|
Written by Dan Nelson
|
|
Tuesday, 26 September 2006 |
|
SEND International - Croatia assists Scripture Union Croatia, a national run organization, in developing a year-round camping ministry. Our desire and the desire of the camp ministry is to expose children, young people, and families to a biblical world-view and to the message of the gospel, and provide a place where they can spend time away from daily life in order to hear and obey the truth of God’s word.
According to a missionary currently serving in Croatia, Croatia experienced a rise in
spiritual openness during and shortly after the war in the '90s, when
regular church attendance was said to be as high as 15 to 17 percent.
But interest in church and God is now on the decline. In general, the
"hunger" for God is all but gone, and people are looking for something
or someone else to meet their deepest needs. A desire for security and
prosperity drives the nation to look toward the West and to
materialism, but in that pursuit many have become disenchanted and
overcome with a sense of hopelessness. Although many know of God, their
religion is one of tradition and culture instead of a personal
relationship with Christ. Yet the young people of Croatia are searching
for answers. We desire to bring the love and hope
of Jesus Christ to the people of this beautiful country, to share with
them that life isn’t about a religion, but about an intimate relationship
with Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
|