Macedonia

Challenges for Prayer

Macedonia’s ethnic composition dominates its political and social existence, where segregation is more prevalent than harmony. The large (and growing) Albanian minority feel more connected with their own kind in Albania and Kosovo than with the other ethnicities of Macedonia. Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia also have agendas for Macedonia. Economic difficulties cause significant emigration and urban pull; many of the 2,000 villages are dwindling or disappearing altogether. Pray for wisdom for the government, and pray that the divided communities might find ways to build their nation together.

Media and literature are important ministries in Macedonia.

a) The Bible Society oversees the distribution of two new Macedonian translations of the Bible – one translation by a partnership of SGA, IVP and a local translation team, the other a collaboration between Orthodox and Protestants. The Gideons are the largest distributors of Scripture, giving out many NTs. The Bible League distributes Bibles and other literature, and conducts seminars for local churches.

b) A Christian Cultural Centre in Skopje includes a Christian bookstore (SGA), although only a few books have been translated into Macedonian. Pray for more Christian material to be developed and distributed in Macedonian, especially material chosen or written by Macedonian believers – PI and Exodus(IFES) have a vision for this. Revelation Bookshop has published 40 titles in Macedonian.

c) Broadcasting. TWR Serbia broadcasts 30 minutes/week in Macedonian and Smile/Evangelical Church Negotina broadcasts locally. There is a great need for good Christian radio and TV programmes and broadcasting in Macedonian and Albanian.

d) The JESUS film has been widely viewed on television and film. It is available in Albanian, Macedonian, Romani and Turkish.

     For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.