When the Holy Spirit is preparing hearts, and believers are obeying God’s command to go and tell, the Church on earth will continue to grow. God is presenting a new opportunity for Reach A Village to be part of that growth.
“As believers share the Gospel in Albania, Reach A Village is now ready to come alongside them and support them,” said Bob Craft, founder and president of Reach A Village. “We are already engaging with new ministry partners there. Strategic planning is taking place, and excitement is growing. There is a great need for people to know Jesus in this predominantly Muslim country.”
Albania is located in southeastern Europe near North Macedonia and Bulgaria — countries where Reach A Village’s ministry partners are already sharing the Gospel. The Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea border Albania’s western coast. Greece is to the south, and Montenegro and Kosovo are to the north. The country’s population is 3.1 million. (From CIA World Factbook)
In 1967, Albania’s government closed all mosques and churches, and religious observances were prohibited. In 1990, private religious practice was once again allowed. Today, 57 percent of the population identifies as Muslim. (From CIA World Factbook) Refugees from Ukraine are settling in Albania, which gives more opportunities for the Gospel to change more lives.
“In 2024, Reach A Village will be helping to support ministry partners and local believers as they host summer camps for children,” Craft said. “As we know from past experience in other countries, when we reach children, we are also reaching their families and neighborhoods with the Gospel.”
Soon, ministry training opportunities for local believers will expand into Albania. The first phase — to be led by Reach A Village’s ministry partners — will include 5 training modules presented to a group of 20 believers over a period of 15 months. This training is designed to prepare them for sharing the Gospel, discipling new believers, leading Bible studies and starting churches.
“We are excited to see what God is going to do with our gifts of time, talents and finances in Albania,” Craft said. “Please pray that more people will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior because of our faithfulness to God’s call.”
