Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
May 31: Germany
Germany
Federal Republic of Germany
Europe
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 357,042 sq kmStrategically placed in the centre of Europe and of the expanding EU.
Population: 82,056,775 Annual Growth: -0.09%
Capital: Berlin
Urbanites: 73.8%
HDI Rank: 22 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 82 (23% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: German. There are over 95 million German-speakers worldwide Languages: 69 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 52,721,478 | 64.25 | -0.9 |
| Evangelicals | 1,740,880 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
Challenges for Prayer
Much of the German population is effectively unreached. Five centuries after the Reformation finds the land of Luther a spiritual wasteland in many parts. German churches as well as increasing numbers of mission agencies attempt to spread the light and plant new churches in the areas of greatest need:a) Those in the east must first overcome three generations of imposed atheism before the Church can flourish. About 80% are effectively unevangelized, and 65% are agnostic or atheist. Eastern Germany remains, for the most part, both economically and spiritually unregenerated. But there is a solid, core group of believers standing firm for Christ.
b) Whole areas of western Germany, while superficially Christianized over a thousand years ago, have never really been evangelized. Despite the influence of the Reformation and the Pietist revival movement, many are almost devoid of a live evangelical witness – the northern plains, Bavaria and the Eifel area are examples.
c) Many cities have become extremely secular and spiritually needy. Pray especially for Berlin, where 65% have no link with a church and only 3% regularly attend. Together for Berlin is a network promoting unity and cooperation among churches.
d) The churchless towns of Germany. A significant proportion of Germany’s towns (of more than 5,000 population) do not have an evangelical church. Many new congregations have been planted by independent groups and the Free Church denominations; pray for these small congregations to have a growing impact.
Foreigners. The rising tide of immigrants, guest workers, international students and refugees since 1989 has been a challenge to German government and society. In many inner cities, migrants are the majority population. Many are illegally in the country and connected to sophisticated criminal networks. While some are vibrant Christians, most have never heard the gospel. A violent and bitter reaction against this inflow, especially in the east, causes many foreigners to resent their mishandling. Pray also for:
a) The exciting increase of diaspora churches. Among many foreign peoples – Asian, African, Latin American and European – there is great openness and rapid church growth. Pray for this window of opportunity to be seized, and for immigrant churches to, in turn, reach out cross-culturally to their hosts and neighbours.
b) The AMIN (Arbeitskreis für Migration und Integration) is a fellowship of mission groups seeking to evangelize through a wide variety of ethnic ministries. A number of local congregations also seek to reach these groups.
c) Greater involvement in outreach to immigrants by German Christians. Some congregations are notable exceptions to this, but in the main, most mission outreach is by foreign missionaries in Germany. The Church’s response to this opportunity and challenge could determine the future health and size of Christianity in Germany.
d) International students in Germany, numbering nearly 250,000, comprise the world’s third-largest total, after the USA and UK. SMD, YMCA, campus ministry groups and increasing numbers of local congregations are focusing on this strategic ministry. “Der Weg” is an easy-language, German Christian broadsheet that is effective among students learning German and among the millions of German-language students in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
e) Muslim numbers have grown – mostly through immigration and latterly through high birth rates – to 3.6 million from over 40 nations. Many of them live in ethnic ghettoes with only minimal integration into German society. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Muslims come to faith in Christ annually, but 1,000 or more ethnic Germans convert to Islam every year. There are over 2,200 mosques or prayer houses, and Islamic organizations are intensifying their activities.
f) Least-reached peoples for prayer:
i Turks, together with Kurds, number 2.5 million. More than a dozen agencies seek to reach them (including Orientdienst, WEC, OM, WV). The number of Turkish believers is rising, but so is the level of dedication to Islam among Turks in Germany. Lack of integration, joblessness, resentment and honour killings are sadly common themes, even among third-generation German Turks. There are many resources, especially on the Internet, in Turkish for believers and seekers.
ii Kurds – as many as 1 million. A group of agencies is seeking to reach them, with increasing response. Scripture, radio programmes and Christian literature in Kurdish are all being developed.
iii Iranians – 100,000, with several Christian groups and localized outreach attempts.
iv North African Arabs and Berbers – 300,000 and with little outreach.
v Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) – numbering 285,000 with little outreach.
vi Jews suffered severely in the Holocaust – 564,000 in 1925 became 27,000 in 1945. With immigration, their numbers have rapidly increased since the 1990s. They now number up to 200,000, mostly from the fSU, and perhaps 2,000 have come to faith in Messiah Jesus. Jews for Jesus and others minister to them.
For an additional 12 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
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