History of Austria
As is true of many of the nations of Europe, Austria’s history is long and rich. They are perhaps best know for the centuries long dynasty that ruled much of Central and Western Europe, the Hapsburgs. The first Hapsburg rulers came to the throne in the late 1200s and then controlled much of Central Europe until the final close of the empire in 1918. The Hapsburgs were violently Catholic and all within the kingdom was to be Catholic, thus establishing the long Catholic tradition of Austria. In WWII, Hitler incorporated Austria into Germany and forced their men to fight on the eastern front throughout much of the war. When WWII was over, the Republic of Austria was formed. Spiritually speaking, Austria is still a Catholic dominated country, but many have left the faith through disillusionment and despair. There are many new churches and movements springing onto the scene, but the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are still too few.

Quick Facts

  • Full name: Republic of Austria
  • Population: 8.2 million (via UN, 2006)
  • Capital: Vienna
  • Area: 83,871 sq km (32,383 sq miles)
  • Major language: German
  • Major religion: Catholic
  • Monetary unit: 1euro = 100 cents
  • Main exports: Machinery, metals, paper, textiles, food, livestock
  • GNI per capita: US $36,980 (World Bank, 2006)
Franz & Gerlinde Lippi
Franz & Gerlinde Lippi founded Exousia Church over 20 years ago in the city of Graz, Austria. Over the years, Franz has moved far beyond his own local church to found Blast Ministries, a group of leaders from Austria and the Balkan nations dedicated to seeing God’s Kingdom come to the Balkans. They have helped spark the planting of many churches, the powerful teaching of the Word of God through the Ministry of Alan and Eileen Vincent and built an excellent set of relationships throughout the nations there. Blast Ministries is an excellent partner of PI in Austria and the Balkans. PI’s work in Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and the Southern Balkan nations of Albania, Montenegro, and Macedonia is all conducted under the leadership of the Blast Ministries Team.
Click on flag to see more facts about Austria from the CIA World Factbook
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PI School
The Graz Advanced School is a more in depth study on certain topics. The school is ran in partnership with Blast Ministries.