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Mediterranean Region
Capital: Various
Border Countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt |
Ninety-five percent of the 232 million people in the Mediterranean Region are Muslim. Most North African countries have few national believers. For example, 250 believers live in one country of 10 million. Islam is either openly acknowledged or upheld as the state
religion by the regional governments. Islam is a way of life that governs not only the individual's personal religious duties, but also shapes culture and politics. Backlashes against centuries
of "Christian" crusades and Western colonialism have served to further entrench Islam into the cultural and national identity. However, growing disillusionment over economic and social problems is producing a religious-secular divide. On one hand, many young people are spiritually apathetic. Dreams of wealth and material pursuits overwhelm traditional religious values. On the other hand, a resistance to progressive reforms of the governments indicates a personal and political trend toward more conservative expressions of Islam.
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Despite these obstacles, a small national church movement is growing in the region. While believers still face significant intimidation and harassment from the police, employers, families, and extremists, governments are displaying more tolerance toward
Muslim-background believers. The Church is growing more quickly in these countries than at any time in recent history. Modernization, globalization, and foreign travel allows for more exposure to the Gospel within the region's countries.
In an effort to encourage tourism and other forms of economic development, many countries in this region display a new openness to the West. Greater Europe Mission is looking for pioneers to explore ministry in North Africa, to intern for brief periods of time, and to coordinate outreach and training ministries.
- Pray for evangelical church growth to multiply and for the best strategies to promote witnessing fellowships throughout North Africa and the Mediterranean Region.
- Praise God for the small but growing national church movements. Pray for believers' ability to stand firm and grow in their faith. Pray for boldness and wisdom in their witness.
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