Eagle: large, soaring bird of prey noted for size, strength, and power of flight and vision (dictionary.com)

In the last two years, there have been extraordinary movements of people to the UK from specific countries: Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, and now Albania. Although we should be cautious about how and why the media bring such movements to our attention, it is claimed that 50 Albanians arrived in small boats in 2020, 800 in 2021, and to date 12,000 people arriving this year. Of this number, 10,000 were men – 1% of Albania’s adult male population.[1]

Why the dramatic increase in numbers? Why would people want to leave their own homes, loved ones, cherished routines, language, and culture? For all of its beauty, it is clear that Albania has been a turbulent place, with years of communist rule and isolation, ‘liberation’ in the 1990s, and ‘civil war’ in 1997. The worldwide cost-of-living crisis has only intensified a distinct lack of hope and opportunity. ‘Youth’ unemployment (up to 29 years old according to this source!) stands at 20%, corruption, low salaries, poor working conditions, and a low quality of life are often cited by people wanting to leave Albania. The average household income is about £1,744 compared to the UK where it is as much as twenty times higher.[2]

Of the 2.8 million Albanians in the country, approximately 58% identify with Islam, 10% with Catholicism, 7% with Orthodoxy, 15% with atheism, and the rest ‘undeclared’.[3] However, we need to remember that God is moving in Albania, a land known to its people as the ‘Land of the Eagles’.[4] We would do well to be alert and poised to participate in what God is doing with the Albanians we will inevitably meet in the UK.

The roots of the Gospel in Albania could well be deeper than we realise if good news was indeed presented to the Illyrians, ancestors of today’s Albanians (Romans 15:19). Even so, it is sobering that just 20 evangelical believers were thought to be alive in 1991 when Albania regained its ‘freedom’. Incredibly, the same source estimates that now there are about 200 evangelical churches, totalling 20,000 people.[5] How wonderful that the ‘positive contribution’ of evangelicals to the country has even been recognised and praised by the Albanian government.[6]

What an opportunity for the UK Church! We can pray for Albanian people and the many men who will find themselves in often exhausting, tempting, frightening, bewildering, and exploitative circumstances in the UK.[7] Look out for the many Albanians working in factories, on construction sites or doing loft conversions near you.

As we meet Albanians, what a chance for the UK church family to offer welcome, warmth, and the love of Christ. Men in particular have a befriending and ‘alongsider’ role to take up. Christians can acknowledge both the beauty and culture of Albania and yet also its challenges: by researching the country, being good listeners, and asking questions of the people we bump into.

Food is always appreciated! We could provide ‘Welcome boxes’ with choice Albanian snacks from our local European minimart.[8] We could even find out how to say ‘Hello!’ in Albanian.[9] As a Church, we could support Albanians with the vital networking tools and English language skills needed to make inroads into transport, housing, employment, and education.

May the Albanian evangelical community have the beauty, strength, and agility of the eagle, and continue to touch the people around them including those in Albania, those travelling to and already in the UK. May the UK churches continue to pray for and consider how best to share the love and hope of Jesus with Albanian people. May we not be frightened or intimidated but move in the strength, love, and peace of Christ. Amen.

Written by Daniel Whetham
December 2022

Daniel Whetham is the 2:19 Regional Developer for Greater Manchester, seconded from Interserve. Daniel supports churches in setting up and running English classes. He also researches trends in ESOL, government policy, and movements of International people in the UK in order to consider how best to pray, prepare, and respond with English language provision in the love of Christ.

[1] Note that these well-rounded figures are for arrivals by boat. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63404485 Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[2] ‘Illegal’ work rather than asylum appears to be the main motivation cited for coming to the UK. See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-63473022 Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[3] Note stats vary according to source. I used Wikipedia but approach with caution! See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Albania#Religions Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[4] The qualities of the Eagle are inspirational when it comes to sharing the Gospel with Albanians. See: https://evangelicalfocus.com/features/15185/the-miracle-in-albania-christian-school-in-the-land-of-the-eagles Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[5] Although faced with severe challenges, the Gospel did not die out. See: https://evangelicalfocus.com/features/14419/30-years-of-rebirth-of-evangelicalism-in-albania Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[6] Particularly so in education and language. See: https://evangelicalfocus.com/print/3050/Albanian-evangelicals-celebrate-their-contribution-to-language-and-education Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[7] Note emotive and inflammatory language sells! See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63488070 (last accessed 21 Nov 22) for ominous descriptions of Albanians recruited for the UK cannabis and cocaine industry.

[8] The idea of ‘Welcome Boxes’ for newly arrived Internationals in the UK is from https://welcomechurches.org/ Last accessed 21 Nov 22

[9] Learning Albanian is not available on the Duolingo app but there are other choices! See: https://learnlanguagesfromhome.com/duolingo-albanian/ Last accessed 21 Nov 22