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GEOGRAPHY

Area 49,035 sq.km. Central European state once the eastern 40% of Czechoslovakia.

Capital Bratislava 452,053. Urbanites 57%.

PEOPLES

Slavic 80.7%. Slovak 4,256,000; Czech 59,000; Ruthenian 16,000; Ukrainian 16,000.

Other 19.3%. Hungarian 571,000; Roma (Gypsy) 453,000.

Literacy 96%. Official Language Slovak. All Languages 9. Languages with Scripture 5Bi 1NT 1por 1 w.i.p.

ECONOMY

The transition from Communism to market capitalism has not been easy for Slovakia. High dependence on archaic heavy industry, and a ragged privatization scheme exacerbated the economic problems. Strong economic growth in the 1990s was not enough to lower the unemployment rate of 14%. HDI 0.813; 42^nd/174. Public debt 23% of GDP. Income/person $3,410 (12% of USA).

POLITICS

Part of Czechoslovakia until Slovakia's separation from the Czech Republic in 1993. Multiparty republic, currently led by a broad coalition government that replaced the former nationalistic ex-Communist leadership in 1998. The primary political concern in Slovakia is admittance into the EU, a goal that has become more realistic as the government addresses the significant infrastructure problems.

RELIGION

The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government respects this in practice.

Missionaries from Slovakia
P,I,A 7 in 3 agencies ; Slovakia 6.

Missionaries to Slovakia
P,I,A 131 in 29 agencies from 12 countries: USA 96, UK 9, Germany 7.

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Challenges for Prayer

1 Slovakia, as a nation, needs a sense of direction after the years of foreign rule, Communist economics and the 'velvet divorce' from the Czech Republic. Pray that as the economy picks up and becomes more linked with the EU, materialism and falling moral standards may not dull the present search for meaning and reality evident in many.

2 Slovakia has a strong Christian heritage, but the Catholic and mainline Protestant churches (Lutheran and Reformed) are more traditional and the majority of congregations are declining in numbers and attendance. The Lutheran Church holds an annual youth conference which draws a considerable number of young people. Pray against a spirit of passivity and even cynicism and pray for a revelation of God's glory so that many become enthused for the Kingdom in these denominations.

3 Evangelical denominations are few and small. They suffer from a minority complex. Some congregations are growing but others are merely in survival mode. There needs to be a clear understanding and experience of the gospel within each congregation so that its truths are communicated to listeners hardened by centuries of Church history. Pray for a clear expounding of God's Word that results in obedience to His authority among young and old alike.

4 Vision for the future is still limited. The Alliance of Evangelical Churches is promoting a vision for church planting. There are at present about 250 evangelical congregations in the country, but for every community to have a congregation there would need to be nearly 6,000 churches planted. Pray that such a vision might be adopted and implemented in an effective church planting programme.

5 Training for leaders and believers alike is essential. The Slovak Evangelical Alliance is sponsoring a church planters' training programme to educate and train laity – nearly 100 have finished this course already. There is a good Bible School attached to the university in Banska Bystrica for preparing pastors, evangelists, Christian teachers for schools, etc. Pray that many godly leaders may be formed through this programme, and bring the good news to Slovakia and beyond.

6 There is much room for growth in missions – both sending and receiving. There are several agencies with missionaries in the country (Churches of Christ 19; CCCI 14; ABWE 12, LCMS 7, GEM 4), but more workers and trainers are needed. OM conducts Love Europe campaigns on a short-term basis. The Apostolic Church has formed the first Slovak foreign missions sending body. Pray that the mission agencies and local churches would cooperate to the best effect, working together with joy and humility. Ask the Lord to burden Slovaks with a desire for world evangelization.

7 Less reached peoples:

a) Hungarians make up more than 10% of the population. There have been tensions between Slovaks and Hungarians over the issue of minority rights and language use. Pray for fair and just solutions. Most Hungarians are Catholic, but with some Reformed congregations and a few evangelical groups. Pray that Hungarian Christians may be mobilized to reach their kin in Slovakia.

b) The Roma (Gypsies) have a very different culture and worldview. They are often disliked and mistrusted. Attempts have been made to help them but they are suspicious and resistant to change. Pray for understanding as to how to help them most effectively and for love that will overcome the barriers and stereotypes that hinder spiritual ministry. There are some ministries committed to reach them.

8 Special ministries:

a) Youth work is an exciting area and many youth congresses and prayer meetings occur yearly. SIET is a network of national youth organizations with an excellent track record for cooperation between denominations. Pray against the attacks of the evil one to bring disunity. Pray that God may raise up a new generation of holy, faith-filled believers through these movements.

b) The JESUS film is completed for every language in Slovakia, except for some of the Roma dialects. Pray for wisdom and fruitfulness for the CCCI teams showing the film across the country.

c) Christian literature. Only recently has specifically Slovak evangelical literature been published – most books being in Czech. Pray for wisdom in selection of book titles and the best language in which to publish.

d) Radio. TWR has a broadcast centre in Bratislava, and transmits 7.5 hrs/wk in Slovak, 7 hrs/wk in Hungarian, as well as in English and Czech. The lack of gospel radio in Roma languages needs to be addressed.

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