Contact: Micah Metz, 765-671-7249

MARION, Ind., June 29, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Imagine that the name of Jesus Christ is completely unfamiliar. Imagine that when you do hear it, the only context you hear it in is from the mouths of foreigners. Imagine that religion of any kind is forbidden. Imagine that all churches are closed and all religious observances prohibited. Now you have a good idea of Albanian culture before communism fell in that country.

Nathan and Cydil Waggoner are World Gospel Mission missionaries to Albania, where WGM partners with Planters Seed Foundation. They stated:

"Albania was so isolated, even God was not allowed. This June marks 25 years since it was legal to proclaim the name of Jesus in Albania again! It is a milestone that is being celebrated widely by churches across the country with special services in public squares.

"In 1991, communism fell and the borders were opened. Our colleagues with Planters Seed Foundation all came to faith during those first years of the gospel coming to Albania. The knowledge of God was so limited that Genti, who now is the pastor of our church in Vlashaj, assumed that Jesus Christ was a celebrity from New York since he kept hearing about Him from Americans. Genti was also a part of the inaugural class at his Bible school. He shared that the hunger for truth was so large that the classes for Bible school were full even though many didn't know why they were there. The year started with a week of chapel services, and many of his classmates became Christians after enrolling in Bible school!"

Today, 70 percent of Albanians are Muslim and less than 1 percent are evangelical Christian. Although it feels like an uphill battle, there are many things that God is working in and through in Albania. Ministries through WGM Albania include community health and development, children and youth, church, and education. Learn how you can get involved and help spread the love of Christ in Albania at www.wgm.org/albania.

About World Gospel Mission
World Gospel Mission disciples believers to become missions-active Christians. As an interdenominational missions organization, WGM partners with individuals, small groups, college groups, and churches to intentionally address the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and communities. Learn more at www.wgm.org.