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A Society of UnbelieversBy Dana Vannoy How do we as believers reach a whole society of people who just do not believe? Currently spending my second AIM (Associate in Missions) term in the Czech Republic, I find myself daily asking and being asked this overwhelming question. Here in Prague, we are still desperately searching for the answer. As an American, I have enjoyed the privilege of being a part of a Christian nation. Yes, I know that many like to debate whether America can still be considered as such. To those, I would only suggest living for six months in any European country of their choice. I promise they will return to the United States with a new viewpoint. Here,
in Europe, you are dealing with a completely different mindset, then that of the
United States. In America, nine out
of ten people you stop on the street will tell you they believe in God. In Prague, nine out of ten people will tell you they do not
believe in God. In America, people
live in sin, and they know it. Here,
people do not know what sin is. They
enjoy a society where there is no right or wrong.
In America, there is a church on almost every other corner.
Here, the search for a church that is more than a historical building
will take a while. And often when
you do find one, it will be a church for English speakers only.
Many churches do not even make an effort to reach Czech people.
Both a Mormon and a Jehovah Witness have witnessed to me on the street
since I have been here. Both were
from English churches. They find
their time is better spent reaching foreigners than the Czechs. They were both Americans that came to Prague to witness to
other Americans. That says a great
deal, I think. Because of the more Christian mindset at home, it is a constant struggle to understand the Czech mentality. They are bitter people who have lived through painful decades of darkness. They do not want to believe in a God who they think was not there for them during the darkest hours of their history. They are educated and intellectual people. They do not want to believe in a God in whom they see no scientific evidence to prove His existence. It is their bitterness and their pride that will not let them take that leap of faith needed for a relationship with God. Many of them have very little religious understanding. Some time ago, my Czech class (all Americans) was discussing Easter. And my Czech teacher shocked us all by not understanding why we went to church on Easter Sunday. Here, most churches close their doors on Easter Sunday, due to festivities. Easter is a major holiday that they celebrate only as being the beginning of spring. It is not considered a religious holiday at all, and has nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we asked our teacher why, he said because they were not a Christian nation, and they did not believe in Jesus, or that He rose from the dead. Though he was kind, we all understood that he thought we were crazy for being believers. It
is so discouraging to live in a city that is under this dark cloud of atheism.
We desperately want to flood the lives of these people with the glorious
light of Jesus Christ. And so
again, we come to the question that we here in Prague find ourselves asking each
other every day. How does one reach
this society of wonderful people whose hearts are closed and full of unbelief?
If you have a suggestion, or a thought, or even a personal experience,
please do not hesitate to share it with us.
This is a major spiritual battle for our church, and we are open to any
new strategies or tactics. Our
church is consistently praying against the oppression of this spirit, and for
God to send a revival that would shake every foundation and stronghold of
unbelief in this country. Please, I
beseech you, please pray for the Czech people that their blinded eyes would be
opened to the truth, so they would be set free.
Please do not underestimate the power of your prayer!
Thank you so much for every prayer! ninetyandnine.com ©
2002, Dana Vannoy --------- Dana Vannoy is on the AIM (Associates in Missions) program with the United Pentecostal Church International.
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