Prague Added to ‘Send the Light to the Cities’ Initiative
Prague, Czech Republic, has been added to Church of God World Missions’ emphasis on “Send the Light to the Cities.” Christ’s Birthday offerings will in part go toward a ministry center there.
Earlier this year, Church of God World Missions announced their strategy to reach 10 major cities around the world. In evangelizing these major cities, churches will be planted and an evangelism and training center will be established in each one. World Missions commits to stay alongside them until they are able to sustain their own commitment to FINISH: Focus on the Light; Invade the Darkness; Navigate the Needs; Intercede for Souls; Send the Light; and Heal the Nations.
Moscow, Russia, was originally on the list of 10 cities, but due to recent laws affected by Russia’s president against Christianity, Moscow will now be a focus for extensive prayer. Resistance is great toward any spiritual advances by evangelicals.
“Typically, Christ’s Birthday Offering is given in honor of Christ’s birth, i.e. in the amount of the year which this year is $20.16 (2016),” stated World Missions Director David Griffis. “Seemingly a small amount, it accomplishes great things for God’s Kingdom—souls will be won through your investment.”
Prague, the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, is situated on the Vltava River, and has a population of 1.26 million, while its larger urban zone is estimated to have a population of nearly 2 million people. The name “Prague” is a derivative of an old Slavic word and means “ford” or “rapid,” undoubtedly referring to the city’s origin at the river’s crossing point. Others names for her are the Golden City; the Mother of Cities; and the Heart of Europe. Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic center of Central Europe during its 1,100-year existence. According to Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) studies, she is classified as an “Alpha”-global city.
Spiritually, Prague has one of the least religious populations in the world; the country with the third most atheistic population by percentage is indifferent towards religion. Only 16 percent of the citizens respond that they believe there is a God. Catholics are the largest Christian group in the Czech Republic, yet a significant falling away and fading of religious influence in Czech society is taking place. However, small congregations, house churches, and cell groups all fare better than top-heavy structures.
Prague is a harvest field ripe for harvest!
Project number 020-0803/Christ’s Birthday Offering
