Austria lies in the centre of Europe - a gateway between eastern and western European countries. Over the years people have flooded to settle in Austria from the east, particularly from the former Yugoslavia. 7% of people living in Austria are from another country.

People worried about the rising number of people immigrating to Austria have given their support to a nationalistic party, the Freedom Party.

New laws in 1998 have made it harder for small and new religious groups to be recognised.

Austrian born Arnold Schwarzenneger was once described by the Guiness Book of Records and being the “most perfectly developed man in the history of the world.”

Over 75% of people call themselves Christians but at the same time 80% of Austrians have been involved with the occult.

Austria has some of the highest suicide, abortion and alcoholism rates in Europe. Pray that people will turn to Jesus to meet their deepest needs.

There is a slow growth in people becoming Christians, but there may still be less than 20,000 born-again believers in Austria.

Pray that the church can reach out to Austria’s immigrant population and refugees.