“Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is Montenegro’s spiritual worship.”
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.(Romans 12:1,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 610,000
Area | 13,812㎢, Located on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
Capital City | Podgorica (177,000 people)
People Groups | Total 16 groups, Montenegrins 49.7%, Serbs 31.5%, Bosnians 8.7%, Albanians 5%, Slovaks 1%, Croatians 1%
Unreached People Groups | 3 (9.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Montenegrin, Serbian
Total Languages | 15
Bible Translations | Completed 10, New Testament 2, Partial 2
Religion | Christianity 74.3% (Protestant 0.8%, Orthodox 68%), Muslim 19.3%, Non-religious 6.6%, Evangelical 0.3%(1,600 people)
》 About Montenegro
Montenegrins are a branch of the Serbian people who formed a tribal society after the 6th century. They accepted Christianity from the Roman Empire and established the Principality of Duklja in the 9th century. In 1077, they were recognized as an independent kingdom by the Pope. In 1918, after World War I, Montenegro lost its independence when it was merged into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, led by Serbia. After World War II, it became one of the republics within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Following Tito’s death in 1980, the federation began to fall apart. In 1992, Montenegro joined with Serbia to form the new Yugoslav federation, which led to international economic sanctions and political marginalization. In 1999, President Milo Đukanović began actively pushing for independence. A referendum was held in 2003, and the country’s name was changed to the “Union of Serbia and Montenegro.” However, Montenegro continued to pursue full independence and finally became a sovereign state in 2006. Since then, it has worked to restore political, economic, and cultural ties with neighboring countries and is focused on joining the European Union. Montenegro operates under a parliamentary system. As of 2023, Jakov Milatović is serving as President, and Milojko Spajić as Prime Minister.
Montenegro’s economy is heavily driven by tourism, which accounts for over 20% of its GDP. Its beautiful coastline attracts about three times its population in tourists every year. Currently, only 20% of its hydroelectric potential is being used, meaning it has significant room to grow as a future energy exporter. Though not an official member of the Eurozone, Montenegro uses the euro as its national currency. Montenegro’s GDP per capita is approximately $12,935.
》 Scripture Focus
| Romans 12:1-2, 16-21(NIV) 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Christianity in Montenegro began in the 9th century through the missionary work of Cyril and Methodius from the Eastern Roman Empire. Eastern Orthodoxy became the national religion. About 63% of the population are Orthodox Christians, but most are nominal. Most believers do not own a Bible or feel the need to read it. The Serbian Orthodox Church and the Montenegrin Orthodox Church have had conflicts, including public disputes over property and leadership, leading to ridicule from the people. Protestantism began in 1992 after communism collapsed, with missionaries from Serbia and Western countries. Evangelicals make up just 0.3% of the population, but Pentecostal, Baptist, and Brethren churches are actively evangelizing and growing. Let us pray that the churches will unite and continue to spread the gospel of the cross so that the people of this land will be saved and bear abundant fruit. Let us pray for a revival of spiritual worship in which the church, firmly established in faith, sets itself apart from the world and offers its whole self as a holy sacrifice that pleases God.
2. Missionaries from Germany, the UK, the US, South Africa, and Korea have planted churches and distributed Christian literature and Bibles. Organizations like Pioneers, Finnish Pentecostals, and Baptist missions are working in the country. Most of the Protestant church members are Ukrainian Russians. There is still no church for the ethnic Montenegrin population. Although Montenegro does not yet have its own Bible Society, missionaries are distributing Bibles from Serbia and Croatia, teaching the gospel, training believers, and building churches. Let us pray that the missionaries will be of one mind with the leaders and believers of the church, doing good works together, and evangelizing and nurturing souls through abundant and mature cooperation.
3. Bosniaks (8.7%) and Albanians (5%) are mostly exclusive Muslims, and many harbor strong hostility toward Christians due to the civil war. The Orthodox Church does not oppose Islam, and both sides accept each other’s religions without trying to evangelize. Albanian refugees who fled during the Kosovo conflict still remain in camps, unable to return to their homeland. They live without hope, under poor conditions and social rejection. Refugees from Africa and the Middle East are also arriving in Montenegro. Let us pray that God will renew their hearts by sharing the gospel of the cross with all the peoples of this land. Let us pray that they will not be bound by the history of division and anger, but will believe in God’s rule, and will be established as witnesses of the gospel who follow God’s will and do not follow this generation.
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