Europe can be considered one of the most unreached continents in the world with less than 3% claiming to be followers of Jesus. When we say ‘unreached’ what we mean is that there are not enough churches for a person to walk into that speak their language. More alarming is the rarity in finding a church that is Gospel centered and who affirms the core tenants of the Christian faith. This July, Citylight is sending a team to go and serve with our global partners Jon & Rachael in partnership with the C&MA Envision team. Jon & Rachael have been in Eastern Europe for over a year serving with Greater Europe Mission (GEM) and share with our church why going to Europe is necessary.
Europe is Critical
Europe is a trendsetter for the world. Where Europe goes the world follows behind by as much as 10 years. If gospel movements ignited in Europe, a trickle-down effect could happen to the rest of the world. Currently, many people from other places in the world come to Europe, whether fleeing from war or oppression or for better opportunities. Most are from closed countries. A closed country means that it is more difficult to get the gospel into that country. When a person or ministry team shares about the hope in Jesus to people in Europe, they are not just sharing to traditional Europeans but to a variety of people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
Why Berlin?
One reason this city has been identified as a place to go is because of it being an international hub. Different people, groups and languages are all huddled in one place. In the neighborhood where we live, there are 16 unreached people groups alone. Our home borders between two districts where about 43% on one side and 56% on the other are migrant and non-German. And if you go to the eastern side of Berlin, Christianity makes up less than 1% of the population. Across the street from us is a mosque. Behind us is a Reiki center and we are surrounded by foreigners. For every ten people in Berlin, you would have one Muslim, one Hindu/Buddhist/Jew, two Catholic/Lutheran, and six secularists or atheists. Secularism is a broad term for people who don’t identify with any organized religion. Many, however, do practice a new age belief or mysticism.
Another reason is that Berlin is considered the atheist capital of the world. After World War 2, Berlin was not a city that was well cared for or developed. After the wall came down, Berlin began to serve as this artistic hub where cultural movers and shakers started flocking to bringing with them unique ideas. Along with that, Berlin is considered the LGBTQ+ capital of Europe.
The past few years, Berlin has experienced a refugee crisis. People have been pouring into the city because of the affordable housing and a major European train hub is in the heart of the city. With all this influx and proximity, the people of Berlin are ready. There is a stirring and tension within the people and around the city. We pray for the movement of the Gospel to touch all these communities to then spread throughout Europe and to the world.
Searching for Meaning
In Berlin there is spiritual activity but not Jesus oriented. Europeans, and especially in Berlin, don’t lack belief but lack belief in God. They get involved with social activism and protests for climate change or environmental protection. It’s an outlet for people to feel like they are part of something bigger or change. However, it’s hope in humanity, and often in a political system. America is on a fast track towards this. When a people group strips their belief systems from life, the result is an emptiness, hurt, and often lack of trust as each pursues their own meaning. As a result, we have found that Berlin, though full of people and diversity, can be a very isolating city.
There is also an artistic layer in Berlin as it is in the top ten cities in the world for creatives to come and collaborate with one another and to share work. One can look around and see all this expression. People are looking for meaning. Whether that’s through art, people are picking out things here and there as if it were a spiritual buffet. People look to fill a void with whatever and Berlin has a lot of options. But it is very clear that all these options fall flat. Recently, someone interviewed people on the street of Berlin and recorded it. They asked, ‘what is the meaning of life?’ and most people answered, ‘I don’t know.’ Or they would answer with ‘my kids’ or they didn’t have an answer at all.
It’s about people who don’t know Jesus or don’t know what life looks like with him here and now. No hope of eternity with him beyond this life. We are desperate that they know Jesus. We want to help people long for meaning and find it in the hope and good news of Jesus Christ. To understand what it means to be a part of His Kingdom and to experience the wholeness that His active reign brings in us and around us.
Would you consider being part of sending our global partners? To actively pray for them and even support them and our teams that are going this summer to Berlin? Visit https://citylightomaha.org/global/send (Global Partners) or email luke@citylightomaha.org for more information.
Also, join our Global Prayer Feed with all our global partners’ up-to-date prayer requests texted directly to you the last week of each month! This is a simple tool to stay updated on how to pray and celebrate with our global partners and what Jesus is doing across the globe.