Balkans Wholistic Development

Balkans Wholistic Development implements Community Health Evangelism (CHE) projects in Albania and neighbouring Balkans countries, in order to bring practical and spiritual transformation to needy communities, and establish new churches.

BWD equips community leaders to deliver CHE in their own localities, through ‘Training of Trainers’ seminars. Where there is a church, they also empower local believers in their ministry to strengthen the church and help it grow.

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Community Health Evangelism is ongoing in this village

BWD’s training team initially established CHE in three villages in Korça province, south-east Albania, comprising about 1400 households with up to 7,000 people.

These villages are serving as ‘model’ communities as BWD expands its vision to roll the CHE programme out across Albania and into Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

BWD's vision for CHE began in Korça, south-east Albania in January 1999 with three Albanian believers from a church in the city, and a missionary from the USA.

In 2003, the organization was officially registered within Albania as the Medical Ambassadors Foundation, with the name of the ministry subsequently changing to Balkans Wholistic Development to better reflect the scope of its work.

Dr. Patriot Hoxhaj (executive director) and the BWD team are committed to CHE principles - a highly valuable and successful approach to community evangelism in rural Muslim populations.

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Reaching out to people in need

Their core projects based on CHE principles include:-

HIV/AIDS awareness
Training and supporting handicapped and orphaned children
Schools programmes

There are also a growing number of Bible study groups meeting each week.

Albania endured many years of closed and repressive Communist rule. In 1967, Albania became the first and only atheistic state when its leader declared, ‘Albania believes there is no God’, and all religious activities were strictly prohibited.

Most communities entered by BWD have no Christian believers. “In all areas we work, people are Muslim traditionally,” says Dr. Patriot.

“Usually we find people in poor communities with a lot of economic problems, poor infrastructure and hygiene, open sewer channels, health problems, and a lack of knowledge about God.”

Despite the problems facing communities, the Church has been born, and is just beginning to emerge from Western domination.

Separate women’s and men’s Bible studies started by BWD, have combined to form a church which opened in 2009. Meeting in a hired house, they are beginning to contribute and save towards calling a pastor, and have a vision for a church building incorporating a community centre.

PROJECTS

(Click on the links to see details of the projects of this ministry partner)

NEW 426007 - Village School Building

426030 - 4WD for BWD

426050 - Vashtemi Church

PRAYER LETTERS

(Click on the link to read the most recent prayer letter from this ministry partner)

Albania - Balkans Wholistic Development - April 2012 (PDF)

Albania - Balkans Wholistic Development - October 2011 (PDF)

Albania - Balkans Wholistic Development - March 2011 (PDF)