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A Month of Missions-Minded Prayer

Prayers are vital to the longevity and influence of missionaries in the places they’re sent. Though they may carry impressive knowledge or have an inspiring willingness to serve, their own human strength isn’t always going to be enough—they need help. Thankfully, we serve an all-powerful God who is faithful to intervene in ways beyond our own limitations. 

Though not everyone will call themselves an intercessor, as believers, we are all called to pray. Why not press in closer to God and support a global worker through intentional prayer? Why not choose one month this year to devote to serving a worker in a way that is powerful and effective? 

If you’re up for the task of committing a month to prayer, consider following our guide to lead you. Each prayer can be offered on behalf of a specific worker or the mission field in general. If you are personally connected to a global worker, we encourage you to reach out and ask them if they have any specific prayer needs. Incorporate those into your month of prayer and let them know you’re lifting them up. 

Let’s jump in expectantly, knowing that He is capable of answering each and every one of our prayers! 

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Week One 

Focus: The Worker’s Relationship with God 

Day 1: Take a moment to lift the global worker up in prayer. Pray that they may be confident in God’s Word, knowing it to be not only trustworthy and reliable, but living! 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Day 2: Pray today that the worker would be filled with God’s Spirit—a vital requirement for being effective on the mission field. 

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:16-18, 22-23 

Day 3: Let’s pray that the worker will continue growing in their faith, becoming fully mature in Christ. 

“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:13-14 

Day 4: Just as we all need rest, pray especially for the spiritual rest of the worker today.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 

Day 5: Sometimes it’s hard to be obedient when the Lord asks you to do something you’re uncomfortable doing. Pray today that the worker would be obedient, that it may lead to the salvation of others and more glory to God. 

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19 

Day 6: Pray today for victory for the worker when experiencing spiritual warfare.  

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Day 7: Pray that the worker will hold firm, continually knowing and remembering their identity in God. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 

Week Two 

Focus: The Worker’s Country of Service 

Day 8: Pray for the protection of the sovereignty of the country. 

“And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil animals out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.” Leviticus 26:6 

Day 9: Pray for the country’s leader(s) to be responsible and wise. 

“Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.” Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 

Day 10: Pray for blessings over the land. 

“I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit, and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.” Ezekiel 34:26-27 

Day 11: Many people have prayed prayers over the land that the worker is serving in. Pray that those prayers will be answered. 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 

Day 12: Pray for peace among the residents of the country. 

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 

Day 13: Pray for provision for the people—that it may be a prosperous nation. 

“All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.” Psalm 104:27-28 

Day 14: Pray that there would be revival and a spiritual awakening across the nation. 

“Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” Psalm 80:19 

Week Three 

Focus: The Worker’s Wellbeing 

Day 15: Pray for the worker as they continue learning the country’s language and culture. Pray they would adjust well and not be stressed. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

Day 16: Pray that the worker would collaborate well, and not quarrel, with the other Christians in their serving country. 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 

Day 17: Pray that even when things get hard, they will still find joy. 

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 

Day 18: Pray for Christ-like humility to characterize the worker. 

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 

Day 19: Pray for the worker’s financial provision. 

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 

Day 20: Pray for the worker’s physical health. If you know they need healing, pray for healing; otherwise, pray that the worker remains healthy. 

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 NASB 

Day 21: Pray for the worker’s mental health. Christian workers are not exempt from depression, anxiety, and other mental hardships. Pray for healing where it’s needed, and for their faith to remain firm in all circumstances.  

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

Week Four 

Focus: The Worker in Action 

Day 22: Pray for unity and effectiveness among their team.  

“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 

Day 23: Pray that God would use the worker, and those they are connected with, to plant and multiply churches successfully.  

“…Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 

Day 24: Pray that the Gospel message will be clear through them. 

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” Colossians 4:3-4 

Day 25: Pray that God will open the hearts of the people in that nation. 

“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:14 

Day 26: Pray that the worker would have perseverance to continue the good work. 

“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB 

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NASB 

Day 27: Pray that the worker would successfully make disciples. Pray for a multiplication of disciples across the worker’s serving country! 

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 

Day 28: Pray that God reveal Himself through the worker with signs and wonders. 

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.” Acts 14:3 

Thank you for your commitment in pursuing God’s Kingdom here on earth! We hope that spending a month in prayer has brought you closer to God and has stirred more passion in what He’s doing through missions. 

 Want to join in prayer but would rather have a printable version of this prayer calendar?

Click below for the PDF:

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Did you know?

This article, and others like it, can be found on the Global Missions Toolbox – a resource created by The Sending Collective.
Check it out here: https://globalmissionstoolbox.com

Written by:

Leanne Monge Barrera

Leanne Monge Barrera is currently serving in central Canada as a storyteller and social media content creator with GEM Canada. She also serves at home, homeschooling her four children.

