Albania & Kosovo
Words of Hope is building the church in Albania & Kosovo by giving those curious about Christianity a safer way to explore the faith.
Albania is a hard place. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Albania was ruled by a Communist regime for many years. Under this regime, no religion was allowed to exist within the country. This meant that all religious activities, including listening to gospel broadcasts, were strictly forbidden. Thankfully, when the communist regime lost power in the 1990s, the religious ban was also lifted, and legal provisions were made for religious freedom. 62% of the population now identifies as Muslim and 30% as Christian. The Albanian church is growing, and indigenous Christian leadership is impacting communities with the gospel.
Albania has a long way to go to recover completely from the devastating impact of atheistic Communism, but today, thanks to Words of Hope’s supporters, Albanians can listen freely to Christian radio broadcasts. With additional media tools ranging from print devotionals to smartphone apps, Words of Hope is bringing the good news of Jesus into the hearts and homes of Albanians.
“‘The Truth I Hold’ is a meaningful program with powerful content that uprises the hearts of the viewers. Through the testimonies you can see God’s hand and work throughout the years. It is an inspiration to seek and experience God in daily life.
Languages
Albanian
Pastor and current Words of Hope Albania broadcaster Albert Dosti first heard the gospel in the 1980s on Words of Hope’s Albanian radio broadcasts. At that time, Albania’s Marxist regime made atheism mandatory. Listening to gospel broadcasts was explicitly forbidden. However, Albert was so attracted to the gospel that, despite the risks, he jeopardized his freedom to continue listening. Today that hard-line government is no longer in power, and Albanians can freely listen to several Christian FM radio stations that feature daily broadcasts from Words of Hope’s Albanian programs.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for increased production of printed devotionals.
- Pray for the ministry to Kosovo, including a second transmitter to extend coverage to the entire country.
- Pray for listeners who face persecution because of their faith. Pray for volunteers to help with follow-up.
Stories from Albania
In Their Own Words
You are equipping Albanian Christians for devotional ministry in their own context. A Young Church Just over 30 years ago, religion was illegal in the country of Albania. In fact,
Saying Yes to Jesus
Rev. Nancy Boote penned the words, “Here I am,” in her journal early one morning during her devotional time. “I journaled those words in a prayer,” she says, “expressing my
Reflections from a Translator
Even as Albanians begin to write original devotional content, translating North American devotionals and editing them to fit the Albanian context will continue to be an ongoing need. Fabian fulfills
Growing in the Word
Read: Colossians 3:12-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in
Hope for Albanian Prisons
Prison chaplains in Albania are seeing lives change as they share translated copies of the Words of Hope daily devotional. Daily Devotions Near + Far Words of Hope is well
Caring for Afghan Refugees
In August of last year, the Albanian government agreed to take in thousands of refugees from Afghanistan, locating many of them indefinitely inside a compound near Words of Hope’s offices.
The Truth I Hold
Several years ago, Words of Hope Albania began a new radio program project called, “The Truth I Hold.” The goal of the project was to record 365 testimonies from Albanian
Aid for Afghan Refugees
“Providing food, clothes, shoes. People in North America are helping Words of Hope Albania amplify our efforts and bring a helping hand to these hurting people,” says Erion Prendi. Erion
Daily Radio in Albania
Nora and her husband live in Korca, Albania—a plateau surrounded by the Moravian mountains. In Korca, they manage a traditional goat farm. Herds of goats in Albania are a source