“Slovenia, born of God, overcomes the world!”
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.(1 John 5:4,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 2.1 million
Area | 20,273㎢, Located on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe.
Capital City | Ljubljana (286,000 people)
People Groups | Total 16 groups, Slovenians 85.8%, Bosnians 4.3%, Serbs and Croats 2.8%, Others 7.1%
Unreached People Groups | 1 (4.3% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Slovenian
Total Languages | 15
Bible Translations | Completed 12, New Testament 1, Partial 1
Religion | Christianity 54.1% (Protestant 2.7%, Catholic 37%), Non-religious 41.5%, Muslim 4.4% Evangelical 0.2%(4,000 people)
》 About Slovenia
Slovenia began in 626 when King Samo united Slavic tribes to form the first Slovene state. In the 13th century, Otakar II of Bohemia tried to unite the Czech, Slovak, and Slovene regions. In 1550, reformer Primož Trubar created a Slovene writing system, and in 1584, Jurij Dalmatin translated the Bible into Slovene—making it the 12th language with a Bible translation. Slovenia became part of the Austrian Empire in 1797, joined Yugoslavia in 1918, and became part of communist Yugoslavia in 1945. After free elections in 1990, Slovenia became independent in 1991. It joined NATO and the EU in 2004, and the Eurozone in 2007. It has a parliamentary government. President: Natasa Pirc Musar (since 2022), Prime Minister: Robert Golob (since 2022).
Slovenia has good infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a strategic location between Western Europe and the Balkans. Even after a long recession post-2008, it remains one of the wealthiest in Eastern Europe. Key industries include electronics, chemicals, food, paper, wood, medicine, metals, and car parts. Transport, especially via the Port of Koper, is important. Unemployment dropped below 5.5% by 2018 due to strong exports and rising consumption.
Slovenia’s GDP per capita is approximately $36,500.
》 Scripture Focus
| 1 John 5:4-5, 10-15(NIV) 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. |
》 Prayer Points
1. About 54% of Slovenians are Christian, with Catholics making up 37%. Orthodox and heretical groups are common, and general indifference toward Christianity is widespread. Over 41% are non-religious, and agnosticism, New Age beliefs, and Eastern religions are increasing. Protestants make up 2.7%, evangelicals 0.2% (around 4,000 people), and there are only about 40 churches nationwide, often divided. Most Protestant groups can’t fund themselves, and pastors often hold other jobs or rely on external support. People in the church are not learning about biblical offerings. Lutheran churches are mainly in the northeast. Pray for the unity of churches through the Evangelical Alliance. May hearts awaken from spiritual indifference and recognize Jesus as the Son of God and the true source of life. Let us pray that believers will rise as gospel witnesses, trusting in the eternal life given to them.
2. Pray that foreign missionaries and mission groups won’t be discouraged by secularism or atheism, but will work in unity with local churches to spread the gospel and establish new congregations. Two Bible schools train leaders and believers, but the number is too small. Just as Primož Trubar, the reformer, once developed the Slovene script and translated the Bible during the Reformation. Let us pray for the Slovenian Bible Society will distribute accurate, modern translations with Christian literature. EHC operates bookstores, radio, websites, and coffee shops to spread the gospel. Though few in number, pray that churches and missionaries persist in prayer for salvation and that revival will come. May Slovenia, born of God, be full of faith that overcomes the world.
3. IFES, CCCI, and Nazarene University are sharing the gospel on campuses in Ljubljana and other cities. Churches also work with teens through Josiah Venture ministries. Outreach and discipleship for youth are being done through personalized programs and through cooperation with missionaries using sports and culture. CEF trains leaders to reach children. Let us pray for these ministries to bear fruit through faith and obedience. May the next generation hears the truth that God has given eternal life and that this life is in His Son—and that they may be born again in true faith.
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