heart-believe in their Faith, and many are not clear about their practices, beliefs, and holidays (and to be fair, there are some who have no confusion and are very devout in their religion). Whatever the general consensus, there will be much less confusion due to an increase of young Albanian Muslim missionaries/ministers who are devotedly studying in many conservative Muslim nations and universities abroad, for example in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The Wesleyan Church is restarting a ministry in Albania which had to be suspended due to political change resulting in anarchy/political stress in 1997. Then there were no missionaries to replace those who came home to the states in 2003 until the spring of 2005. Three missionaries with their families have represented the Wesleyan Church in Missions on Albanian soil for the past 5 months. In contrast to the smaller Wesleyan team, the Baptists have many personnel in a strong ministry presence, the Nazarenes have a presence in Albanian cities as well. Many missionary groups of different denominations* (groups of Protestants, not the Catholic Church) are religiously over-stimulating the Albanians who before knew their three groupings, which resulted from occupations from previous nations. Perhaps a question in the Albanian mind is how will these new groups negatively affect our small country? This may be as the perspective of a small country which has been so resilient to change, even though it has been sought after by larger neighboring countries to control and expand their influence. The cults are confusing Albanians, most prominent of them are the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, because they masquerade as evangelicals are currently involved in missionary endeavors, and shaping the Albanian understanding of us. (It is sometimes hard enough for Christians to properly reflect Christ, and the confused non-Christians are already seemingly skeptical).

They are perhaps overwhelmed by all the new and different brands of religious groups, and often claim in a neutral sentiment “there is one God, stating a true fact while ending the conversation (much to the American version of “you do what’s right for you, and I’ll do what I think is right.”)

The Evangelicals in Albania are less than 3 % of the total population, officially making Albania an “un-reached” people group. Two more missionary families, The Aukerman’s and the Coulter’s, are anticipated to join the Helvie’s, the Bishop’s, and Allan Stevens in the nation of Albania in this year, as our team gains language ability and engages in evangelistic ministry. This ministry is heavily focused at first in the challenge of becoming skilled in the use of the Albanian language, and the cultural understanding that comes with it. In the next year, transition into applied language usage in a ministry setting is anticipated, as missionaries will be able to communicate more effectively with their friends and acquaintances as they are invited to learn and follow the Gospel Message. Words used to describe relationships and ministries ongoing or anticipated are as follows: Witnessing, faithful acts of loving-kindness, Church-plants, Bible-study, Sports outreaches, Orphanage, Day care, Preschool, English tutoring, Youth Camps, Mentoring leaders, and “Discipleship groups.”