“Malta will teach all about the Lord Jesus Christ boldly and without hindrance!”
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!(Acts 28:31,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 464,000
Area | 316㎢, Located in the Mediterranean Sea in southern Europe, south of the Italian island of Sicily.
Capital City | Valletta (213,000)
People Groups | Total 10 groups, Maltese 96.7%, British 1.6%, Arab 0.5%, Others 1.8%
Unreached People Groups | 3 (0.5% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Maltese, English
Total Languages | 8
Bible Translations | Completed 7, Partial 1
Religion | Christianity 96.3% (Protestant 0.05%, Catholic 90%), Muslim 2%, Non-religious 1.7%, Evangelical 1.5%(7,000 people)
》 About Malta
Malta is located in the central Mediterranean and is rich in archaeological heritage from civilizations such as Phoenicia, Greece, Carthage, Rome, as well as from Christianity and Islam. In 1530, it became the territory of the Knights of St. John (Knights of Malta) and remained independent until Napoleon occupied it in 1798. It became a British territory in 1814 and played a key role in Britain’s war efforts during both World Wars. Malta gained independence from the UK in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. Since 1987, it has followed a pro-Western policy, joined the EU in 2004, and adopted the euro as its official currency in 2008. It is a parliamentary republic, and Miriam Spiteri Debono has been serving as president since April 2024. She is the first female president to be elected under a constitutional amendment requiring the approval of more than two-thirds of parliament, earning support from both the ruling and opposition parties.
Due to its small land area, rocky terrain, and lack of natural resources, Malta cannot heavily develop agriculture or large-scale industry. Instead, it relies mainly on tourism and transit trade. Key income sources include light manufacturing, ship repair, and livestock farming. Major exports are olives and textiles, with primary trade partners being EU countries and nearby Arab nations like Libya. The service sector continues to grow, especially in financial services and online gaming. Malta remains attractive as a tax haven due to its favorable tax system for foreign investors. Tourism has also been expanding steadily, with a record number of airline and cruise passengers recorded in 2016. However, high borrowing costs and a small labor market may limit long-term economic growth. Malta’s GDP per capita is approximately $42,347.
》 Scripture Focus
| Acts 28:1-11, 31(NIV) 1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! |
》 Prayer Points
1. Malta is believed to be the first European island to receive Christianity, where the Apostle Paul preached the gospel after surviving a shipwreck (Acts 28, the island of Melita). The country has a long-standing Christian identity deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. About 90% of the population is Catholic, and most regularly attend mass. Over 80% consider their faith an important part of daily life. In recent years, Charismatic Catholicism has grown through the Alpha Course and the Jesus Film, resulting in a rise in mature believers. Protestantism was only allowed to spread after independence in 1964. Though growth has been slow, it continues steadily. In 2010, there were only around 500 evangelicals meeting in 10–14 churches and house churches, but today that number has grown to about 7,000. Let us pray that the church in Malta will continue to be firmly established with the gospel of the cross preached through Paul. Let us pray that they will be reborn as Christians united with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not the traditional religion of Catholicism.
2. Although Protestant missions are not officially opposed, most Maltese people identify strongly as Catholic, making social pressure intense for those who seek or convert to evangelical faith. Baptist and Pentecostal churches are actively sharing the gospel with locals and tourists. Interestingly, more Maltese live abroad than in Malta itself—many in Australia, the UK, Italy, and Canada. Some of them become Protestants overseas, and the number of returnees to Malta is growing. These returning believers could form the foundation of new gospel-centered churches. Let us pray that the Maltese church will rise up as a missional church that is filled with truth and grace in the Holy Spirit, preaches the kingdom of God, and boldly and without hesitation teaches everything about the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Due to its location near North Africa, Malta sees a constant flow of migrants and refugees seeking to enter Europe. Many people pass through, but locals often have negative feelings about them. Despite this, Malta is a strategic place to reach travelers, including thousands of seafarers on cargo and cruise ships who pass through the port. Let us pray that the Maltese may serve travelers with the Lord’s mercy, just as another sick person on the island was healed through Publius, who received grace by welcoming Paul and his companions who were shipwrecked. Let us pray that Malta may become a nation that glorifies God by saving the various peoples in Malta through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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