The First Light in Dragash: A Breakthrough Among the Gorani
Dragash, during a Compel visit in 2024
High in the rugged southern mountains of Kosovo, in a town shaped by centuries of tradition and religious heritage, something historic has happened. For the first time that we know of, a member of the Gorani people in Dragash has surrendered her life to Christ.
Among the Unreached in the Balkans
The Gorani are a small Muslim people group residing primarily in southern Kosovo, with additional communities in Albania and North Macedonia. They live in relative isolation in the mountainous Gora region and speak a South Slavic dialect known as Našinski. Deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, the Gorani are often considered part of the broader Bosniak or Slavic Muslim identity of the Balkans.
According to the Joshua Project, the Gorani of Kosovo have a population of approximately 14,000, with around 5% identifying as Christian—but 0.00% as evangelical. In practical terms, this means that while some may bear a Christian identity culturally or historically, there is no known Gospel witness or evangelical community among them. Until now.
A Frontier of Faith in Dragash
Dragash, a highland town in southern Kosovo, is nestled within pine-covered slopes and flanked by snow-capped ridgelines. Its people are warm and traditional, yet wary of outsiders—especially when it comes to matters of faith. The Muslim call to prayer echoes daily from its modest mosques, and Islam remains deeply interwoven with local identity.
It’s here that Compel International partnered with Pastor Bardhyl Morana from a Brethren Church in Prizren, Kosovo, alongside his wife Izeta and our regional field coordinator. Together, we began a quiet, persistent effort to build relationships among the Gorani in Dragash.
Over the course of nearly two years, Pastor Bardhyl and Izeta regularly visited the community—sharing meals, listening well, and reflecting the love of Christ in both word and deed. Some days brought resistance; other days, surprising openness. Through it all, they remained present.
Blerta’s Breaking Point
One of those they encountered was Blerta, a 41-year-old mother of three daughters. Blerta had long wrestled with spiritual questions but never experienced peace. During a season of deep emotional darkness, she turned to Islamic practice—praying five times a day, hoping for clarity. But her anxiety deepened, and she felt more lost than ever.
On her birthday, overwhelmed by despair and contemplating suicide, Blerta received a simple phone call. It was Izeta, calling to wish her a happy birthday. That unexpected moment of kindness opened the door for a deeper conversation.
Izeta and Pastor Bardhyl visited Blerta that same day. As they sat with her, listened, and prayed, Blerta shared her longing for truth—and in that moment, she chose to put her faith in Christ.
“I had no reason to live! But I had been hoping—hoping that God would find me.”
The First Known Believer
To our knowledge, Blerta is the first follower of Christ among the Gorani in Dragash, and perhaps, in all of Kosovo. Her decision was deeply personal, but its implications are profound. In a close-knit, historically Islamic community, even quiet faith can bring tension. And yet, Blerta now radiates the joy of someone who has finally found home.
Her transformation is not just about one woman—it is the seed of something new in a place where the Gospel has been silent for generations.
A Long-Awaited Harvest Begins
This breakthrough is the fruit of years of patient investment, persistent prayer, and Gospel presence through local leaders. As Compel International continues to support the Moranas and others reaching the Gorani, we look forward with hope—trusting that God is not finished in Dragash.
“Glory be to Christ. He has broken the silence in Dragash.”