The gospel first came to Albania through the missionary endeavors of the apostle Paul (Romans 15:19) and there is evidence of spiritual life up until the middle of the second century A.D. From that time forth Albania experienced spiritual darkness, with no evangelical witness, no believers or churches up until the end of the 19 th century. Then, just as Albanian nationalism was rising, God called a young Albanian man, Gjerazim Qeriazi, who was passionate about preaching to his countrymen and he established a church in Korça. His labours and those of many others were blessed and the work prospered up until the second world war when all missionaries were obliged to leave. Then, after the war, Albania was plunged into 45 years of the most ruthless form of communism ever known in Europe. The dictator, Enver Hoxha, ruthlessly suppressed all forms of religion and in 1967 Albania was declared the world’s first atheistic state. When communism finally collapsed in 1991-2, Albania became open to the gospel. New churches were planted from the missionaries. Today these first churches are ready to plant daughter churches. One of these is the Lushnje church which is trying to sponsor a church plant in the second largest city of Albania, Durres. Being an ancient Greek colony and famous city, it may have possibly even entertained the presence of the Apostle Paul who admits to have brought the gospel even as far as Illyria (which includes Durres). It is exciting to be able to plant a church in just such a city after so many centuries.

2. Our goal for Albania

Our vision is to see second-generation churches planted, in all those parts of Albania within which we currently work, by the year 2012.

To accomplish that vision we are —

3. The Spiritual strength of partnership

A growing paradigm in the world of missions is the sharing of resources in a new and broader multi-international way. It is evident that some countries have more financial resources and less human resources while many emerging countries have the inverse. Albania is certainly in the later camp. They have growing national churches, mission vision, evangelistic zeal, but lack sufficient financial resources to enable them. Through carefully planned 5-year partnerships it is possible to combine resources from all over the world to see new churches planted and believers discipled. A church plant needs many kinds of resources:

4. Key objectives of the project.

5. Financial Issues

6. General overview of the responsibilities of the Partners.

A general overview of the 5-year Church plant