Greece

Partner with Local Missionaries in Greece

Located in the 10/40 Window

Known as the cradle of Western civilization, ironically Greece has a population that is largely ignorant of the Bible. While only 3.6 percent of the people on the country’s mainland and 227 inhabited islands are non-religious, the vast majority of the population knows little about the gospel or biblical faith. More than 83 percent of the population identify as Christian, most in name only as they belong to traditional churches that give little attention to the Bible; 94.6 percent identifying as Christian belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, and 3.6 percent to the Roman Catholic Church. Nearly 8 percent of the population is Muslim.

When protests in Syria in 2011 grew into an armed rebellion that included various jihadist forces, the embattled country’s people began pouring out to other countries, including Greece. By 2015, 385,525 refugees had arrived in Greece by sea, with only 8 percent of them applying for asylum as they were in transit to other parts of Europe.

There are now more than 50,000 refugees in Greece, mostly Syrian, but also many from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and parts of Africa. Of those refugees, 40,000 are living in Greek reception centers built to accommodate only 6,000. They are also facing an increasingly hostile society.

Refugees often arrive with only the clothes on their back. The practical aid that local missionaries have provided has led many refugees to want to know about Christ. Local missionaries who provide aid offer Bible studies and, for those who accept Christ, intensive discipleship training. They also undertake visits to refugee camps for Bible studies with various groups twice a month.

An indigenous ministry provides food and other basic items, with local missionaries spending much of their days trying to meet urgent physical needs – from diapers and baby formula to securing interpreters to accompany refugees to doctors appointments and hospitals. Missionaries also help refugees get their children registered for school, obtain tax numbers and apply for asylum. Donations are sought for these efforts to bring the love of Christ to the physically and spiritually troubled.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia, Missions Insider

10.4 million

Population

0.49%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Greece

Pray that refugees will not perish in transit on dangerous seas or from hostilities they encounter upon arrival but will receive the aid and orientation they need to begin their lives anew.
Pray for workers trained as counselors, interpreters, and evangelists to be available for arriving refugees.
Pray for Bible-believing churches to bring honor to Christ’s name as they make His salvation known to various ethnic groups.st.

More stories from Greece

Get the Gospel to the Young and Old in Greece

With many opportunities to share the gospel with refugees, native workers also bring the hope of Christ to nationals and their children. In a 10-week summer program for teenagers, workers presented Bible lessons using videos followed by interactive games of questions and answers. “There was a lot of laughter, sharing, games, snacks and the sowing of God’s seeds in the hearts of the children,” the ministry leader said. “We saw kids that have been withdrawn or not smiling having a blast, hearing the Word of God with interest, interacting and participating wholeheartedly.” Workers need donations of $30 or $60 to form strong disciples among these childen. Pray that gospel seeds planted will yield lifelong fruit.

Share Jesus’s Mercy With Refugees in Greece

A refugee sought help from a native ministry because she needed a place to stay and because she had psychiatric issues and needed medical help. Ministry workers placed her in short-term accommodations and eventually into a refugee camp. Their service to refugees also includes the distribution of food, diapers, clothes, and shoes, and they help people go through the proper immigration process. “Through humanitarian aid the Lord opens up ways for us to minister to these people and many have come to know the Lord as their personal Savior,” the ministry leader said. Donations of $35 or $70 are needed to care for refugees. Pray that the gospel message will bring them joy.

Share God’s Healing Love With Refugees in Greece

A refugee told workers at a native ministry’s refugee center that he suffered from epilepsy and had broken his leg during a seizure. Because the bones did not heal correctly, doctors planned to re-break the leg to properly fix it. He was depressed and in a lot of pain, so the ministry leader offered to pray with him. He agreed, and a few days later he returned, smiling and pointing at his leg. “I am no longer in pain! I can walk!” he said. “God is the great Healer!” Donations of $35 or $70 support outreach such as this to refugees. Pray they will hear the gospel and commit their lives to Christ.

Deliver Basic Necessities To The Vulnerable in Greece

Christian workers at a center for refugees provide compassionate aid to those who come to them for help, but they do not distribute Bibles because they do not want anyone to believe that taking a Bible is a requirement for having received aid. Instead, they gift Bibles to those who directly ask for one, which has created a ripple effect of sorts. In the last several months, an influx of refugees has come to the center just to ask for a Bible. Donations of $35 or $70 support compassionate aid to refugees. Pray they will open their hearts to Christ’s message of salvation.

Share Christ With Refugees Hungry for Truth in Greece

A native ministry that assists refugees has seen a huge influx of people seeking help, including one refugee who traveled four hours by bus. As they wait in line for aid, the refugees are able to read various gospel resources set out across the center, and this has presented opportunities for workers to later share the message of salvation. “I have always wanted to learn about Christianity and now I can,” one refugee said. Donations of $35 or $70 enable ministries such as this to assist refugees. Pray for doors to be opened to share the good news of Jesus.

Help Refugees Overcome Challenges in Greece

Pray for refugees as they seek a better life. A family of six refugees sought help at a local ministry’s refugee center because one of their children went missing during their journey. Ministry workers connected them with an attorney who was able to locate their child in Switzerland, but legal deadlines were fast approaching for them to be reunited. To everyone’s surprise, their documents were quickly approved, and the family was able to travel to Switzerland. “The Lord is good!” the ministry leader said. “So much of the facilitation we see in the processes of people’s lives is the immediate result of the Lord’s intervention.” Your donations of $35 or $70 support aid to refugees.

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