WHY ALBANIA? Although not part of the Soviet Union, this small Balkan country was ruled by a Marxist-Leninist style communist government from 1946 to 1992.
Albania has a rich Christian history (see Illyricum – Romans 15:19 & Timothy 4:10). Beginning around 1479, and through different periods ending in 1912, Albania was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Although Christians revolted against the Empire in 1481, Albania came completely under Ottoman rule by 1488. Resistance would continue for over 45 years and give rise to their national hero, Skanderbeg – otherwise known as Defender of Christians. However, due to enduring Ottoman influences, Albania succumbed to Islam and became a Muslim country. Additionally, from 1945 to 1990, Albania’s government forced a system of communism based on the policies of Marxist-Leninism and Mao Zedong. In 1967, the Communist Party banned any religious activity in the country, rendering all religion unlawful. After the fall of communism, a strong patriotic nature emerged, and most Albanians are nationalists first and foremost.
Today, the majority of Albanians consider themselves culturally Muslim. They hold to Muslim cultural mores and traditions, but the majority do not attend a mosque or practice daily prayer. Therefore, unlike other Islamic countries, Albania is open to the message of the Gospel and Christianity can be practiced freely. This aspect of Albanian society means that they are largely open to spiritual ideas, making the relationships we have formed both meaningful and fruitful. Albanians are highly social and it is not uncommon to meet for coffee several times a day. Additionally, due to U.S. military assistance during the Kosovo conflict of the late ’90s, Albanians are very welcoming towards Americans.
SON’s Work in Albania
English Bible Camps
SON Partners: SON Full-Time Residential Missionaries, Dan & Dawn Hall and Alpha Omega Church (Pr.Ermal & Sarah Lushi).
Where we work: The Diber region(rural mountain villages near the North Macedonia border).
What we do:
- EnglishBibleCamps&Life Camps for teens (view opportunities above)
- Raise scholarship funds for K-12 Christian education in theU.S.
Partnering with Alpha Omega Church, SON takes short term teams each summer to co-lead English Bible Camps in the mountain village of Peshkopi. Albanian Pastor Ermal Lushi and his American wife, Sarah lead this small congregation and are the only Christian church within a 2-hour driving radius. Because of their first-hand experience in working with the Muslim culture, SON creates a curriculum specific to this context. Alpha Omega truly understands the outreach opportunity that SON English Bible Camps provide. After the teams return to the U.S. they host numerous reunion activities for the students; including interactions specific to Christmas and Easter messages where students are encouraged to invite their families. This has been very successful, resulting in a steady number of baptisms and an increase in church life.
SON Global Workers - Denis & Ela Shallari
Denis & Ela Shallari are a young ministry couple living and serving in their native land of Albania (modern day Illyicum).
After having served alongside (now) retired SON missionaries, Dan & Dawn Hall, in the Dibër region of North-Central Albania, Denis & Ela felt called to expand their reach and recently formed a new non-governmental organization in Albania – AIAFA – Albanians In Action For Christ – for work in the more populated, Southern-region of Lushnjë where they will live and serve amongst the people as Christians. One of the many aspects of their new ministry will be to come alongside the Roma people. This is a much needed outreach as the Roma population is significantly marginalized all over this part of the world.
You can support the Shallari’s in their AIFA ministry directly through the SON Give page: