AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Macedonia - Europe

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Aug 18: Macedonia

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Aug 18: Macedonia

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Macedonia

Republic of Macedonia

Europe

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 25,713 sq km
Landlocked state surrounded by Serbia/Kosovo, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania.
Population: 2,043,360    Annual Growth: 0.08%
Capital: Skopje
Urbanites: 67.9%
HDI Rank: 72 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 25 (24% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Macedonian, one of the southern Slavic languages    Languages: 10 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	1,338,401	65.50	0.1
Evangelicals	4,270	0.2	3.2

Challenges for Prayer

The ethnic minorities are numerous, and all are in need of ministry.
a) Albanians represent 25% of Macedonia’s population, and their numbers are rapidly increasing through birth rates and immigration. Greater tensions between Albanians – with their demands for increasing political influence – and the majority of Macedonians seem inevitable, but neither group desires the upheaval suffered in neighbouring Kosovo. Almost all Macedonian Albanians are unevangelized Muslims, but there is an openness to loving witness. Thus far, there are no groups of Christians from a Macedonian Albanian background.
b) The Romani population is chronically poor, oppressed, uneducated, unemployed and captive to a blend of Islam and folk superstitions. Sutka, near Skopje, is home to many of Macedonia’s 80,000 Romani and is one of the largest Romani communities in the world. YWAM, Pioneers, the Methodists, Pentecostals and Baptists are all seeing fruit among the Romani.
c) The Turkish community lives mainly in eastern Macedonia. There are a handful of believers, but no evangelical church among them. A few groups are now engaged in outreach to them.
Foreign missions find Macedonia to be one of Europe’s neediest lands, responsive yet difficult. Worldshare, IMB, Pioneers, Frontiers, AoG, CMA, the Nazarenes and Partners International actively conduct ministry alongside indigenous ministry organizations. Pray also for the ministry of Exodus/IFES; many new converts are young people.
     For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Macedonia.