Often, when people think of missions, they focus on the 10/40 window, and rightly so! The 10/40 window represents the area of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia that lies between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. Within this “window” reside over three billion people with little to no access to the gospel. We praise God for those who are working to penetrate this enemy stronghold!

However, the spiritual darkness that blinds people to the glory of Jesus in the 10/40 window also holds a vast iron grip on Europeans. In fact, missiologist, Timothy Tennant has said, “All ten of the most gospel-resistant people groups in the world are located in Western Europe.”

While the door is still open to deploy missionaries into European countries, now is the time for the church to push past the “burn” and build the muscle necessary to take on gospel advance in enemy territory!

I have often heard, after sharing with someone that we were missionaries in Italy, “Oh, I would love to go to Italy! That must have been so amazing!” It’s ironic the images that are conjured in the minds of many when Europe is mentioned. For many, it seems so “posh” and exotic! They see a chalet gently covered with fresh powdered snow in the Swiss alps or, perhaps, a luxurious villa in the hills of Tuscany warmly tinted by the setting sun.

For me, when I think of Europe, I think of a vast sea of unbelief — a flood plane of spiritual darkness shrouded in religious language and symbolism. Europe is a mission field that demands our attention and the church needs to be ready for the extra push-ups required to pull our weight.

Beyond the expected challenges all missionaries need to face (language, culture, entry), as a former missionary in Europe and current Area Leader for Western Europe who daily interacts with our missionary members, I can say that there are some unique hurdles to overcome if we are to reach the new “Dark Continent.”

First, Europeans and religion have a checkered history. I would say that, while most Europeans, at least to some degree, still identify with a form of religion, the relationship is strictly tied to national or cultural identity. When we lived in Italy, we were told that to be Italian is to be Catholic. In fact, many Italians are atheists who hold on to their Catholic identity. It is the equivalent of China’s social credit score. If you repent, trust in Jesus and then “go public” through baptism, you haven’t just abandoned your religion, you have betrayed your family and national identity. Following Christ will likely result in your being cut off socially, professionally, and most painfully, by your family. This holds true over most of Europe, though the variables change from country to country. Ireland, France, Poland, Spain, and Italy are culturally Catholic. The further east you go you may be Orthodox or Muslim, even Protestant national identities persist in the north. Missionaries to Europe cannot underestimate the resistant force of the national religious identity.

Europe’s relationship with religion also has a very traumatic side, as well. Just think about the corrupt, violent and abusive history Europe has with religion, a history persisting longer than the USA has even been a country! When a missionary begins to share about Jesus, what is shared and what is heard are often two very different messages. The European is less likely to deal with the ideas and concepts being shared than he is to question your authority for sharing them. Additionally, the association that religious ideologies in Europe have with mayhem and abuse may already have been overlaid on messenger and his message. Missionaries have to learn patience — lots of patience. It takes time and consistency to demonstrate in real life the credibility necessary for a true hearing to be granted. It’s not uncommon for even the most evangelistic of missionaries to wait years before seeing a convert. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the one who does the heavy lifting. However, because our role is to give a clear proclamation of Jesus, it also falls to us to make sure people are actually listening. To do that, we must understand the history we are up against.

This next hurdle is something I’ve personally struggled with — and it can be painful. Sometimes, at no fault of their own, the most well meaning of Christians can say something that feels like a gut punch and leave you questioning the decision you made, along with your sending church, family and friends to sell everything, pack up your family and go to your mission field. We went to Italy, because we knew the Lord had called us. We went there with a zeal for God and a desire to see souls saved, disciples matured and local bodies of believers soundly established. We went there because we could not escape the burden of Europe’s lostness and the question, “So, what are you going to do about it?” So when the last fourteen to fifteen years of our lives pursuing this passion for Christ to be worshipped in Europe occasionally gets compared to going on a long-term vacation, it can hurt. Europe needs missionaries who can endure those comments, who are secure in their calling from God, and who have no need to be noticed for their accomplishments. We know we are playing the long game. The slow progress hasn’t escaped our notice. Yet, prayerfully, we continue to cling to the reassurance that it is all still worth it and unapologetically labor to see more put Europe back on their radar!

Finally, missionaries and their churches need to be prepared to put in the extra “reps” in gym when it comes to getting there and then sustaining a life and ministry. Yes, Europe is expensive! And, compared to other places around the globe, it is like digging in concrete rather than sand when it comes to gospel receptivity. But, if you, like me can’t quiet that voice inside you trying to answer the question, “What are you going to do about it?” — then, maybe it’s time for you to get a coach, hit the gym and start your resistance training!