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Croatia
 Population: 4,495,904
Ethnic groups: Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma)
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census)
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Our Ministry in Slavonski Brod, Croatia
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Who are the people in this community and what are some of the life challenges they face?
The city of Slovanski Brod borders Bosnia and is still rebuilding from the war with Bosnia, which ended in 1995. The people are poor, with an average income of $8K per year. They do enjoy most of the modern conveniences and value relationships. The society is somewhat closed and the people are suspicious of outsiders.
Work there will take time and will be slow.
Why is Fellowship involved in this community?
At the invitation of Athletes in Action, Fellowship made their first trip to Croatia in July, 2005. This trip was explorational in nature, to determine if it’s a place we want to be long term. There is a local church there to partner with, one of the few non-Catholic churches around. Catholic roots are deep there.
What work and ministry has already been accomplished?
Advances are being made through the local church and believers are having an impact. I think, however, that the biggest strides could be made in the next generation, through activities geared to students. In addition to the basketball camp we did, language classes, music, drama and other activities were going on and appeared to appeal to the students and kids.
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