"In Austria," says Andy Moules, campus director in Salzburg, home of Mozart, "A university professor is more highly regarded than a rock music star." As a result, Andy and his team invite Christian professors to speak at the university a couple of times each semester.
Though Austria is one of the most Catholic countries in Europe, similar to Poland and Ireland, 97 percent of people in cities do not attend church, according to national director Peter Heinz. And some 40,000 people a year leave the church. "The key is to take an Acts 17 approach," says Peter. "As Paul told the Greeks, 'you are a religious people. Let me tell you about a God you don't know.' Austrians know about the Creator God, but it takes time to convince them that they just need Jesus. Our mission is to tell people that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life."
In keeping with this mission, Andy invited German professor Carsten Peter Thiede to speak to Salzburg students on "The Historical Jesus." Some 90 students filled the largest lecture hall on campus last November 5 to hear Thiede, a world-renowned expert on papyrus text styles. Most students responded positively, with several wanting more information about Jesus.
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