Share God’s love with the friendly people of Austria: a country famous for its culture, music and arts. Its political stability and material prosperity also draw many refugees and migrants seeking hope and a better life.
Share God’s love using your skills and passions to get to know people locally. You can help immigrants with cultural integration; help build bridges between followers of Jesus and immigrants. Share God’s redemptive love using music and conversation to connect with and invest in the lives of adults and children. Use creative means to help people see that there is hope and meaning in life – there are many ways in which you, together with a network of local organizations, can enrich those living here in the heart of Europe towards an eternal future.
It is estimated that nine million people live in Austria. However, few have the opportunity to meet someone who authentically follows Jesus, and thousands have yet to hear that God loves them personally. By discipling new believers and helping them form new communities of Jesus followers where none currently exist, Austrians can grow in awareness of God’s love, both nationally and globally.
Austria is a traditionally Catholic country. Today, around 62% of the population identify as Catholic. A growing 6% adhere to Islam, while 20% attest to ‘no faith’. The Austrian Free Church movement is still young but growing, currently representing .5% of the total population. Societal changes and state recognition since 2013 bring new possibilities for seekers. Many Austrians do not expect to find meaningful answers for the big questions in life from ‘church’ and look to ‘New Age’ philosophy for meaning and inner peace.
As a Jesus follower, you can share love through relationships, in your personal testimony and how God has changed your life. You may be the first Jesus follower a local person meets. We love to see people join us with a heart for Jesus and willingness to get involved with Austria: the people, the language and both national and immigrant cultures.
Team members that are part of our “Intercultural Ministries” reach out to share God’s love with immigrants, many from a Muslim background. We want them to know they can have a personal relationship with Him, integrate into Austrian society and be involved with a local church. We want them to meet people in Austria who do not primarily see them as refugees but as friends.
Whether you come for a long, or short time, or whether you pray, or invest in lives through financial support, there are many ways for you to share God’s love with the people in Austria.
Thank You, Father, for the incredible cultural wealth, stunning scenery and diverse wildlife of Austria. Thank You that there are young people willing to go and spread the Good News in a nation where religious beliefs have become a private, hidden aspect of life. We pray that this nominally Christian country will awaken to Your truth, and that Your power will overcome that of the increasing Muslim influence.
Thank you for considering a gift to further the work of OM. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us on 1-800-899-0432.