Albania

Southeastern Europe Theological Seminary

MEMBER SCHOOL

               Number of Graduates: 17 | Churches Impacted: 10               

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MISSION

To help the Church in the Albanian world to fulfill its disciple-making mission.

KEY DETAILS ON SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

About

  • We exist to serve local churches in Albania and Kosovo by helping them become Bible-centered communities. Our mission is to train future leaders to faithfully teach and apply the Word of God within their congregations. We believe the Gospel advances when God's Word is faithfully proclaimed and genuinely lived out.

    • Train existing pastors in expository preaching.

    • Provide quality biblical resources in the Albanian language through careful translation and printing.

    • Equip every believer with solid principles for studying the Bible, strengthening their understanding of sound doctrine, and encouraging growth in sanctification.

  • We offer a blended training model that combines modular and online learning. Classes are held both via Zoom and in person, providing flexibility and connection. Students complete their assignments through the Canvas platform and are encouraged to apply what they learn within their local church and ministry contexts.

Training

    • Bible Studies Certificate: A two-year program open to all church members, aimed at helping believers study the Bible more carefully and grow in their understanding of Scripture.

      Diploma in Expository Preaching: A four-year program designed for those called to preach and teach, with a strong emphasis on developing skills in expository preaching.

  • Our school was founded in 2005 by local church leaders, with the support of missionaries sent by Grace Community Church. It began with just six students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program. Since then, it has grown into a formal training center, currently serving 20 active students, led by three faculty members, and working in partnership with churches throughout the region.

  • Our aim is to reach churches across Albania and Kosovo with faithful biblical training. Our vision is to see churches become Bible-focused communities, where expository preaching is used to nourish and equip believers through the Word of God.

Context

  • Population: 3,107,100 (2024 est.) 

    Ethnic Groups: Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Romani, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.) 

    Note: Data represent population by ethnic and cultural affiliation

    Languages: Albanian 98.8% (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek 0.5%, other 0.6% (including Macedonian, Romani, Vlach, Turkish, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

    Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2% (2011 est.) 

    Note:  All mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice.

    Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

    Refugees (Country of Origin):  47,247 (Ukraine) (as of 30 January 2024)

    Stateless Persons:  1,948 (2022)

    Note: 47,306 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-February 2024) 

    Stats from CIA.gov

  • Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. Political turmoil quickly followed—only checked by the rule of a short-lived monarchy which collapsed in 1939 when Italy invaded Albania. During World War II, Albania fell under the control of the German military and communist partisans. The nation allied itself with the USSR until 1960 before forming an alliance with China until 1978. Multiparty democracy was finally established in the 1990’s. The era of stability was short lived, however. In 1997, government-endorsed pyramid schemes led to economic collapse, civil disorder, and the intervention of UN peacekeeping troops.  

    Albania has a high number of emigrants living outside the country; an influx of ethnic Albanians returned in 1999, fleeing military upheaval in the neighboring country of Kosovo. Kosovar Albanians are 98% Muslim, contributing to the nation’s large Muslim demographic. On the global front, Albania joined NATO in 2009 and sought official candidacy for EU membership in 2014.   

    Compiled from CIA.gov, Operation World, and Joshua Project

  • “Every material and every discussion has been a great help for me to understand the clearer picture of God since the creation of the world.”

    Marjo, Student at SETS

  • “My prayer is that I will be used by God to honor Him and encourage and counsel SETS students and other pastors in the ministry God has given the[m].”

    Genis, Faculty Member at SETS

  • “Please keep me in your prayer, that the word of God may not depart from my hand, mind and lip all the days of my life.”

    Jonida, Student at SETS

  • “Eager to learn but with few places to turn, I was greatly blessed to find SETS. The classes grounded me with a deeper appreciation for God’s word and equipped me for a lifetime of ministry.”

    Amir, Graduate of SETS

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A Story from Southeastern Europe Theological Seminary

God’s Word Transforms: The Testimony of Ramiz

The testimony of Ramiz (name changed for security purposes), a former nominal Muslim and now a follower of Jesus, is an example of God’s grace and love for Muslims and people of any background.

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