The blessings of partnership in Albania

We are looking for churches to join us as partners in Albania for the next three to five years. A long-term partnership will lead to greater stability and reward for both you and the field.

First, you will work with the same people year after year. You will see their growth and progress in the ministry over the course of time. You will see the big picture of the field and its realities.

You will have a greater burden to pray for Albanians day after day because you'll have a continuing relationship with them. You will like the stability of being connected with the same place and people each year. Time after time we hear mission teams express joy that they are doing something that makes an impact over time rather than a flash in the pan event for one week.

Albanians also appreciate that too. They have seen far too many groups come and try to conquer the world in a week, when actually they really needed friends who were committed to caring for them over the long haul. Albanians appreciate sincerity and friendship far more than enthusiasm and flashy projects. Your missionary to Albania also values sincerity and friendship far more than high-powered events that are done today and forgotten by them tomorrow.

We must be strategic in investing in what sticks! In everything we do, we must ask questions such as "What impact is this going to leave on these people one year from now? Five years from now? Is this going to make me feel good more than it is going to help them? Am I teaching them how to do something they can do when I am gone or am I doing something for them? Am I working with them or merely for the accomplishment of the task?"

Please pray about your role in Albania. Our work has shown great success in the last 15 years, but so much more needs to be done. In so many ways, our work is still just getting started. Even with the growth of the church from zero to 10,000 believers since the fall of communism, 99.7% of our people still do not know the Lord. That means you have to meet 300 people to find one who is born again. That is a lot of lostness! We've got miles and miles to go before we can say, "Mission Accomplished!"

Until that time we will have plenty to do to bring the other 299 to Christ. Will you join us as we work to bring them all to Christ?