History
The region of Czechoslovakia had formerly been ruled by Hungary from the
900s AD to 1918. It was conquered by invading Nazi forces during WWII but
later taken over by the Soviet Union. In 1989, the Communist Party resigned
under pressure from the people. Czechoslovakia broke up into two separate
countries on Jan. 1, 1993, forming the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Slovakia
is a landlocked country that is home to several ethnic groups. Currently
ethnic Slovaks make up 77% of the population, Hungarians 10%, Gypsies 10%,
and other nationalities 3%. The government consists of a president who appoints
a prime minister, and a one-house parliament called the National Council.
Church
History
The Roman Catholic Church has had a tight hold on the people of Slovakia
for centuries. Over 60 percent of the country considers itself Roman Catholic,
and ten percent is Lutheran. Pentecostal and Orthodox churches account for
a much smaller percentage of Slovakians.
The
Movement Today
The Pentecostal movement in Slovakia is known as the Apostolic Church of
Slovakia. Believers share the love of Christ through several ministries.
The Apostolic Church of Slovakia holds tent crusades, conducts street evangelism
and campus outreaches and supports a small Teen Challenge program. The church
is steadily growing in Slovakia. It reports the following statistics: 24
churches with about 60 additional preaching points, 32 ordained ministers,
and one evangelical seminary at the University of Matej Bela in the city
of Banska Bystrica.
Additional
Facts About Slovakia
Capital:
Bratislava
Area:
18,924 square miles
Population:
5,404,000
Urbanization: 59 percent
Government: Republic
Languages: Slovak (official), Romany (Gypsy) with some German and Hungarian
Agriculture:
Grains, hops, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, corn and livestock
Industry: Metals, ceramics, petroleum products and chemicals |
