Bringing the news of Jesus to the Albanians
Andressa Coutinho
About Albania and my Calling
My Calling – Take Jesus to the Albanians
Albania suffered for many years under one of the most repressive communist regimes. The church everywhere cried out to God for the wall of communism to fall and God answered. The Communist regime of Albania was so closed that little or almost nothing was known about what happened to the poor Albanian people. For this reason, for many years this nation was considered the most closed in the world for the preaching of the Gospel. Albania was the only country in modern history to have in its constitution: “We are atheists, we do not believe in the existence of God”.
The Republic of Albania is situated on the Balkan peninsula. Albania is bordered by Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, plus two seas, the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. In 1991, after 40 years of isolation, in 1991, with the fall of the communist regime, Albania emerges as one of the poorest nations in Europe. Extreme poverty drove thousands of Albanians to immigrate to various European countries.
When the communist government collapsed, there was not a single evangelical church. With the opening, many missionaries began to arrive and plant churches throughout the country. However, in 1997, there was a conflict period, which forced the departure of missionaries from this nation, leading many churches to close, especially those from the interior. It is time to take Jesus to the Albanians.
Albania Today
Albania is a secular country under its current constitution, but Islam is the religion that is most practiced. Muslims are found everywhere, while the few orthodox followers are more concentrated in the South and Catholics in the north of the country. In addition to the four traditional religious groups, there are a considerable number of denominational followers, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and other religious groups. It is time to take Jesus to the Albanians.
Although Albania is open to the Gospel, few are the workers who are willing to devote their lives to save these people. Therefore, I pray the Lord to send more harvesters to this region, for the cry continues: Pass on to Macedonia and help us!
In the initial phase in the country, my first two years are focusing on language learning (Albanian), cultural adaptation and serving in the evangelization of the Albanian people with a local church. At that time, I will reside in Kamez, which is 7 km from Tirana, the capital of Albania. Already in a second moment, understanding with more effectiveness the demands and also the opportunities to serve, I will dedicate myself in the long term in the preaching of the Gospel to this people so in need of the grace of God. I am committed to taking Jesus to the Albanians.
About Kamëz, Albania
Kamëz, also known as kamza or kambëza, with an area of approximately 21.73 km², is a district that is located 7 km north of Tirana, the capital of Albania.
Regular Maintenance Budget
- Rent $
- Utilities $
- Food and Sundries
- ESTIMATED TOTAL = $2,000 per month
The Calling - Take Jesus to the Albanians
At age 16, I was attending a Sunday night World Missions service at my home church in Southern Brazil. The speaker, Pastor Marcos Stier Calixto, was with the Christian Arab Movement. He had developed a missionary work with the Arab people in my hometown. That night he preached about the situation of peoples who had not been touched by the grace of God. In his talk, he emphasized that the harvest was great, but the workers were few.
At that moment, my heart burned with love for these people. I was overwhelmed by a strong conviction that God was calling me to the ministry – joining those few workers. At that time, I did not know where I was to go, what I was to do, or when everything would happen. My only certainty was that God was calling me, and that my desire was to obey Him.
The Conviction - Take Jesus to the Albanians
The conviction to serve in Albania, South-East Europe, came more recently in 2017. I learned of the situation in Albania through the Center for the Preparation of Missionaries (CPM) at JUVEP. This was when I accompanied a group of students to Albania who were learning about Cross-Cultural Immersion. I had never thought of serving in Albania before. During the days I stayed in the country, I often felt the strong conviction that the Lord was speaking to me.
At first I thought it might be something emotional, but time passed and the Albanian people continued in my mind and heart. Then I decided to talk to my family, friends, leadership, and counselors. I took a year in praying and seeking confirmations from the Lord. With the grace of God, I now understand more clearly that this is the place that God wants to use in my life so that He may be known and worshiped among the Albanians. I will take Jesus to the Albanians!
