Eric Reece
It is a long way from Robbinsville, N.C., to Tirana, Albania.
The Rev. Ethan Ramsey – youth pastor of Robbinsville First Baptist Church – found this out firsthand, as he recently traveled to Albania on a mission with Eternal Truth Ministries.
The purpose of the mission was to meet with pastors of the Evangelical Church of Albania, to offer fellowship, support and discipleship training.
Ethan followed the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, who wrote, “So that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:19b).
Albania is part of the ancient area of Illyricum.
Located on southeastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, Albania has been intermittently ruled by Greece, Rome, the Ottomans, Italy, Germany and the Soviet Union – before the fall of communism, when the country became a constitutional republic.
Before Albania was under Ottoman rule, the country was divided: with the Northern part being Roman Catholic and the Southern being Orthodox. It was a country where the struggle between Rome and Constantinople was a reality.
Once under rule of the Ottoman Empire, the majority had to convert to Islam to participate in society. Freed from Ottoman rule, a monarchy ruled until World War II. After the war, communism took over and outlawed religious practices. With the fall of communism in 1992, religious freedom for all faiths was restored.
Currently, the country is approximately 59 percent Muslim and 38 percent Christian.
During the missionary movements of the 19th century, British and American missionaries came and translated the Bible into the Albanian language. A few protestant churches were born and grew. With communism, the country was declared an atheist nation, churches were closed and the Bible was outlawed.
When communism collapsed, there were less than 20 evangelical believers in the whole nation. With the new religious freedom – and the Holy Spirit – the church began to grow. In the last 30 years, over 200 Evangelical churches of different denominations were born with over 12,000 believers.
They work together under the Evangelical Alliance of Albania.
Ethan met with pastors of the alliance for a conference. He offered Eternal Truth’s services of discipleship training, to help share the Gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ. A partnership was created and six Albanian pastors are receiving discipleship training.
Remember, the evangelical community in Albania has only been around for 30 years. They have a new generation hearing the Gospel afresh. They have a solid foundation, but need all the help they can receive to continue serving and growing in the Lord.
Ramsey made friendships, enjoyed the food, coffee and participated in worship. The Evangelical Church in Albania worship is similar to many in the United States, with a praise band, lyrics on the screen and preaching. The people were very welcoming and eager to hear God’s word.
Ramsey hopes to return and continue the discipleship training. Keep him and the people of Albania in your prayers.
To support Ramsey – and help the Christians in Albania – visit etmnc.org, for more details.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.