Slovenia, 0,1% of Evangelicals
"If we want to see Europe transformed by the Gospel, we have to start where we are, in our local environment with our local people."
Lidija and I both grew up in the Balkans, in predominantly Roman Catholic countries, where most people consider religion to be a private thing. In that context, we both experienced the transforming power of the Gospel and, out of gratitude, wanted to share the Gospel with other people. When you experience the beauty of the Gospel, you cannot keep silent!
Ten years ago, we moved to Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, where we took over the leadership of a newly founded church and started student work with IFES Slovenia. The Slovenian Evangelical community is very small (0,1%) and there is a severe shortage of national workers. In the past, we all expected that more missionaries would come to Slovenia and that mostly foreign missionary organizations would invest in spreading the Gospel in Slovenia.
However, that way of thinking has changed. We realize that missionary work is not something that is done outside our borders or the responsibility of foreign missionaries, but the privilege and responsibility of us locals. Because of this shift, we saw an opportunity to start building a network with local leaders and churches where we think and pray together about how to raise a new generation of national Gospel workers who will be trained in their local context through the apprenticeship program.
If we want to see Europe transformed by the Gospel, we have to start where we are, in our local environment with our local people.
- Bostjan and Lidija Cifer, ECMers serving in Slovenia
Archive > 2024
November
October
- 10/30/2024 10/30/24, 1:07 PM - Why I Pray for Europe
- 10/23/2024 10/23/24, 12:59 PM - Slovenia, 0,1% of Evangelicals
- 10/16/2024 10/16/24, 12:14 PM - Why is Europe Important?
- 10/9/2024 10/9/24, 11:53 AM - More than Brick and Mortar
- 10/1/2024 10/1/24, 12:29 PM - 'In Europe everything will be fine'
September
- 9/25/2024 9/25/24, 1:25 PM - Learning the Language
- 9/20/2024 9/20/24, 11:45 AM - Fruits from Our Labour
- 9/16/2024 9/16/24, 1:03 PM - Starting the Missionary Journey
- 9/10/2024 9/10/24, 11:55 AM - One Month in Greece
- 9/4/2024 9/4/24, 1:42 PM - Creating Memories
August
- 8/26/2024 8/26/24, 11:16 AM - Believing and Belonging
- 8/13/2024 8/13/24, 10:30 AM - God was at work at the Paris Olympics!
July
- 7/23/2024 7/23/24, 12:01 PM - 110 campers heard the gospel this month!
- 7/23/2024 7/23/24, 10:17 AM - Romanian ECMers make the New Testament accessible in their own native language
- 7/17/2024 7/17/24, 12:42 PM - Planting Refuge and Hope
- 7/5/2024 7/5/24, 12:34 PM - The Blessings of Summer Camp
June
- 6/20/2024 6/20/24, 2:03 PM - Talking about Jesus (without being THAT guy)
- 6/3/2024 6/3/24, 8:12 PM - Jesus in a Jazz Club
May
- 5/21/2024 5/21/24, 10:13 AM - Living out multiplication today!
- 5/16/2024 5/16/24, 10:32 AM - A place of rest... and salvation
April
- 4/16/2024 4/16/24, 9:22 AM - ECM's ministry continues to grow
- 4/12/2024 4/12/24, 7:16 PM - Ukraine: training and caring for volunteers
- 4/9/2024 4/9/24, 10:30 AM - Can a church multiply quickly in the UK?
- 4/2/2024 4/2/24, 9:32 AM - Multiplying young leaders in Slovenia
March
- 3/29/2024 3/29/24, 10:20 AM - On this solemn day...
- 3/5/2024 3/5/24, 2:48 PM - Come help us reach Muslims in Berlin!
February
- 2/28/2024 2/28/24, 10:00 AM - Portuguese university students being transformed by the gospel
- 2/20/2024 2/20/24, 10:43 AM - Why Europe?
- 2/6/2024 2/6/24, 2:58 PM - Multipliable Mission Teams