September 2005
Western Europe. There are more than 350 million peo¬
ple in Western Europe. Fewer than 1 percent of the indig¬
enous peoples are Christian. Even where Christianity is
present, often there is no strong evangelical fervor. More
than 40 million refugees and immigrants have already
come into Western Europe out of North Africa, the Mid¬
dle East, and Asia — from countries that are predomi¬
nantly Muslim. They come seeking a new life and free¬
dom. Some also are zealous to spread their faith across
the continent. During the next few decades, a number of
large European cities will likely become majority Muslim.
Islam already is the fastest-growing religion in Europe.
Even though immigration is bringing Islam to Western
Europe, it also is leading numerous unreached peoples to
a region where Christians still can openly share the gos¬
pel. Oftentimes, immigrants and refugees are leaving
countries where they would most likely never get to hear
about Jesus. The task of evangelizing the nationals and
immigrants of Western Europe will not be easy, but this is
the challenge to which God is calling us. Your church
may partner with IMB missionaries as they respond to
this "God-sized" challenge. Find out how by visiting
http://telIeurope.org.
They are darkened in their understanding and separated
from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in
them due to the hardening of their hearts (Eph. 4:18, NIV).
WESTERN EUROPE. When mission fields are mentioned,.
Western Europe is often the last place people think
about. However, Western Europe is home to many spiritual
strongholds. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul writes, "For though
we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty
in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down argu¬
ments and every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to
the obedience of Christ." Please pray that the strongholds
of Satan will be demolished as Western Europeans come to
know the truth of Jesus Christ.
MALDIVE ISLANDS (South Asia). A visitor to the Mal-
dive Islands shared, "It was really weird to me to be in a
country where it is against the law to be a Christian. There
weren't any signs of anything Christian. There wasn't a sin¬
gle church or anyone wearing a cross. There were no Bibles,
if you can imagine." In spite of the absence of man-made
evidence of God's presence in the islands, you can be sure
that He is there. He is working there. His people are there.
His Holy Spirit is making Him known even as you read
this. Do not doubt it. Praise Him! Pray that His people
would be encouraged to continue following Him in faith.
JEWS OF MOSCOW, RUSSIA AND BEYOND. This fall,
workers would like to teach English classes and seminars
on Jewish culture and history as a way to build relationships
with members of the Jewish community, many of whom
know very little about their Jewish traditions and history.
"We have two Americans who are willing to teach, and now
we need students, a place to teach the classes and teaching
materials. Please pray that God would provide us with
everything that we need to make these classes a reality. And
please pray that God would bring along students who are
seeking after God and not just English."
MOROCCAN ARABS OF MOROCCO (muh-RAH-kan). A
Moroccan young man has asked to meet with an expatri¬
ate Christian friend one hour per week. So much can hap¬
pen in just one hour: Bible verses can be quoted (or read)
and discussed, real or felt needs can be expressed and ad¬
dressed from a biblical perspective, heartfelt prayer can be
offered up and answered. Pray for all of these to happen on
a regular basis and for this "open" young man to make the
Lord his Lord.
WESTERN EUROPE. The regional leader of Western Eu¬
rope gave this description of the spiritual state of West¬
ern Europe. "I have been surprised by the pervasive spiri¬
tual darkness in Western Europe. I have been to places in
Asia, where the spiritual oppression was so intense you
could almost reach out and touch it — places like India,
Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, North Korea, Japan and the
predominantly Muslim communities of the Philippines. Of
all the places I have visited and worked, nowhere is the
spiritual darkness any greater than what I have seen here
in Western Europe. The one difference here in Western
Europe is that the spiritual oppression is much more subtle
and disguised. In some ways, it is more dangerous and dif¬
ficult to engage." Please intercede for representatives serv¬
ing in Western Europe as they battle this spiritual darkness.
Petition for the Light to shine in these nations.
RAJASTHANI MUSLIMS OF INDIA (RAH-jah-stahn-ee).
Oh yes, Jesus is Lord! Praise Him as you continue to pray
for the translation work going on so that Rajasthani Mus¬
lims might know Jesus Christ. Pray also for the printing of
