The Worship Network

According to Michael Herbst, co-director of the Institute for the Study of Evangelism and Community Development at the University of Greifswald, more than 70% of East Germans know virtually nothing about Christianity.

"Ulrich Parzany succeeded Billy Graham as the main speaker at ProChrist evangelistic meetings, held about every three years since reunification," writes an article on the topic in Christianity Today. "Parzany says he was standing in front of a Berlin church as some young adults passed by. Referring to the giant crucifix over the entrance, one of them asked, 'Who is that guy hanging up there?'"

This ignorance is both good and bad. In contrast to their parents--who are more actively anti-Christian--today's young people have few preconceived negative ideas about the faith. However, they also have little desire for more understanding.

But local ministry leaders are seeing encouraging signs.

"Jim Garrington, a Salvation Army officer in Dresden, says that on a small scale, evangelism has led to slower, unsensational conversions after which the spiritually curious watch for consistency in evangelists' lives," says the CT article.

"'We've seen very few … snap conversions. People will hang around for months, and then you start to see a change in their attitude and behavior,' said Garrington. 'You ask them about it, and they'll say, 'I asked Jesus into my heart months ago.'"