Finland
Finland has served as a bridge between Sweden and Russia both geographically and politically throughout most of its history, falling under control of both in turn until gaining its independence in 1917 and managing to keep it through both world wars and the subsequent reign of communism. During the time most of CEE was suffering religious and economic suppression under communism, Finland made economic leaps and bounds that set it on the same industrialized level as Western Europe.
With the swift industrialization came an equally swift movement of secularization, which quickly began to show its detriment to Finnish society. The most notable damage has occurred within the now broken and bleeding institution of the family. Common-law marriages are frequent. It has become the norm in Finland for couples to live together for years before marriage, usually having at least one child out of wedlock. This practice has contributed, with the help of a new marriage act passed in 1988, to skyrocketing divorce rates. Finland, along with neighbor Sweden, currently leads Europe in divorce rates.
The country enjoys vast religious freedom, and the majority of the country is registered with the Lutheran Church. Unfortunately, Christianity is most often seen as a philosophy of life rather than a life-changing relationship with a living God; and church attendance is a token paid to that philosophy once a year during special religious ceremonies. However, a revival is brewing throughout much of the country as the people realize that their hope is being misplaced. Religious interest is increasing, and missionaries have had greater opportunities to spread genuine hope to the people. Church attendance remains low, but is slowly beginning to grow as more people are hearing about a personal Christ who longs to bind up their brokenness and make their lives complete.
If you would like to be a part of helping the peoples of Finland learn what it means to get to know Christ in a personal way, please contact us at hope4cee@pobox.com.