Christians in Kosovo face challenges reaching Muslims

The United States invaded Kosovo five years ago to bring freedom to Serbia, a country in southeastern Europe along the Adriatic Sea. Today, churches there are growing — but Christians who are sharing Christ with the nation’s Muslim majority face a challenge.

Brothers Artur and Driton Krasniqi, who pastor 100-member Fellowship of the Lord’s People in Pristina, the largest Pentecostal church in Kosovo, said the changes in Kosovo are paramount.

“In the history of Kosovo there has never been such freedom as today,” Artur told Charisma magazine in the November issue. The full story on Kosovo can be found in the magazine.

Driton, who like his brother is not yet 30 years of age, added: “Under Serbian rule [until 1999], there were seven Albanian Protestant [meaning Pentecostal, charismatic or evangelical] churches in Kosovo, all suffering from ongoing persecution. Today there are some 25 churches and church plants, and there is freedom, even though it is not perfect. Then there were 150-200 believers. Now there are at least 10 times more.”

Besides being the largest Protestant church in the country, Fellowship of the Lord’s People is also the oldest one, established in 1984 as the first Protestant Albanian church in modern-day Kosovo.

Still, leaving Islam for many means breaking with family and national traditions. In many towns and most villages such a step provokes harassment and social rejection. Earlier this year, in a documentary about Kosovo Albanians, who were alleged to have changed religions, no names were given and those who claimed to be converts were filmed from behind.

In June 2002, Banush Elezi of Fellowship of the Lord’s People started House of Hope in Vushtrri, a town of 50,000, as a way to offer computer and English classes, show films and organize debates for residents.

“Lots of young people used to come,” Elezi said. “But after a handful of kids converted to Christianity the place became known as a church. Now many are afraid to come.”

Elezi adds that some continue to visit House of Hope but no longer greet him in the street.

“You don’t get beaten for being a Christian any longer, but people still slander you,” he continues. “There is a rumor in town that I pay for conversions!”

Church growth has been significant in Kosovo, but still below expectations, Driton said. “In the face of war, the religious interest peaked, but now money — or rather, the lack of money — is topmost on people’s minds,” he said.

— Charisma News Service