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Loving Your Neighbour this Christmas

With Europe’s Christian history, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Christmas traditions reflecting the birth of Jesus can still be spotted. Even so, how many Europeans fully and truly grasp the meaning behind this holiday?   

As shop windows display nativity scenes and cultural traditions may include attending church, the door to Gospel conversations has already been cracked open. Global workers who have invested their time building relationships and serving their communities throughout the year are uniquely positioned to open these doors further.  

The Gift of Time

One way we can show love to our neighbours is simply by gifting them our time. With Christmas being a notoriously busy season, sharing treasured moments with a neighbour can make a heart-felt impact.   

“Last year we invited a couple of Iranian students to our house to decorate cookies,” Nick Scholl, a GEM worker in Italy, shares. “They loved the experience! We got to share why we’re here and what we believe while having a fun time decorating.”    

Realizing the opportunity, Nick continues, “This year, we are again opening our home to two Italian couples and their children to do the same.”   

Phil Gottschalk, who serves in Romania, is also using the gift of time to reach others. “We’ll be having an evangelistic Bible study with a couple who are refugees from Bucha, Ukraine.” This, in addition to a Christmas service and meal outreach his church will be hosting on December 22nd, are just some of the ways Phil will be spreading the Gospel this Christmas season.   

The Gift of Generosity

Another way of showing love is by giving a physical gift. Giving a gift means that you’ve thought intentionally of the other person, and that they are deserving of your resources.   

“Each year [for Christmas] we give our neighbours a small gift, message of encouragement, and verses of Scripture that focus on the Reason for the Season,” Dwight Poggemiller, serving in Romania, shares. “In this way, we have touched over 250 households in our neighbourhood with the message of Christmas, and it has opened a number of Gospel conversations!”  

Nick Scholl’s family also sees the value in reaching their neighbours through gift-giving.  

“For the last three years, we have used the Christmas season as an excuse to bake cookies and American desserts for people and families we know in the neighbourhood,” he says. 

The Gift of Christmas 

For non-Europeans who left their passport countries for a new life in Europe, the idea of Christmas may be altogether foreign. Doors are open to reveal the reason for the festive decor they see and the merriment in the air.  

“One of the challenges, that is also an opportunity, is the fact that Muslim background believers (MBB’s) don’t have any cultural practices tied to Christmas,” Roy Nagelkirk, a worker in France, starts.  

“We decided as a team to invite them to a Christmas celebration in our home. The central part of our time together is going through the Christmas story using an advent wreath with candles and the verses that go through the various aspects of the story, and of course eating, praying, singing Christmas carols, and even playing some games together.”  

Roy adds that it has been almost 20 years of celebrating Christmas this way for a number of his MBB friends and their children. 

Praise God for these open doors to share the Gospel! As we approach Christmas this year, let’s remember to keep our brothers and sisters overseas in our prayers as they reach their neighbours for Christ. And let’s not forget to share some love to our own neighbours while we’re at it. Open doors to Gospel conversations are everywhere! How will you love your neighbours this holiday season?

  

Written by:

Leanne Monge Barrera

Leanne Monge Barrera is currently serving in central Canada as a storyteller and social media content creator with GEM Canada. She also serves at home, homeschooling her four children.

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Testimonies from the Olympics

The 2024 Olympic Games had its fair share of newsworthy moments. Whether you tuned in or not, it’s likely you heard of some of the victories and controversies that took place over the two-and-a-half-week period. How much of what you heard, though, pointed to God? With the nations of the world gathered in one city, surely God had a role to play.  

The global workers in France––and even some the Olympic athletes––understood this winning opportunity and chose to make space for God to be seen and known during this historic time.  

And whatever you do… do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Displaying God’s Love Through Art 

Beyond the Village walls, GEM workers were finding ways to intentionally share the Gospel.   

Though typically closed during the hot summer months, Agapé Hub—an art gallery in the city center—remained open for the Games with a specific theme: Hymnal:Humanity Gathered. “The theme was kind of complex, but essentially looks at aspects of a hymn that kind of unites and draws people together,” Emilee Irwin, the organizer of the exhibition and GEM’s Arts Impact Zone leader, explains.  

“There were artists that used Scripture in their artworks, and there were GemStone Media short films that we showed, which were parables from the Bible that were retold in modern settings,” Emilee recounts. “There were people who [understood that the art was faith-based], and for sure people that didn’t. We had a sheet available for everybody to take that explained the theme a little bit and how each artist interpreted that.”  

