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

Give Critical Assistance to Refugees in Greece

In a six-month period, missionaries assisted more than 350 refugees, providing them with legal and psychosocial support in several locations. “Despite being understaffed and under-resourced, we continue to provide food and goods and our specialized team of social workers and interpreters to assist with the various challenges they face in Greece,” the ministry leader said. Your donation of $35 will help provide aid to refugees, which often opens the door to share the gospel. Pray for more resources to help those in need.

Urge the Lost Toward Christ in Greece

While waiting for assistance at a local ministry’s refugee center, a woman discovered a children’s Bible and began to read. “She was prompted to start reading while waiting for our services,” the ministry leader said. “We saw the Holy Spirit was in control. Even when everyone was running around busy, God was working.” You can assist with such evangelism through a donation of $25 or $50. Pray the Word of God will transform those who read it.

Equip Former Muslims to Share Christ in Germany

In the months leading up to a large evangelism event, local missionaries intentionally equipped and encouraged local churches, particularly Arabic-speaking and Iranian fellowships, so that believers would be prepared to evangelize to Muslims. “The result was extraordinary,” the ministry leader said. “For the first time, Arabic and Iranian churches came together, boldly proclaiming the gospel side by side in the streets.” Your donations support such evangelism and discipleship. Pray the joy of the Lord will shine through His children.

Assist Destitute Refugees in Greece

Local missionaries are overwhelmed by the needs of refugees they encounter and have traveled to meet with and encourage those desperate for help. Recently, they witnessed refugees walking one mile just to get clean water. The missionaries shared the gospel and prayed with them, helped with legal paperwork, and took phone numbers for follow-up. You can assist refugees with your donation. Pray for those displaced from home, that they might find rest.

Help Refugees Come to Christ in Greece

Local missionaries meet with and assist refugees who come to them for help on a daily basis. Though they initially come for humanitarian aid, many visit the missionaries again and again as the Holy Spirit begins to work in their hearts. “Once the people are attracted to the gospel, they join our Bible study groups and come to our facilities,” the ministry leader said. Missionaries also travel to refugee camps for discipleship purposes.

Guide the Downtrodden to Jesus in Greece

A young Syrian medical student got into trouble and fled to Greece. Upon his arrival, he connected with a local ministry that not only helped him obtain the necessary immigration documents but also ministered to him with the love of Jesus. Initially, he hoped to leave the country and go someplace else, but because of the love he received from these Christian workers, he not only gave his life to Jesus and was baptized, but he also decided to stay and help the ministry. Donations support missionaries in their outreach to the lost.