The Dying Church

Even before I moved to Europe eight years ago, I had heard talk of how the Church there (and filtering into the US) was dying. Atheism and Islam were taking over, and the large cathedrals were now sitting empty. Once there, I witnessed this for myself. There's something haunting about walking into a massive sanctuary that you know was once filled with worship to the Creator, its dramatic stain glass masterpieces displaying this truth, only to now be a tourist attraction filled with cameras and art enthusiasts. 

But is the Church in fact dead in Europe? I know firsthand that the answer is no. Many of my friends and coworkers can boldly testify to movement of the Holy Spirit and churches growing. 

After living in Eastern Europe for three years and now having spent an additional month there helping with the refugee crisis, there is a strong passion and prayer filling my thoughts at present. If only God would be delighted in using this massive migration of hurting, needy, desperate, searching people to awaken His Bride to be and do what He's called Her to be and do! Life should drip from Her lips. Joy should be shouted from Her doors. Hope should be broadcast from Her all words. Peace should be exampled in the streets. Love should fill Her actions. What an opportunity to arise, to minister, to reach out, to care, to help, and to be Jesus! 

During my month of working in the refugee camp in Serbia, out of the hundreds of volunteers and workers surrounding me, only a handful of them were believers. People are being raised up to help. There is compassion and care being administered. But those things can only go so far when the real needs aren't being met. If the heart isn't ultimately being addressed, what good is a pair of new shoes, hot soup, or information given in the long run? As the chaos filling Europe depicts, there aren't many answers to be had as to what should be done moving forward. My prayer is that the Church would stand up and be the solution! The nations we've so long prayed for are at Their very doorstep, hurting, seeking, and needy... May We do something! Oh, Jesus, awaken Your Bride to take action!