“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” – Luke 10:2
If you’re familiar with Greater Europe Mission, you likely know that each day at 10:02 we do just as this verse requests – we ask the Lord to send out labourers into His harvest. Each year, the Lord answers this prayer! Teams of fresh, short-term workers eager to fulfill this mandate are sent throughout Europe to assist established missionaries in spreading the Gospel. GEM’s Ten2 Project creates impact, both in those who are sent and those receiving them.
Hannah Norton, a Canadian hairdresser, was one of the eighty-four Ten2 participants serving in Europe through the summer of 2022. Her experience began with initial training in France with the entire team, but eventually landed her in Frankfurt, Germany where she spent most of her summer in language training and ministry. “You experience what a long-term missionary goes through in their first year, because you need to learn the language and put yourself in the culture and connect with a church,” Hannah says. “You have to come with an open heart and an open mind.”
Jesse Pauly, a full-time worker in Italy who oversaw six Ten2 workers over the summer, agrees. “Our two major intentions for the summer were to give our missionaries a realistic experience of what our lives and ministry look like during the summer and for them to help us make more connections with the people in our neighbourhoods.”
Germany and Italy were just two of ten countries throughout Europe impacted by the Ten2 Project this past summer. The college-aged participants sacrificed their summers to share the Gospel with a spiritually hungry continent. “It encouraged us greatly to see the boldness of these missionaries, watching them dive into the ministry and take initiative in talking to people regardless of any language barrier,” Jesse says.
“Ten2 was challenging,” Hannah remembers. “They get you out of so many different comfort zones. I’ve been on mission trips before, but this was different.” With days filled with language training, ministry, outreach, and volunteering, there is so much that takes place in only eight weeks.
Hannah’s days were filled from Tuesday to Sunday with an emphasis on speaking with university students on campuses. She learned how to effectively speak with non-believers and introduce the Gospel in an unintimidating way. One of her favourite moments was speaking with a Muslim girl about the Lord. “She had felt like there was a void in her life, like there was something that was missing, and no one could fill it,” Hannah recalls. Being able to point this girl to the Lord was a moment Hannah will always cherish.
Looking back on a fruitful summer, it’s clear that those involved will remain impacted. “I’ve realized missions is your life. You don’t have to go overseas to do missions,” Hannah states. “[But] I’d love to go back and do [Ten2 Project] again!”
“Having the Ten2 participants this summer was refreshing, encouraging, and fruitful,” Jesse remarks. “We’ve made countless new contacts, and two different Bible studies have been started as a result of this summer! We are looking forward to seeing more of the fruit from the seeds they planted.”
To see further impact in what has already started in Europe, would you pray with us that the Lord would continue to send more labourers into His harvest? Perhaps you’re a young adult with a passion to see Europe reached. Would you consider giving a summer to help us reach the lost? For more information, visit: https://gemission.ca/ten2/
