WHY SLOVAKIA? After Slovakia regained its independence, the mass secularization caused by the communist agenda left the Lutheran Church in ruins and Christianity near extinction.

After World War II, the Soviet Union took control of Slovakia (which was then still a part of Czechoslovakia) and placed it under the Soviet communist regime from 1948 – 1990. It was considered the primary industrial center for the Soviet Union, and communism is remembered as a very dark and painful time for its people. This included the persecution, imprisonment, and murder of Christians. After Slovakia regained its independence, the mass secularization caused by the communist agenda left the Lutheran Church in ruins and Christianity near extinction.

However, as in all former communist countries where SON serves, a small remnant of the Church persisted. It is with these faithful servants of God with which we are privileged to work, and we are honored to partner with several Lutheran congregations to bring English Bible Camps and Life and Adventure Teen Camps to students throughout this beautiful country.

View Opportunities

Country Snapshot

Area: (about one and a half times the size of Maryland; about twice the size of New Hampshire) total: 49,035 sq km (18,933 sq miles), land: 48,105 sq km (18,573 sq miles), water: 930 sq km (359 sq miles)

Population: 5,436,066 (July 2021 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.08% (2021 est.)

Capital City: Bratislava

Independence Day: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)

Ethnic Groups: Slovak 80.7%, Hungarian 8.5%, Roma 2%, other and unspecified 8.8% (2011 est.)

Languages: Slovak (official) 78.6%, Hungarian 9.4%, Roma 2.3%, Ruthenian 1%, other or unspecified 8.8% (2011 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: total population: 78.07 years / male: 74.56 years / female: 81.82 years (2021 est.)

Religious Groups:
Roman Catholic 62%
Protestant 8.2%
Greek Catholic 3.8%
other or unspecified 12.5%
none 13.4% (2011 est.)

SON’s Work in Slovakia

Language Camps & Conferences

SON Partners: Miro Mudrak – SEM, Pr. Slavomir Slavik, EVS, leadership members from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Slovakia

Where we work: Vranov nad Topľou, Batizovce, Ružomberok, Šipková

What we do: English Bible Camps & Life Camps for teens (view opportunities above) Discipleship Education Conferences for pastors and church leaders

Slovak Evangelistic Center (EVS)

Slovak Evangelistic Center (EVS)- Under the direction of Slavomir Slavik, EVS serves closely with the Lutheran Church but remains an independent organization in order that they can maintain their firm conservative, evangelical foundation in an environment that is increasingly political and intent on re-writing scripture to serve its own purposes.

Fellowship of Lutheran Youth (SEM)

Fellowship of Lutheran Youth (SEM)- This dynamic group is active all over Slovakia; organizing both small youth groups and large events. SON Teams have participated in numerous summer events in which several thousand Slovak youth gather at SEM Festivals to worship, pray, and sing to the Glory of God.