The landlocked nation of Kosova, once a region of the former Yugoslavia, has a population of around two million, of which more than 95 per cent are ethnic Albanians. Albanian is the most prevalent language, although the accent is clearly distinct to that heard in neighbouring Albania.
The city of Peja sits in the Western region of Kosova near to the border with Montenegro. With a population of 100,000 and fewer than 30 local believers, the need for the gospel is great.
Formative years
Gani Smolica, pastor of the Rruga e Paqes (Way of Peace) Evangelical Church in Peja, grew up in the city. During his childhood, his family observed some aspects of Islam, but, in the communist environment of the time, Gani would have been better described as an atheist. Having left Peja to go to Prishtina for university, Gani left behind any religious observance and reluctantly became a member of the communist party.
For an English teacher in a state school, membership of the Party was effectively mandatory. To refuse such an ‘honour’ would have resulted in a prison sentence. Gani was by no means a convinced communist, but neither did he desire a criminal record!