Slovenia
Area: 20.251 km2
Population: 2 million
Capital: Ljubljana (300.000 people)

Since 1991 Slovenia has been an independent nation, separated from former the Yugoslavia, and is slowly finding her identity. Under 250 million Slaves, divided into West-Slaves, East-Slaves and Southern-Slaves, the Slovenians are a rather small portion among the Southern-Slaves.

In the 6^th century Southern-Slaves settled in the Balkans and in the eastern Alps. Already 772 Slovenes came under rule of Bavarian dukes and later under the Karolinger. In many areas German settlers were replacing Slovenes. During those years Slovenians were brought into line with Catholicism.

From the 13^th and 14^th century the Slovenians belonged to the Hapsburg-empire. During the time of Reformation, Primoz Trubar (1508 – 1586) was the religious reformer. Through his translations into the local language (New Testament, Psalms, Catechism, etc.) he is considered the founder of the Slovenian written language.

Historically, Slovenia belongs to Middle-Europe. But through the Slavic language and by different types of states in the 20^th century, especially from 1946 – 1991 by the Communist Tito-state, Slovenia was related to the southern Slaves.

Slovenia is a switchboard between southern Slaves and the nations of middle and western Europe. As a Slavic nation it has a natural affiliation to the Slaves of south-eastern Europe, but also the ability to adjust to forms and norms of middle and western Europe.

In the state of Yugoslavia, Slovenia was considered as the busiest and most successful region, able to produce more than any other region with equivalent popultation. During Tito´s reign great significance was given to industrial development. After the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia lost her markets in the Southeast and struggled to meet quality standards for Western markets. Also, many factories used obsolete technologies. The young state is struggling with lack of capital which hinders the development of new strategies and technologies for the economy. This is especially evident in former industrial regions. Currently, Slovenia expends great effort in attempting to join the European Union within the next few years. Strong economic partners are Austria and Italy, who have natural boarders with Slovenia.

There is a new generation coming forth in Slovenia. It has the chance to orientated herself toward the upcoming materialism and success or to seek God’s glory – when that is offered to her. The lack of spiritual food is enormous. Because there are only 2 million Slovenes and about 1.000 born-again Christians, there exists a lack of spiritual media´s (books, tapes, videos) and spiritual leaders. The few existing Christian churches or groups need help from outside, especially from apostolic and prophetic ministries, in order to see churches built on solid spiritual foundations.