For many of these countries, their experience with Communism has been economically, morally and spiritually devastating. Though Communism is now a fading memory, the transition to another way of life has often not been easy. The entry of market capitalism has left its trademark — wealth and hedonism for a few, but increased economic stress for many. Dreams of instant wealth from capitalism have proved elusive and hollow.

While the economy in some of these countries have done well transitioning out of Communism, most are still struggling to recover. The great moral vacuum formed by decades of Communism has not been filled. The moral decline that ensued over the past fifteen years in many of these countries has been accompanied by an increase in crime, substance abuse, prostitution and family breakdown.

Of those in traditional religions, many do not even attend church and many of the churches lack spiritual vitality. In many of these countries, a very small percentage of believers in traditional religions take their faith very seriously. Sadly, the evangelical church in many of these countries is nominal and steeped in formalism.

Spiritual renewal and growth has not occurred evenly across the region. Thousands upon thousands of towns and villages still remain without an evangelical witness, often mired in empty tradition. In some of the Eastern European nations, one-third to almost half the population is non-religious. As Jesus said, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  We see this as a time of great opportunity for the gospel.

Christian input from laborers outside the region is needed, but it really must be given sensitively from a servant’s heart. The most effective laborers are often those who facilitate the indigenous church leaders through consultation and troubleshooting. And that’s what we intend to do. We have both been to Eastern Europe before on short-term missions, and known for many years that this is the part of the world we are called to. Now it’s our strong desire to go back long-term to serve the Body of Christ, helping national leaders plant churches.

If you would like more information about our ministry, or us please feel free to contact us.

Laboring in the harvest,

Len and Jennifer Lacroix