Kosovo. Just the name generates numerous emotions and responses, depending on the side of the country’s border in which you’re living or supporting. The majority Kosovar Albanians are rejoicing with their recent self-declaration of independence from Serbia (and the confirmation of several Western nations). At the same time, Serbs have been protesting the UN’s decision in February 2008 to grant independent status to the last province in the former Yugoslavia – a mixed country, a mixed land and a mixed people tucked away in the Balkans.

Despite the turmoil and difficulty of Kosovo’s past, OM has been ministering in the region, primarily to Kosovar Albanians in Peja and Decan, since the Balkans War in the late 1990s. In 2005, OM further bridged the cultural divide in Kosovo by being the only known missionaries to minister to 25,000 Serbs in the well-known divided city of North Mitrovica. OM Kosovo sees first hand the needs of the people there, who have endured wars, persecution and utter desperation for a better life.

Spiritually, Kosovo contains about 2 million predominantly Muslim Albanians and over 100,000 Serbs who are Orthodox Christians. The protestant-evangelical Christian church in Kosovo is very small and under pressure. OM has been instrumental in planting a church in Decan, where team members have served as pastors and ministry leaders. A training program with Albanian men from the Decan church is developing generations of Christian men to impact their people. Likewise, the team in Peja operates a new youth centre, called “Vision,” and host boys and girls clubs, as well as classes in math, English, music, arts and crafts and sports. This is allowing them to reach many children and youth.

Ministry in Kosovo and throughout the Balkans region is long term and is highly relational. Real relationships take time to form, develop, grow and mature. Centuries and centuries of oppression, abuse, mistrust of the government and the church have caused many to turn away from true Christians. OM has a long-term commitment and vision for the Balkans countries and people.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or www.al.om.org and select ‘Kosovo’