Europe: the New Dark Continent
Part 2: Europe is key to impacting the world
For the most part, Europe’s spiritual condition is a picture of what Jesus described as people “scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd.” But that doesn’t mean European ideologies aren’t becoming major influences in the world, both politically and culturally.
From the French Revolution in 1789 until the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, European ideologies have impacted the entire world for both good (democracy, human rights, free market capitalism, Christian missions) and evil (atheism, secularism, Marxism, fascism, Nazism). As goes Europe, so goes the world. Europe is an economical, political, and ideological global powerhouse rivaling the United States, and with this clout comes even greater cultural influence.
The combined impact of affluence, economic growth, and a rapidly falling birthrate has made Western Europe an attraction for as many as 50 million immigrants from more impoverished lands of Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. These people see endless opportunities for improving their lives. Many come from countries where Christian witness is restricted or limited and they have frequent contact with their homelands. Therefore, Europe is key to the spread of the gospel, especially when you note that nearly 400 people groups within Europe’s countries have a minimal Christian witness at best. Many are immigrant or refugee peoples for whom specialized outreach is needed. The following are a few examples:
• Muslim ethnic groups from the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, and southeast Europe (especially Bosnians, Albanians, and Turks) make up as much as 10 percent of the population in some European cities. It is believed that because of the growth of Muslim communities through immigration and a higher birth rate, Islam has become the second religion of Europe.
• Almost seven million Gypsy minorities, especially those of the Balkan states, live in Europe. Most live in deep poverty and are treated like outcasts by society.
• The Jewish remnant that was decimated in many countries during the Holocaust and through immigration to Israel still needs to be brought to the Messiah.
• Many ethnic minorities of the Russian Federation in the Caucasus, Siberia, the Urals, and the Arctic are without a gospel witness.
Several BBFI missionaries are sharing in the opportunities opened to them because of the rise in the number of immigrants. Germany is an increasingly international land, in need of international ministries that would train missionaries to return to their homeland. The Falks in Munich have been very successful in doing just this with a new international evening service, and they are eagerly waiting to see what God will do through this new outreach.
Belgium is a beautiful region to which many Europeans travel for vacation, and yet the Bertrands have a mission opportunity that goes beyond their region as a result of the high volume of refugees attending services with the Belgians. The Bertrands are training internationals alongside Belgian nationals in their Bible institute, in the hopes these may become missionaries in their own respective countries. It is truly a mission field within a mission field! Watching the faith of the people grow and witnessing their zeal is a truly humbling experience. The biggest problem now is their vision is greater than their resources.
Dan Caldwell says one of their most exciting ministries is with Iranian refugees in Austria, an outreach started by Curt Brown prior to their arrival. This unique ministry functions much like one in a Restricted Access Nation. They must always be careful so as not to endanger their members’ families and friends who are still in Iran. They have recently seen 13 people baptized based upon their profession of faith. Dan has never seen a people more hungary for God’s Word than their Iranian friends.
More than three million immigrants are in Spain. That’s roughly seven percent of the Spanish population. Most of these immigrants are from South America or the northern countries in Africa, where people continue to climb aboard boats in an attempt to enter Spain. Recently there has been an influx of Middle Eastern refugees into southern Spain due to the unrest in Lebanon. Apparently many were given the option of being evacuated to Egypt, Syria, or Spain, and many chose Spain. What an opportunity to minister to them while they are somewhat open because of their vulnerable situation.
Europe is becoming a global force as the peoples of the 10/40 window flee to the West. This is both a great blessing and a great challenge. Potentially we can reach the Muslim world with the gospel of Jesus. Many other unreached people can be reached by ministering to their people in Europe who in turn will take the gospel to their homeland. Many of those who are fleeing their homelands have experienced the flaws of their religious system and are open to new ideas. They are prepared for God to penetrate their hearts with His Word.
Every country in Europe is experiencing this migration and this great opportunity. Every one of our missionaries will face this fact if they have not already. They need help from our churches in the form of mission trips with a purpose — evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training. Buildings need to be purchased for central meeting places and training centers. Since the opportunity exists, let us rise to the challenge by strongly supporting our missionaries in Europe and by sending more laborers to the harvest field.