Country Profile

  Kosovo / Kosova

OM Ministry Flourishes in Independent Kosovo and Throughout Balkans Region

Kosovo | Europe Communications

Kosovar Albanian childrenKosovo.  Just the name generates numerous emotions and responses, depending on the side of the country’s border in which you’re living or supporting. The majority Kosovar Albanians are rejoicing with their recent self-declaration of independence from Serbia (and the confirmation of several Western nations). At the same time, Serbs have been protesting the UN’s decision in February to grant independent status to the last province in the former Yugoslavia – a mixed country, a mixed land and a mixed people tucked away in the Balkans.

Despite the turmoil and difficulty of Kosovo’s past, OM has been ministering in the region, primarily to Kosovar Albanians in Peja and Decan, since the Balkans War in the late 1990s. In 2005, OM further bridged the cultural divide in Kosovo by being the only known missionaries to minister to 25,000 Serbs in the well-known divided city of North Mitrovica.  In recent days, violence has flared in Mitrovica with Serb protesters occupying a UN-controlled courthouse and forcing UN police to withdraw from the city. NATO peacekeepers are now the only law enforcement agency in North Mitrovica.

OM Kosovo sees first hand the needs of the people there, who have endured wars, persecution and utter desperation for a better life.

Spiritually, Kosovo contains about 2 million predominantly Muslim Albanians and over 100,000 Serbs who are Orthodox Christians. The protestant-evangelical Christian church in Kosovo is very small and under pressure.  OM has been instrumental in planting a church in Decan, where team members have served as pastors and ministry leaders.  A training program with Albanian men from the Decan church is developing generations of Christian men to impact their people.  Likewise, children’s clubs and youth Bible studies for Albanians have reaped much fruit over the years.

New Team in Montenegro

Even before Kosovo declared its’ independence, the OM Balkans field started a new ministry in Montenegro, another former Yugoslavia state that broke from Serbia a year earlier. Montenegrans cling to their religious roots with 2/3 of its nearly 700,000 population claiming ties to the Eastern Orthodox Religion.  The Evangelical Church consists of less than 100 believers.  Podgorica, the capital city, has two churches and there are two other church plant efforts in the North and South of the Montenegro.  

The first permanent OM team moved into the coastal city of Bar in October 2007 and have been learning the language, establishing relationships within the community, and seeking out ministry opportunities, including youth ministry and discipleship. They hope to eventually plant a church through home group Bible Studies.  Currently, the team is finalizing negotiations with a café owner to be used as a youth centre. Please pray for the finalization of these plans and negotiations.

Long-term Commitment

Ministry in Kosovo, Montenegro and throughout the Balkans region is long term and is highly relational.  Real relationships take time to form, develop, grow and mature.  Centuries and centuries of oppression, abuse, mistrust of the government and the church have caused many to turn away from true Christians.   OM has a long-term commitment and vision for the Balkans countries and people.

The first team started in Albania in 1992 and currently ministers in Durres, Lushnje and Gramsh. And in Greece, OM has ministry teams in Volos, Larissa and Athens.  OM Balkans, formerly known as OM Albania, covers ministry teams in Albania, Kosovo, Greece, and Montenegro. More team members, especially men, are needed to reach men in this male-dominated society. OM Balkans welcomes families and singles to join their ever-growing fields.  For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for Kosovo or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for Montenegro.

Please pray for more people to join the Balkans teams; pray for unity amongst the Albanian believers in Kosovo; pray for the Lord to open more doors to reach the Serbs living in Kosovo, as well as open door for ministry for the new team in Montenegro. Pray specifically for peace and stability in this new, independent province, especially in light of Russia’s strong and vocal opposition to Kosovo’s independence. Pray urgently that there will be no further violence in North Mitrovica, as this could trigger major disturbances throughout the city and possibly the rest of Kosovo.

Credit: Europe Communications email
© 2008 OM International email

Photos Kosovo

Kosovo :: OM worker Klara and friends model hats made by a Kosovar woman - a successful micro-business venture that has helped this family become more economically stable. The family also makes jams for local markets.
Kosovo :: Making jams to sell is a successful venture for one poor Kosovar family,who have been trained in micro-business by OM Kosovo.
Kosovo :: Chris, an OMer based near Kosovo shares about the dangers of drugs with school children. With 70% of the population under 30-years-old and unemployment rates at 40%, conditions are ripe for drug taking.
Kosovo :: One of the OMers in Kosovo had the privilege to teach on inner beauty that comes from God while some local girls listened.
Kosovo :: One of the multiple street performances that the rock band No Longer Music preformed in Kosovo this summer. The OM team was blown away by the boldness of the band and great response to follow the torch thereafter!
Kosovo :: A few members of the TACO team in Turkey blessed the local OM team with their skills and talents as they toured around a few cities in Kosovo.
Kosovo :: OM Kosovo partners with a newly established church that runs a preschool. While their staff were on furlough, two OMers helped teach these little ones about a God who loves them!
Kosovo :: A large portion of OMs ministry in Kosovo revolves around youth. However, more men are needed to help lead our groups!
Kosovo :: Despite the rain, village children flock around the literature table that the OM Kosovo team had set up. May the Living Water rain down on the seeds that were planted in their hearts that day!
Kosovo :: Nothing can stop the OM Kosovo team talk about the love of God - not even a bit of snow! Braving the cold to pass out Christian literature in a village.

           

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