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About Us

The Communist regime in Albania declared constitutionally in 1968 that God did not exist, making it the first and only atheistic country in the world. The succeeding generations were denied religious freedom. In 1991 God re-opened the doors of our land so the Gospel could be preached. In July of that year by the grace of God the Gospel was preached by a large group of missionaries. Many people who were thirsty to hear the word of God came to listen and more than 60 people accepted Christ and were baptized. The Disciples of Jesus Church was established at the end of this campaign and experienced immediate growth. Within the first decade Albanian leaders were raised up to lead the church. In addition, new churches were planted in Shkoder, Ibe, Tepelna, and Gjakove, Kosovo. Today, The Disciples of Jesus Church is made up of about 250 believers. Our call is to be obedient disciples of Christ, to worship Him and to make Him known to this generation, throughout the Balkans. We are inspired and led by the vision and faith that God is going to use His church to transform our society and to preach the Gospel to all nations.

History of Biblical Worship

Worship played an important role in Israel. In the Old Testament we see that worship was an integral part of God’s people. Israel’s worship had God and His covenant at its center. God, who made a covenant with Abraham, also made a covenant with the whole nation of Israel. For this reason Biblical worship is called corporate worship. So, worship is an expression of loyalty to the God of the covenant and our response to the revelation of Him in our lives.

For this reason we see the same model of worship in the New Testament, that of corporate worship. We’re told that the believers gathered together to pray and worship both in their homes and in the temple. Acts 2:42. This is why we continue to this day gathering together to worship or to turn towards Him as a group, as His people.

Five main elements of the early church were:

  • Teaching
  • Community
  • Breaking bread
  • Prayer
  • the reading of the Word

Worshipping with instruments or vocals

  • Music, be it instrumental or vocal, played a major role in Israel’s worship. Many Hebrew words refer to playing instruments in praise to God
  • David instituted some changes in the way the Israelites worshipped but specifically he introduced the use of musical instruments in worship. I Chronicles 23-27.
  • Understanding history can help us understand where we need to go in the future.

(Resource: The Biblical Foundations of Christian Worship, Robert E. Webber, editor)

Vision

“Our goal is that in loving God, cultivating a lifestyle of worship, under the authority of the local church and through it to: empower, encourage and motivate the Albanian church in worship to God so that people will experience and manifest the presence of God in their lives.”

We want to see godly worship leaders raised up and talented musicians prepared and trained to lead God’s church in worship.

We also want to see a revolution of creativity in the composition of native songs that will express the Albanian heart in worship.

We want to see the creation of a network of cooperation about worship where pastors and leaders from local churches can come and share information and resources related to worship.