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

Help Refugees Navigate Toward Better Lives in Greece

Pray for refugees to give their lives to Jesus. A local refugee ministry recently used its new mobile ministry unit for the first time during a visit to a refugee camp on the coast. The visit was meant to be an informative one in which the ministry workers would discuss their services with the camp authorities; however, on their arrival, they were inundated with requests for help from the refugees who live at the camp. “How can you continue to serve all these people and still smile?” one refugee asked the workers, and the question led the missionaries to share the gospel with her. Your donations of $35 or $70 support ministry to refugees.

Support Missionaries as They Assist Refugees in Greece

Pray that local missionaries will trust in the Lord’s provision as they minister to refugees. When a desperate refugee family with three small children arrived at a local ministry’s refugee center, the workers immediately provided them with emergency accommodations and began the process of helping them register as asylum applicants. Because the asylum application process can take a minimum of several weeks, the ministry ensured that the family would remain in safe housing until such time that the government could transfer them to the appropriate place. Donations of $35 or $70 help missionaries assist refugees.

Share Christ With the Vulnerable in Greece

Pray for refugees as they seek a deeper understanding of the gospel. After refugees visit a local ministry for humanitarian aid, missionaries conduct follow-up visits and discipleship with those who express an interest in learning more about the gospel. “Once the people are attracted to the gospel, they join our Bible study groups and come to our facilities,” the ministry leader said. “For those who are located at a distance, such as in camps, we visit them, and for those who have relocated to other European countries or the Middle East, we follow-up and disciple with the help of technology via the internet.” Your donations assist with this evangelism and discipleship work.

“Miracle!”
How a Blind Refugee Reunited with His Family

Tal, whose name has been changed for security, was just 18 years old when he arrived in Greece as a Syrian refugee. He was alone and desperate to reunite with his mother and sister, who had already relocated to Denmark. To join them, however, he needed to apply for asylum, obtain an ID, and get a passport. But he knew next to no one, he did not speak the language, and he did not understand the legal system. Tal was also nearly blind.

Partner with Local Missionaries in Greece