My Early History
I was born in a town called Foz do Iguaçu in the state of Paraná in Southern Brazil. This is near the border with Paraguay and Argentina. I began to know Jesus a little starting between 6 and 7 years of age. My neighbors introduced me to Jesus. They were the family of Pastor Sérgio Magalhães. They also led the church that I belong to today.
At this early stage I was involved with the children’s choir. Due to this, I did not like to miss any Sunday School Bible classes. I remember that Pastor Sergio had a bright green Belina (a car brand). Whenever we went to church he would put me and his three children in the trunk. Of course, it was open and very large. Before we left home to go to anywhere (especially church), we always prayed. On the way from our home to the church we sang choral children’s songs.
God used the life of this family very much to impact me. My heart was warmed by their attitudes, devotion to God, respect and love for others.
Touched by God
At the age of 10, as the pastor preached at a Sunday night service the Lord spoke strongly to my heart. It was an inexplicable feeling of the Holy Spirit’s action in my life. Six years later, I remember a similar feeling – so overwhelming and remarkable. (This time being called a missionary.) In the same year, in September 1995, I enrolled in the baptism class along with others and in October we began our classes every Sunday morning.
On November 12, 1995, I was baptised. Then I publicly declared that I would follow Jesus Christ. After this moment, much has changed in my life. This change was not in the short term, but in the medium and long term. God began working on my character (to be more like Him). He awakened me to share my testimony at school among friends. He guided my behavior with my family, especially regarding obedience to my parents.
God helped my prayer life and inspired me in the reading and studying the Word. I wanted to preach the Gospel to those who did not know it. Then I was also discipled by a couple of sunday school teachers from my church, Dora and Jurandir, who were important people that God put into my life and who helped me a lot in the beginning of the walk with Christ. After this initial phase, I was always very involved with the Kingdom. My journey of sanctification continued, being perfected by Christ
Preparation
I graduated in Environmental Engineering (in 2008) and a Specialization in Project Management (in the year 2014). Both courses prepared me to work for a good period at the International Hydroinformatics Center of UNECO, an institution that is part of the Itaipu Technological Park in Foz do Iguaçu – PR. It was a time when I had the opportunity to add a lot of technical learning and also to build many true friendships, which I relate to today.
In September 2014, the Lord confirmed that it was time for me to obey Him in a more specific way. This means I should dedicate myself totally to His work. After a long period of prayers, guidance from the pastor, family and friends, I understood God’s will that it was necessary to quit my job. Therefore, at the end of 2015, I left my employer. Then I initiated a mission preparation into a cross-cultural mission field. During the preparation, in 2016, the Lord made me understand the need to stay for another three years in Brazil, dedicating myself in theological preparation and working at the Mission JUVEP, as a basic worker. Then I can take Jesus to the Albanians.
Getting Ready to Go!
At this time, I am serving JUVEP. I have been involved in an academic study area and in the preparation of my calling. For general JUVEP support, I support workshops in the area of Project and Sports Development. Another focus is development of new Mission projects, such as the Radical Quilombolas Project and the short-term Missionary Projects.
I conclude my theological training toward the end of 2019. Additionally, I am attending a Specialization in Biblical Counseling at the Seminary of the Word of Life, in Atibaia, Sao Paulo. All this time of preparation has been of extreme personal importance, but also of great ministerial relevance. How grateful I am to God and also to my Itaipu Baptist Church! They give me this unique opportunity to dedicate time to a good preparation before heading to the mission field. This time has been precious!
My Passion - Taking Jesus to the Albanians
Servant in the work of the Lord, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the unreached children, who are know and worship the one true God.
Special Needs: Take Jesus to the Albanians
How to Support Andressa's Work with the Albanians
Normal living expenses and ministry outlays. This is especially important for the next several years of language learning and cultural understanding. Eventually, it is hoped to obtain some local finances, but with the very poor state of Albanians, this may not happen.
Pray for the people of Albania and for the Holy Spirit to quicken their hearts to hear and embrace the gospel message.
For me, please pray for effective language skill development and for me to find a suitable place to live.
In partnership with the local church in Albania, we can undertake additional evangelical activities. If you are interested, please contact me.