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Daniel is a native Austrian who grew up in the city of Krems just outside Vienna. His parents became Christians through missionaries from Oregon and Daniel committed his life to Christ at the age of 6. While studying German literature and linguistics at the University of Vienna, Daniel started a youth group in his home town. He found that he loved leading and preaching and decided to pursue full-time ministry in Austria. After graduating from the University of Vienna in 2002, Daniel and Julie moved to Chicago, where Daniel studied at Moody Graduate School. He graduated with an MDiv in 2005 and then they moved back to Austria to work with churches and youth. Daniel enjoys reading world literature, playing soccer and spending time with his three beautiful girls. He is gifted in leading and preaching.
Julie grew up in Minnesota and graduated from Bethel University where she studied elementary education. During the summers in college, she started going to Austria to put on evangelistic English Camps. Julie fell in love with the people and the country and saw the great need for Austrians to hear the Gospel. After graduating from college she moved to Austria to teach English in schools and to work with youth. Daniel and Julie met during Julie’s first year in Austria, became friends and got married in Minneapolis in 1999. Julie loves to travel, read, play piano and hike. She enjoys mentoring teenaged girls and building friendships with women and other moms.
Rebekka was born November 12, 2004. She loves to talk and sing and is always on the move. She is a great big sister and loves spending time with people!
Miriam was born January 28, 2007. She has lots of dark hair and loves to smile at people. It’s a joy to watch her grow and develop.
Our Ministry
Daniel and Julie Kistenich have been serving in Innsbruck, Austria since the summer of 2005. In Innsbruck, they did church and youth work with an evangelical church and a city-wide youth group. During the summers they have been helping to lead evangelistic English Camps.
Starting in August, 2007 they will be changing their ministry focus as Daniel has accepted a call to pastor the Baptist church in Innsbruck. The church averages 60-80 people in attendance and has had no pastor for the last nine years. They are very excited about this opportunity. Of Austria’s 120 evangelical churches, only 21 are pastured by native Austrians. It is their long-term goal to build healthy Austrian churches and reach Austrians for Christ.
Austrian Info
How many times have you seen the Sound of Music? If you are like most Americans, the answer is probably at least a few times! But did you know that the beautiful country of Austria featured in the movie is a spiritually very dark and needy country. There are only 0.4% Evangelical Christians in Austria which translates into only 1 out of every 250 people!
Fast Facts about Austria
- Population – 8,300,000
- Capital – Vienna
- Language – German
- State Religion – Catholicism
- Member of the EU
Spiritual State
Today Austria is a typical western European country, influenced greatly by secularism, pluralism and post-modernism. Through corruption and sex scandals, the Catholic Church has faced a major decline in the last decades. Since many Austrians equate Christianity with being Catholic, disillusionment and anger toward the Christian faith is the norm. There is a lack of hope in the country which shows itself in the high suicide rate among youth and widespread alcoholism.
The Evangelical Church Today
According to Operation World, 0.4% of the Austrian population are Evangelical Christians. They are often seen as members of a cult, which is especially true in rural areas. Most churches have between 50-100 attendees and are led by missionaries from Germany and Switzerland or lay leaders. There is a desperate need for theologically trained native leaders, who can provide leadership and stability to the often struggling Austrian churches. Another challenge facing the Evangelical church today is the need to reach unbelievers, especially the younger generation, in a culturally relevant way with the Gospel. Ultimately Austria’s hope is for a revival, like the one that swept the country in the 16th century during the Reformation.
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We will be glad to send you an update every couple of months.
Our Stateside Address:
Titus International
1515 McBrien Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37412
On the Field:
Daniel & Julie Kistenich
Kirschentalgasse 22/7
A-6020 Innsbruck
Austria, Europe
E-mail: kistenich@gmail.com
Blog: http://austrianadventure.blogspot.com/
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