Stirring the Sleeping Giant

A Guest Post by Sam Rockwell, PhD

Much has been written about the emergence of Christianity in the “Global South” (Africa, Latin America, and developing Asia), particularly the explosion of Pentecostalism. Meanwhile, beneath the American media radar and awareness of most American Christians, Central and Eastern Europe is quietly smoldering. Spirit-filled churches are experiencing a rekindling that may stoke the embers of a new European revival.

The Foursquare Church is active among this movement but we must redouble our efforts to take advantage of this strategic moment in history.

In Hungary, Croatia, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia and elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe, a rediscovery of Christian origins is occurring in churches and in the broader culture. This trend challenges the idea that Europe is characterized only by moral malaise. Growing unassumingly and often unsupported by the American church, spiritual renewal has been steadily gaining ground in the east since the collapse of communism.

For several years, in partnership with Jeff Roper, the Foursquare Area Missionary to Europe, I’ve had the privilege of working with leaders and churches in Ukraine and Russia. These congregations are characterized by energetic cultural and educational goals, including the development of media, and an appreciation of the humanities from a Christian perspective. These believers (and other East Europeans) have a deep respect for their historical and spiritual roots and this produces a rich and intelligent kind of spirituality. Their faith impacts not just the private lives of individuals, but communities, universities, and professional associations.

I was in Ukraine in May and spent an entire Saturday afternoon with about 130 young professionals. I was representing an organization called Center for Spiritual Transformation, founded by Dimity Mason, a Ukrainian pastor. This is not a “Christian” organization, but a professional development organization, designed to train and resource young Ukrainians in the areas of personal health, business entrepreneurialism, and environmental concern. By design, most of the lecturers and presenters are Christians and the spiritual impact of the seminars and relationships is indirect, but clearly evident.

I believe the recent crisis in Ukraine may serve to hasten its membership in the European Union and then it will become a major source of economic investment and hotspot for cultural and spiritual renewal among East European countries. The church there is poised to lead in the region but needs our support and partnership.

I am emotionally impacted every time I travel to Russia. Church leaders exhibit a spiritual hunger and vibrancy that is palpable and genuine. They drive for days without food and lodging to gather with fellow Foursquare pastors to be trained and instructed. They serve brand new churches that have their roots in the early-to-mid 1990s and are a new phenomenon in religious life in post-Soviet society. They differ from Pentecostal congregations founded in the Soviet era in their unique youth culture, their eagerness to organize and apply new methods of urban mission and social ministry, and their willingness to speak out on social and political issues. Because of the missionary activity of Charismatics, Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations are now collectively the largest and most actively growing Protestant movement in Russia. (East-West Church Report, Vol. 13, No.1, 2005).

My desire is that you will become sensitized to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Central and Eastern Europe. I know that if you do, next steps will unfold before you and you will find yourself participating in this quiet but significant movement.

One of the best ways to become spiritually attuned is to simply identity Central and Eastern Europeans who are already close by.

When I was pastoring a church a few years ago, we made a practice of having a prayer spoken from another language in every weekend service during worship. We identified 18 different languages in the congregation and three of them were Central and Eastern European – first generation immigrants from Croatia, Hungary, and Russia. We had no idea we had these countries represented in our church until we asked them to step forward.

They are sometimes quiet and unobtrusive and may not identity themselves, but they have much to say about their countries and about the challenges they face. Find these folks in your church or in your neighborhoods and let them know you care about what is going on in their countries. They will love you for it and educate you to the degree you let them.

Once these dear people have an opportunity to share their heart with you, you will find yourself praying, giving, and going to Central and Eastern Europe.

Sam Rockwell (PhD) has served as pastor, professor, and professional consultant to both church and business leaders in 30 countries on six continents. He is the director of Gateway Collegium, an innovative education program that combines life coaching, online courses, and leadership training events. Sam is adjunct professor at the University of Colorado (Boulder), Pepperdine University, Life Pacific College, and King’s University. He is married to De and they have four children. They live in Denver, Colorado. He can be reached at http://gatewaycollegium.com