Europe
Countries in this Region
ABWE’s ministry in Europe is divided into two regions: Western Europe and Central & Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean (CEEMed).
Western Europe
ABWE has been working in Western Europe since opening Spain in 1968. The region is composed of most of the countries west of the old Soviet Union. Western Europe is region resistant to the gospel characterized by a strong secular worldview. Vestiges of both Catholicism and Protestantism are seen throughout the history, art and architecture of the culture but are viewed as relics of a sad past. Western Europe is Post-Christian.
To overcome these barriers and penetrate the mainstream culture with the gospel, our method for reaching the region is to work with our national partners toward church multiplying movements in the region and beyond. Our international teams are engaging their local communities at various levels of need. Creative prayerful contact built around service to the community opens wonderful doors of relationships for the gospel. Youth and family centers, counseling, university ministry, English as a second language and theological education are all used by ABWE missionaries to impact Western Europe for Christ.
Our teamwork with national partners has provided multiple advantages to both groups. We offer fresh servants for the battle, giving strength and encouragement where our partners are often alone or in a small minority. We benefit from a readymade network of churches with legal status as well as cultural coaching that saves us much heartache. All this accelerates church multiplication.
Central & Eastern Europe and Mediterranean (CEEMed)
The CEEMed Region covers the territory formerly included in the Soviet Union, as well as the Mediterranean countries. ABWE entered the region in the late 1980s, just before the fall of the Iron Curtain. As the region opened, so, too, did opportunities for evangelism and partnership with the courageous believers who had endured persecution for their faith. This is a vast and diverse region, but the CEEMed team is united in its focus on church planting, leadership training, and facilitating missions movements—working alongside our national partners to further the Gospel in this part of the world and beyond.
Currently, fourteen teams serve in countries across the region. Most of these teams fall into one of three divisions:
- Central Europe: Countries in the heart of Europe which are primarily Catholic in nature.
- Eastern Europe: Countries to the east which are primarily Eastern Orthodox in nature.
- Islamic Ministries: Countries with restricted access and primarily Muslim influence.
Additionally, the Leadership Team continually develops relationships and partnerships with nationals and teaches modular courses in countries where no resident missionary team has yet been formed.
It is exciting to see the growth of the church in this region and the expanding vision for its role in carrying out the Great Commission around the world.