Chris and Amy Moore Serving in Lesvos, Greece

Their Bio

For over nine years Chris and Amy Moore and their three young sons lived in Athens working with refugee communities through Hellenic Ministries. 

Their Work

Over a year ago the Moores moved to the Greek island of Lesvos with Eurorelief (a humanitarian organization connected to Hellenic Ministries).  Lesvos is the entry point for thousands of refugees flooding into Europe via Turkey from across the Middle East and Africa hoping to escape turmoil back in their homeland.  Eurorelief performs many different functions in the camp for the 5,500 refugees (as of February), such as education, the distribution of food and other necessities, among other services.  As a couple, the Moores have the privilege of serving the volunteers who come and work in the camp.  They take care of their mental, emotional, and spiritual health, as the volunteers pour out their lives for the displaced.  They thank the Lord that they have a close knit, hardworking team ready to serve those who need a little hope.   In this melting pot of cultures, they always try to place an emphasis on human dignity and value, as well as what it means to serve in such an overwhelming situation filled with so much need.  In the same way that each resident of the camp has value and specific needs, so do the people who have come to serve them. 

What God is doing on Lesvos

Many of the refugees in the camp come from Islamic backgrounds, however there is a minority Christian presence as well in the camp. Inside the camp, one of the structures that exists is a mosque… There is no formal church building. Not too long ago, a few of the minority Christians came asked the Moores if they could build them a cross. They had plans to consolidate two homes in the camp into one, so that the other home could be used as a church! 

Challenges

In the middle of all the need and chaos of life at Lesvos, the Moores are raising three young boys six and under.  They often tell them why they are on the island, and what they do, so they can begin to be a light in their schools as well.  This is something they desire more and more, that their kids will begin to share their story too.

Praises

Praise the Lord for providing the needed funds to buy 451 heaters to distribute in Lesvos camp to give warmth to families during winter.  Miraculously, all funds were raised within less than a week’s time.

The Moores are grateful for their opportunity to attend a conference in Hungary focused on the education of “third culture kid” children.  It was an encouraging time to be around others from across Europe who are in a similar position. 

Prayer Requests

• For the minority Christian refugees in camp to be a Gospel witness among all those around them and for their protection as well.
• Eurorelief’s work in the camps is often the first contact refugees have with Christians. Pray that the volunteers would let their lights shine brightly for Jesus. Although it is against the law to evangelize in camp, Eurorelief volunteers have an opportunity to go beyond what is expected in serving the refugees to create curiosity and openness to learn about what makes Christians different. Pray the volunteers would give a clear personal testimony of their own relationship with Jesus when asked.
• Wisdom in prioritizing and navigating family needs with mission needs, and the grace to live that out.

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Amanda Snyder Serving in Celje, Slovenia

Her Bio

For over seven years, Amanda has been serving as a missionary based in Celje, Slovenia with Josian Venture (JV), a ministry that serves the local church in sixteen different cities in post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe.  Amanda first fell in love with Slovenia while participating in a mission trip through Fellowship several years ago. 

Her Work

Amanda’s responsibilities include leadership, project management, and strategic planning in Ministry Support for JV.  She determines how to best utilize each team member’s unique gifts for the ministry.  She also analyzes the best way the ministry can support their partner churches through JV’s strengths in music, English language training, organizing and leading camps, youth ministry, outreach, etc. 

A major focus of JV is reaching the youth of Slovenia in the hope that they will become adults who will make an impact within Slovenia.

A new project for the JV team has been to test a few new ways to bless the local churches of Slovenia and youth ministry leaders.  As they start executing their plans, their learning increases about the various needs of each church and youth ministry leadership team.

Praises

Amanda’s local church has inducted its first ever elders and deacons composed of 2 Americans and 3 Slovenes. 

Amanda is thankful that Jeff and Theresa Gipe and Amy Moore recently visited. 

Challenges

Those who are working in ministry in Slovenia are under spiritual attack all over the country.  They are seeing issues in health and in conflicts in families.  The Lord is moving in Slovenia, and the enemy is fighting hard against it.

Prayer Requests

• Praise God that He has raised up Slovene men into leadership positions in Amanda’s local church.  This is an answer to prayer!
• Protection for all the pastors, church leaders, missionaries, and their families against spiritual attack.
• For God’s guidance as JV seeks new ways of blessing local churches as they continue to reach the youth of Slovenia for Christ.