Make a difference in Bosnia

  /files/Where are we/Bosnia/bosnia flag.gif   /files/Where are we/Bosnia/Bosnia map.gif

Introducing Bosnia

Bosnia sits on the cultural divide between east and West, has a population that is divided /files/Where are we/Bosnia/Novi Trajnik.jpgbetween Bosnian, Croat and Serb, and was consequently very much caught in the middle in the war in the 1990’s. It is estimated that 250,000 people were killed in the fighting and “ethnic cleansing” that took place.  This has left deep scars, all the more because this took place among communities that had previously lived together and even intermarried.  The divisions persist.

Recovery for Bosnia is still a long way off.  Bosnia was Europe’s second poorest nation before the war, but now it ranks as the lowest. Rebuilding has hardly begun.

Geography:
(Operation World 2001)
Area 51,000 sq.km.
Population just under 4 million.
Peoples Slav 88%; Other 12%.

Capital: Sarajevo
Population:485,855.

Language: Bosnian

Website:
Bosnia-Tourism

Spiritual Climate

Spiritually, Bosnian allegiance to Islam came about as a result of 500 years of Turkish occupation, which means that evangelical witness is small. Prior to 1991 there were only 2 or 3 known congregations in Sarajevo. Since then, this has grown to 29 (2000), some in places where the worst atrocities had taken place, and with about 700 people attending services. These infant fellowships are by no means strong, but they are evidence that there is no place so dark that God's love cannot shine there.

Religion:

(Operation World 2001)
Muslim            60%    

Orthodox         18%

Catholic           17%

Non-Religious   5%

Protestant        0.07% 

 

Bible Schools

Mostar Bible School

National Organization:
The Evangelical alliance is not active in Bosnia.


ECM in Bosnia

/files/Where are we/Bosnia/Radovan Blazenka.jpgCurrently there is one couple who works in a town in the north of the country. Their church building is strategically placed to reach out to both the Croat and Muslim communities, giving them unique opportunities for evangelism and for communicating the true message of reconciliation. They have seen several people come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a result. They also have a concern to reach children from both communities with the gospel and have been praying for help in that area.

 

 

Ministry Opportunities                          Updated August 2007

Long term

As the country continues to transition from war to peace, it is imperative that those who feel a calling from God for this type of work make themselves known. Workers of every stripe are needed. It would be a great bonus to already speak Bosnian, however it is initially not required.

 

Contact

Please send us an email with your name, country of  origin, and interest to
ecm.int@ecmi.org. Be sure to include Bosnia on the subject line.

Prayer                                                     Updated August 2007

  • For wisdom of political leadership in providing for a workable peace, a just settlement, and a viable future for the nation.
  • For the very small, but growing evangelical witness in the country.
  • Pray for more workers for Bosnia – both internal and internationals.
  • Pray that God would allow the unreached to be reached – of whatever religious persuasion.
  • Praise for open doors achieved through the ongoing radio ministry in the afternoon broadcasts in nearby towns, and especially for the new materials now available.
  • Praise for the very open situation w regards to witnessing
  • Praise for the ongoing distribution of New Testaments
  • Pray that believers will continue to witness even as several have moved to other towns.
  • Pray for believers who are currently ill and hospitalized, and their family members: that a right spirit would be upon them.
  • Pray for fruit from the August evangelistic concert: that the Word of God would continue to work on and convict those who came, and that they would really understand the Gospel and give their lives fully to the Lord.
  • Pray for all the churches in Bosnia to be passionate for spreading of the Good News and for better connections between them. Pray for greater fear of the Lord in all Bosnian believers.                                      

For many additional prayer points, click on these links:

Operation World – Bosnia

24-7 Prayer