Loving on Neighbors and Refugees in Greece

Johnathan Macris and family
Johnathan Macris, one of Fellowship’s 12 Global Partners and president of Hellenic Ministries, shares how during this challenging season, God has been working through their ministry to bless the people of Greece.

Loving Their Neighbors Through Food Distribution

Hellenic Ministries, through their Mercy Ministries team, has been hard at work feeding their hungry neighbors during this Coronavirus season. In July and August, they distributed over 5,247 hot meals and 608 bags of food to vulnerable Greek and refugee families. While distributing the food they also were able to share the love of Christ. This food distribution led to the formation of Bible studies for both Greek-speaking and Persian-speaking new believers.

Food distribution led to people hearing the Gospel
Food distribution led to people hearing the Gospel

One family from Iran had just ran out of oil, rice, and tea, and were joyful when they opened their food bag and saw that it included those specific items! It was God’s way of encouraging them and confirming that He cares for them.

God is caring for us through this food
God is caring for us through this food
Prayer Request

Wisdom and resources in meeting the continuing physical and spiritual needs of both native Greeks and refugees.

Distributing New Testament Bibles through Operation Joshua

Despite the Covid lockdown, which eliminated the option of international volunteers this summer, God enabled the Greek team to still distribute many New Testament Bibles to hundreds of villages in Greece. The team was grateful for the personal connections with people of every social strata, including Greek Orthodox priests who warmly received both the team and the New Testaments! (This has not always been the case.) 

Prayer Requests
  • The coverage of the remaining costs of the New Testaments ($115,000).
  • Wisdom as they plan for next summer.
Operation Joshua
Operation Joshua

Assessing Needs for Refugees on Lesvos

Hellenic Ministries has had an active role helping refugees on the island of Lesvos and several teams from Fellowship have gone over through the years to support them in this effort. As many have read in the news, the refugee camp on this island designed for 3,000 ballooned to house over 20,000 refugees. Recently, fires completely destroyed the camp, all of EuroRelief’s offices, their information center, computers, and camp supplies. The refugees are now scattered throughout the streets and surrounding areas often meeting hostility from the locals. Hellenic Ministries is mobilizing a team of 50 volunteers to understand the needs and identify priorities.

Prayer Requests
  • Peace and protection for the refugees and all working to serve them.
  • Permanent homes for these refugees who are now sleeping in the roads and open spaces with no protective covering.
  • The love of Christ to prevail.
Refugee camp in Lesvos
Refugee camp in Lesvos
 

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