Sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has long been the traditional passageway between Europe and Asia. The small nation has been conquered by the Romans, Greeks, Huns, Bulgars, Ottomans, Romanians, and Soviets, leading Moldova to be extremely diverse and its citizens able to speak several languages.Moldova also boasts the world’s richest and most fertile soil, which supports vast wheat fields, vineyards, and orchards. The irony is that even though Moldova has so many natural and human resources, it is the poorest nation in Europe; 72% of its people live below the poverty line, 60-80% of its adult population is unemployed, and thousands of people leave annually seeking work throughout Europe, leaving children to be raised in single family homes or with their elderly grandparents.

Roughly 70% of the 4.6 million Moldovan’s are Eastern Orthodox Christians. However, most are nominal Christians who base their religious affiliation solely on their infant baptism. Yet, due to poverty and years of Soviet atheistic indoctrination, Moldavians yearn for a deeper meaning in life, are desperately looking for hope and thus are open to hearing Christ’s life-generating and hope-filled gospel.

Though a mere 3% of the population are evangelical Christians, they are zealous, dynamic and eagerly sharing their faith. Bible colleges are training leaders, churches are instituting youth programs and church planters are resolute in their goal to establish healthy churches in the 800 villages that currently have no gospel witness. God has prepared His people with energy, vision, skills and the geographic location to spread His love, hope, peace and life to people who desperately are seeking it in Moldova and to those in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Please urge Him in prayer to release the power of the Holy Spirit within the Moldavian Church and that those who hear His gospel will respond in faith and subsequently unite with His people to build His kingdom for His glory.