Organization dubbed Moldova the world’s leading nation in per-person
alcohol consumption.
Reports show that the average Moldovan consumes 18.22 liters of alcohol
annually—three times more than the average of 6.1 liters.
Other former Soviet nations on the list of heavy alcohol consumption included Russia, Ukraine, Estonia and Belarus.
In Moldova, there is a special provision in the government budget for
treatment of alcohol. But that government provision is not enough, and
churches are stepping forward to help alcohol abusers as well.
Slavic Gospel Association
reports that its affiliated evangelical churches are deeply grieved at
the level of alcohol abuse in their communities. SGA’s Eric Mock
recently painted a picture for the MNN audience of just how devastating
this abuse can be for families—especially children in Ukraine. And it
is certainly no better in Moldova.
In response to the crisis, many SGA churches have begun Bible-based drug
and alcohol rehabilitation ministries, which SGA partners help support
when possible. These programs not only provide care for overcoming the
addiction, but they provide the life-changing Truth of the gospel
message as well.
As these programs continue to reach the countless alcohol abusers in
Moldova, pray that many would find true freedom in Christ. Only 3.7 percent of
the eastern European nation is evangelical Christian, according to the
Joshua Project. Pray that this ministry might reach the hearts of many
of the 97 percent who have yet to truly grasp the gospel.