Street scene in Dublin.
Ireland (MNN) ― The global economic downturn is hitting Ireland especially hard. According to Greater Europe Mission missionary Jonathan Schuster, the fact that Ireland is an English-speaking country attracted a lot of immigrants to work there, since many of them already speak English.
"But as the economy began to
drop, these people left," he explained.
"And when they left, they left a huge black hole that Ireland is
scrambling to fill. But up to now, it has been unsuccessful. So a huge, huge workforce left Ireland."
The downturn follows a period of impressive economic growth for Ireland.
"In the last 20 years or so, Ireland gained the name of the Celtic Tiger, because its economy had been booming," Schuster said. "But in more recent days...I think it might be more appropriate to call it the Celtic Catfish because at the moment, the economy seems to have hit rock bottom."
Schuster believes that God is using the financial hard times to soften the hearts of the Irish people to receive the Good News. Normally, ministry in Ireland is far from easy.
"Ireland is really a tough place to minister," he said. "It's very difficult to reach people. Sometimes you can be in the ministry for years before you see any fruit."
In recent months, however, Schuster has seen more people responding to the Gospel. He and his wife, Becky, started a church plant in North County Dublin in December. They have seen two or three people come to Christ through that church plant, as well as several more through other ministries.
"I have to say, I really believe the economy is playing a part of that," Schuster said. "People used to be very independent, very secure in their economic prosperity in Ireland. But all that's been taken away, and people are beginning to realize that you can't put your hopes in the economy, you can't put your hopes in government programs, or your 401(k) plans. And they're open to all kinds of things, and God's not playing hide-and-seek."
God is also working through the ministry of the Irish Bible Institute, where Schuster works in the Old Testament department, as well as in a discipleship and mentoring program. Despite the poor economy, the Institute has actually seen its enrollment double for the coming school year.
"For the first time in the history of the school, we've had to double the amount of days that we're going to be offering classes," Schuster said. "And this is due to the fact that in September, when we begin the new term, we have nearly twice the amount of students that we had last year. So even though the economy is really bad, clearly God is not daunted by it."
Schuster also sees signs of spiritual growth in the life of the Irish church.
"In the past, Ireland has not been very open to the concepts of discipleship and mentoring," he said. "And yet in the last few years, we've been taking great strides toward that and trying to change the mentality in Irish churches. And it seems to be working. Mentoring, discipleship--these are words now that you're going to hear in a lot of evangelical churches."
Graduates of the Irish Bible Students play a role in developing the new focus. One, for instance, works in social services with the homeless and people recovering from drug addictions. He shares the Gospel with them and maintains mentoring and discipleship relationships with those who receive it.
Ireland is traditionally Catholic, but the spiritual landscape is changing for the younger generation. Many of them are rejecting the religion of their parents but are still interested in spiritual things.
"It's a really hungry climate right now," Schuster explained. "People are...really not interested necessarily in what used to be the faith of the parents; the Catholic connection tends to be stronger with the older people. Younger people are searching, they're really looking for anything and everything."
Schuster asked for prayer as missionaries in Ireland respond to the new developments, especially with the Irish Bible Institute.
"We are perhaps the only existing evangelical Bible college that serves the broader evangelical church, so it's very strategic," he said. "With the rapid growth that we're experiencing and the many changes that are required because of that, we face many challenges this autumn and the years to come ahead. And economically, [evangelicals] are a small minority group in Ireland. We're less than one half of one percent. So...we definitely need prayers that God will keep providing for us, for meeting our expenses, so we can continue to serve the Irish church."
Schuster also requested prayer as God continues working in the church plant.
"It's growing, and it's doing well. And when things are happening, the enemy just doesn't sit around and twiddle his thumbs. So we would ask that you would continue to pray for the work in North County Dublin and what is happening there."
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