One has only to read national news headlines to see that the culture across the 44 countries that comprise Europe is rapidly changing from a culture that was once shaped by a strong Christian faith and worldview to one in which most Europeans see Christianity as being out of touch and backward thinking.
Europe is fast becoming a secular, materialistic post-Christian society where more than 98 percent of the people do not follow Jesus.
Europe’s 810 million residents are from every country in the world, many unreached. They are fleeing their home countries because of civil war, fear of terrorist attack, financial crises and attacks from other countries. The war in Ukraine alone has brought nearly 8 million refugees to Europe. The face of Europe is changing, but change can bring openness to the Gospel.
As God brings unreached people groups to Europe, ministry opportunities are created. This includes planting new churches, conducting street evangelism, training new leaders and new pastors, discipling new believers, initiating student ministries, engaging global cities and reaching out to refugees. These ministries are largely funded through the Cooperative Program.
One ministry that is effectively reaching Ukrainian refugees is called Send Relief. Send Relief is the Southern Baptist compassion ministry that is a joint effort between the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board (IMB) that is focused on providing practical and spiritual aid to those in need. Send Relief is working through a vast network of IMB missionaries, field partners and local churches to care for Ukrainian refugees across Eastern Europe.
IMB missionaries and local partners will continue to provide relief when the war in Ukraine is over. Millions scattered across Europe are homeless and jobless and need practical help and the hope of Jesus. The task seems insurmountable by human standards, but with God, nothing is impossible—and He is at work.
More than 1,000 people have responded to the Gospel through Send Relief’s efforts related to the war in Ukraine with more being added daily. And Southern Baptists continue to give generously through the Cooperative Program to help make these efforts successful.
Pray Christians would be salt and light across Europe and that Europeans would return to their rich Christian heritage. Pray lives would be forever changed as people trust Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Because of the generous giving of Oklahoma Baptists through the Cooperative Program, an amazing array of ministries are supported. This unified giving encourages fellowship with other believers all over the world. Collectively, Oklahoma Baptists are advancing the Gospel together.
European Peoples are featured in the 2023 Missionary Prayer Guide for Oklahoma Baptists. For more information about the Cooperative Program, visit oklahomabaptists.org/cp.
