Missionaries in Europe
On a recent trip to Oslo I met an Ethiopian women who told me briefly of her work in Norway. She had been brought up in the Orthodox Church in Ethiopia and during the recent revival in that land had become a Pentecostal. Around 7 years ago she moved to Norway and felt called to join the State church and become a Lutheran. From this position she has engaged in personal witness to those she has met. In the last few years she believes that she has lead around 400 people to faith in Christ. Of course, as she said, “Not me, but Christ working through me.”
What are these people like? The majority are Norwegians, some with no faith, some who had taken up New Age or Buddhist beliefs. Others are Muslims from places like the Balkans, Iran and Iraq. It’s an interesting illustration of what God can do in Europe, of the growing spiritual hunger in Europe and of the challenge that comes to those of us who are Christians in Europe.
Why is this Ethiopian woman so effective in personal witnessing? Mostly because she has her own profound faith in Christ and she actually engages in witnessing – both conditions are essential. There is little value in a privatized faith, however deeply it is held. We cannot witness to others out of nothing, public witness must flow from a deeply nurtured experience of the Christ.
My friend reminds me of what I need to be reminded of again and again. Europe can be reached for Christ and we need to encourage each other in the multiple conversations and spiritual life that will assist the coming spiritual refreshment.