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

Build Strong Disciples in Greece

Native workers sharing the gospel with refugees disciple hundreds of new Christians each year, as new arrivals stream into the country while others move on to new destinations. Faith grows in weekly Bible studies, Zoom calls, WhatsApp messages and meetings with individuals. “We are sharing the gospel daily with people,” the native ministry leader said. “They come to get help with the humanitarian aid, and God touches their lives and opens doors in their hearts for us to be able to step in and share the Good News.” Workers need donations in order to proclaim Christ and follow up with new disciples. Pray the Holy Spirit will lead workers in all their efforts.

Provide Critical Aid to Refugees in Greece

As economic turmoil causes governmental and other programs to fade, more refugees are seeking ways to survive. “The projects and organizations working with refugees are closing one after the other, leading the people to despair and pushing them to leave the country as quickly as they can,” a native ministry leader said. “The remaining refugee population is in the highest need spectrum, needing so much attention and care and support and provision.” Workers seek donations of $35 or $70 to help meet the physical, legal and spiritual needs of refugees. Pray that refugees who have risked their lives to escape dangers in their home countries will find new life in Christ.

Help Spread the Gospel in Greece

Refugees have learned of Christ’s love for the first time from native Christian workers who provided them aid. Sharing the gospel with refugees in ministry offices, weekly Bible studies, home visits and online calls, workers have seen Muslims who might otherwise never have heard about Christ come to saving faith. One refugee mother who often cried over her past pains has found emotional healing and continues to visit the offices for prayer and encouragement; workers request prayer for her salvation. Donations are sought to proclaim the gospel and disciple new Christians. Pray for workers’ health, and that they would be refreshed.

Help Change Lives with the Gospel in Greece

Through Bible studies, Sunday schools and other outreaches, native Christian workers are proclaiming the Good News. A 15-year-old girl at-risk from a troubled family came to a ministry’s orphanage and recently accepted Christ. “We have been able to share the gospel with her, and her life has been transformed,” the ministry leader said. Another girl, 13, has been attending a ministry church with her father for two years. “Her love for the Lord makes others strive to seek to meet and feed on the Word of God,” the leader said. Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray the Lord would open more people’s hearts to their need for the Savior.

Help Provide Aid to Refugees in Greece

A refugee mother who was jailed for lack of legal papers was separated from her young son, who was sent to a hospital. Native Christian workers assisted in obtaining her release, reunited her with her son and helped her locate her two other children who had traveled with another family. She also received assistance in registering for asylum and gaining entry to a refugee camp, and she began attending one of the native ministry’s Bible studies. The mother and a friend put their faith in Christ. The ministry seeks donations of $35 or $70 to provide such help and meet refugees’ physical and spiritual needs. Workers request prayer for God’s wisdom, strength and provision amid much change and crisis.

Provide Aid to Desperate Refugees in Greece

A refugee with a serious disease could not obtain critical blood transfusions because he didn’t have the legal papers that hospitals required. A local missionary found a way for him to receive Emergency Room care at a hospital, where doctors found his condition so critical that they treated him for nearly a week – enabling him to get medical documentation he needed to apply for asylum. Ministry workers also help such refugees with accommodation, clothing, food and both legal and psychological counseling. Donations of $35 or $70 are sought to provide crucial aid to refugees. Pray that lives saved will become lives transformed that glorify the Lord.