Czech Republic

After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Now a member of NATO, the Czech Republic has moved toward integration in world markets, a development that poses both opportunities and risks.

YWAM in CZECH REPUBLIC:
Through the cold war years, YWAM’ers smuggled Bibles into Czechoslovakia and ministered to Czech believers, while evangelism teams worked carefully on university campuses. In 1991, Pat and Barb Foye moved to Plzen from YWAM Lakeside in Montana, USA. That same year, a team was sent from YWAM Amsterdam to start a work in Prague. During the first few years, members of both teams were involved in teaching English, learning Czech, and developing relationships throughout the nation. Partnering with a Moravian church in Liberec, YWAM Plzen and Prague hosted two Go Festivals in 1995 and 1997, opening the door for teaching and mobilizing Czechs into world missions. In March 2000, YWAM Plzen began running DTS’s.

YWAM Plzen is currently the only YWAM base in the Czech Republic, with the following vision and mission: “We want to see the Czech Republic reformed, returning to its godly roots on all levels of society, and embracing and valuing cultural diversity. We want to see the Body of Christ functioning as God intended – strong, healthy and reaching out to the nations, both within the Czech Republic and beyond its borders. We are committed to living and demonstrating the kingdom of God, making no distinction between sacred and secular. Through the knowledge of God’s Word, worship, prayer and intercession, we depend upon Him. We go to people where they are, serving them as we are able and helping them to discover their value as individuals. Promoting unity in the Body of Christ worldwide, we equip, train and mobilize believers to impact the world around them.”

Some of the ministry opportunities which embody the above statements include: running DTS's; mobilizing Christians into world missions; refugee camp ministry; hosting teams; reaching the unreached; ministry to international students; local and church ministries

prayer needs:
-for growing unity in the Church throughout the nation
-for increased interest and movement toward world missions by local churches