God is at Work in the Balkans
Host: Joy
Welcome to God’s Church, the podcast that takes you to the spiritual hotspots around the world where God is transforming lives and building His Kingdom. Joining me in the studio today are Ron and Charis Pierce. Welcome, guys!
Ron & Charis:
Hi, Joy!
Joy:
So, I know that you have recently traveled — it’s been a while — and that you have some things to tell us. Where have you been?
Ron:
I was in the Balkans, that area between Europe and Asia. Specifically, we were serving in Albania. Today, I want to talk about the move of God in that area — an area where, for a long time, the Gospel was practically nonexistent. Now, all of a sudden, life is coming into it, and people are wondering where this is happening.
Geographically, it’s north of Athens, Greece, on the Mediterranean, across from Italy, and includes countries like Kosovo, Serbia, and Albania. There were wars in the 1990s, a lot of bloodshed and infighting. That’s the area. We started going in a few years ago, and now, the growth is incredible.
Joy:
Let’s start with Serbia. What did you experience there?
Ron:
We work with a group there called the Roma, or as they call themselves, the Gypsies. In North America, we say Roma or Romani, but over there, they embrace the term Gypsy. In fact, the main church we help is called the Gypsy Church. It’s even on a big sign!
We’ve been assisting them with Scripture, aid in winter, and support for church growth. The Roma people work in market gardening and other small jobs, traveling in the summer to earn money for winter. That means in summer, church attendance is low, but in winter, churches are packed 24⁄7!
Joy:
So, there’s poverty in Serbia, but within the Roma community, it’s extreme?
Ron:
Exactly. The general standard of living in the Balkans is low. In the countryside, a family might make about $500 per month; in cities like Belgrade, it could be $1,000. It’s livable but difficult. Many Roma families struggle to afford food, and during COVID, it was even worse. We provided aid, Bibles, and even a van to help them reach remote areas.
Joy:
What does a Roma church look like?
Ron:
I visited one village where the church met in a small, rundown building — about 12 by 12 feet, with another attached room about 8 by 10 feet. Inside were wooden seats and a wood stove. That was it. I asked, “How many people gather here?” They said, “Sixty.” I was stunned! I said, “You fit 60 people in here?” They explained that they stand, sit, and even listen from outside through open doors and windows. In winter, people rotate in and out to stay warm.
I asked if there was a bigger place to rent, but options were limited. The best they could afford was an $80-per-month rental near a bar, which caused trouble. So, they make do.
Joy:
That’s incredible dedication. What about growth?
Ron:
I asked one of the leaders, “How many churches could you start if you had the manpower and resources?” He said, “Within 20 minutes of here, we could start 20 churches overnight.”
Joy:
That reminds me of the verse: The harvest is ripe…
Ron:
Exactly! The problem isn’t willingness — it’s resources. They lack trained pastors, and Bible schools aren’t available to them. Many must work full-time while also trying to lead churches. But they’re eager. They do creative ministry — bringing pizza to villages, hosting worship nights, and running youth camps. At these camps, I saw kids on their knees, hands raised, weeping in prayer. Many had never left their town before, and this experience changed them.
Joy:
Wow. Let’s shift to Albania. What’s happening there?
Ron:
Albania is right next to Serbia — about a three-hour drive from where I was. We met with a pastor and his wife who oversee a network of about 200 Albanian-speaking churches. These churches are often 30 – 40 people in size, struggling to find places to meet and trained leaders to pastor them.
Joy:
Are they getting outside help?
Ron:
Sadly, no. Some Western denominations established churches there but didn’t support the pastors. I met a young pastor — about 25 years old — living in extreme poverty. He worked full-time but still had to take out a loan at the end of every month just to buy food for his wife and kids. No one was helping him.
I asked, “Would $500 a month help?” His eyes welled up. We told him this support would be temporary until his church became self-sustaining. That gave him hope. That’s what we do — short-term pastoral support to get churches established.
Joy:
And you’re also providing Bibles?
Ron:
Yes, we’ve secured Bibles for them, and they’re being devoured. One leader we work with runs the largest Albanian-speaking church and is on radio and TV multiple times a day — not on Christian stations, but secular ones. He engages in debates and discussions about the Gospel on mainstream media. That’s unheard of in Albania!
Joy:
That’s amazing! Any final thoughts?
Ron:
This region is ripe for harvest, but they need resources — Bibles, pastoral support, and places to meet. Inflation is making things worse. The cost of bread is their currency. They say things like, “That’s worth five loaves of bread,” because that’s how they measure inflation. Many live in shipping containers with no way to keep warm. This winter will be hard, especially for widows and the poor.
Joy:
The stories from the Balkans remind me so much of China and Ethiopia. The hunger for Truth, the packed churches, the challenges of living out their faith — it’s happening all over the world.
Ron:
Exactly. We can’t judge these believers by Western standards. They may not attend church every Sunday due to circumstances, but they are deeply committed to Christ. Jesus knows their hearts.
Joy:
Ron, Charis, thank you for sharing these stories. It’s incredible to hear what God is doing in the Balkans.
Ron & Charis:
Thank you, Joy!
Joy:
And thank you, listeners, for joining us on God’s Church. Stay tuned for more stories of God at work around the world. Until next time!
