Slovenia
Brief History
Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia on June 25th, 1991. For the first time in history, the Slovene people had the opportunity to govern themselves. They are now in the challenging process of deciding who they will be as a nation and as a people. Values and beliefs are shifting rapidly. Ten years ago, nearly 90% of Slovenes claimed to be Catholic. That number has now dropped to 46%. Post-Christian Western European culture is quickly filling the ideological void created by Slovenia?s independence from the Soviet Union and the Balkan states. We have an incredible opportunity to reach the nation and its youth for Christ, but the task is a large one.
Demographic Profile
Slovenia is a country with 2 million inhabitants and is about the size of New Jersey. As a country, Slovenia is strong economically and stable politically.
Ministry Outlook
A recent survey* showed that only 1,000 people in all of Slovenia claim to be evangelical Christians. This places it among the most un-evangelized countries of the world. The Lord has given us the opportunity to be a light in some dark places. We are beginning to see winds of change blowing in.
After five years of slow toiling work, we are beginning to see a handful of Slovene youth with a passion to change their world with the love of Christ. We are able to walk alongside these leaders as we begin to train them in how to disciple.
The Lord is also opening up new doors of ministry in places like Radovljica and Kranj which haven't had an evangelical presence in over 400 years. It seems the Lord is preparing to shed His light to the nation using this next generation. The spiritual war is at hand and as we press into the darkness Satan presses back. Please pray for these new believers and leaders to be rooted deeply in Him.
*(Based on a study by the Alliance for Saturation Church Planting in 2003)
More official information about Slovenia at http://www.slovenia.info
David
& Katarina Bordner
Katarina grew up in Slovenia and began serving with JV when they first entered the country in 2001. After graduating from Multnomah Bible College in 2003, David joined the JV team in Slovenia. more...
Sebastian
& Gloria Forjan
Pioneering a new ministry in Slovenia. more...
Terry
& Lori Jackson
have been serving full-time in Slovenia with Josiah Venture since May of 2001, but they got their start in the summer of 1996 leading short-term teams from the US to the Czech Republic. more...
Brad
& Laurel Jenkins
Preparing to move to Slovenia. more...
Shauna
Kopra
has seen a glimpse of what God is doing in this country and is really touched that she gets to be a part of His Kingdom work! more...
Andrej
& Nina Lovse
Andrej and Nina have a heart for the young people of Slovenia and hope to return to their hometown of Maribor. more...
Matt
& Sharon Mormance
A deep passion to reach university students in Slovenia. more...
Josh
& Kristi Patty
have been serving with Josiah Venture since October of 2000. Prior to this, they spent 3 years in England and 7 years in Germany ministering to teens with Malachi Ministries. more...
Stephanie
Rogers
Stephanie is passionate about God’s work in young people’s lives and building up the community of believers. more...
John
& Brooke Stevens
Preparing to serve together for the next generation in Celje, Slovenia. more...
Shawn
& Cristena Werdebaugh
are very excited for their return to Slovenia and can't wait to continue investing in the many relationships that were established through the church in Ljubljana. more...
Chris
& Ashley Wick
During a trip to Slovenia a love for the Slovenes was formed, which ignited a desire to see the truth of God's Word change lives in this country. more...
Hondo
& Trisha Wynn
Hondo and Trisha Wynn first visited Slovenia in the spring of 2001 with a group from Multnomah Bible College. more...