“[Visitors] could tell that there was something different about the space,” says Karly Manuel, a GEM worker based in Greece who served at the gallery during the Games. “They couldn’t put their finger on what it was, but something was different, or they felt at peace when they would walk in; they could tell that the atmosphere was different than what they were used to…the Holy Spirit was clearly in that place.”  

Karly Manuel’s painting
which was displayed at the gallery.

The gallery served not only as a place to point visitors to their Creator, but also as a place to unite artists from different locations and ministries.   

“It was really cool for me, as an artist, to be in a space where other artists were working,” Karly shares. “It’s important for us to have community with each other because that’s kind of where our creativity feeds off—we feed off each other! It was life-giving, and I walked away from that trip reminded of how important it is for Christian art to exist in the world—for Christians to be making art.”   

Emilee adds, “It was really a collaborative effort… We had four GEM artists, but then three local artists from the Agape Hub network as well. It was great to see people come together who didn’t really know each other before, but they were kind of united through their love of the arts and their love for Jesus, too.”  

Seeing God Move Through Collaboration 

Also understanding the importance and impact of teamwork is Tom Hawkins—seasoned GEM-France worker since 1994. In preparation for the Olympic Games, he sought partnership with other organizations, which led to the birth of Ensemble2024, a framework within which ministries, churches, and individuals could share ideas and resources both for the Games and after. “We wanted the spirit of collaboration to be the legacy of the Games,” Tom says. “It’s vital that we learn to work together so even more can take that step of faith.”

“We estimate that at least 2,500 disciples of Jesus Christ from France and around the world were involved in ministry this summer nationwide,” says Matthew Glock, a pastor in Paris who co-created Ensemble2024. “They were connected to at least 76 different ministries. We also estimate that at least 50 churches from Paris were involved in these activities.”  

Matthew continues: “When it comes to what was accomplished, there were at least 500 events during the games!” touching multiple spheres of life ranging from the arts and music to social justice to sports, all offering opportunities to share faith. 

One might think, with the Games being such a grand event, that security measures would be an obstacle, making ministry difficult. Those with Ensemble2024 were pleasantly surprised. 

“The police, the military, and the local authorities were really open; they had no problem with what we did,” Tom Hawkins says. “[With this freedom], we saw well over 1,000 people sharing Jesus Christ here in the Paris area alone with both Parisians and with people from around the world who were here for the Games.”   

Even more impressive, over 700,000 pieces of literature clearly explaining the Gospel—in multiple languages—were handed out. Because of this one event, God’s Word is now further being spread and known throughout the reaches of the world!  

The number of opportunities seized are amazing considering the state of France––and the world.  

“The people here are hungry,” Tom states. “There’s a lot of stuff out there that’s being offered; there’s the occult, there are drugs, there are other opportunities, and that’s why we needed to be here with the opportunity of the Gospel. There were countries represented here during the Games that don’t have a gospel witness or a gospel testimony…so they [had] the opportunity to see that here.”  

Now that the Olympic Games have wrapped up, should all the ministry endeavors come to an end, too? As Ensemble2024 notes, evangelism efforts “should not be limited to a single event but become the beginning of ongoing mobilization to impact our surroundings. Every opportunity—whether sporting, cultural, religious, or social—is a chance to share Christ’s love and bring hope…Let’s not see this period of the Games as the end, but as a springboard to continue serving and inspiring our communities.”  

If you’d like to learn more about how God GEM missionaries as well as our partners during the Olympic Games and what continues to be done today, you can visit: https://www.ensemble2024.com/en/blog/  

Written by:

Leanne Monge Barrera

Leanne Monge Barrera is currently serving in central Canada as a storyteller and social media content creator with GEM Canada. She also serves at home, homeschooling her four children.

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Stories from Our Missionaries: God’s Call to Europe

How do you know what God is calling you to do?    

In a world of seemingly endless possibilities, it may feel overwhelming to find the answer. Perhaps you know you’re meant to serve missionally––but do you know how?   

Thankfully, as we spend time with God, He speaks to us. He tells us, often uniquely, what is best for us, directing our path. Greater Europe Mission’s global workers are no exception. God called each to serve in a continent that is hungry for truth, but lacking in true Gospel teachings.  

These GEM workers shared with us the unique ways God called them to serve in Europe.   

***  

DP Strellman found God directing him to great need and historic opportunity in Russia.  

In 1990, I was between jobs and spoke fluent Spanish. I thought perhaps God could use my business skills in some way in Latin America, so I loaded a backpack and travelled for four months in Mexico, Ecuador, and Chile. At the end of the trip, I realized that God had plenty of workers there. I wasn’t really needed.


When the Berlin wall fell in 1989, many countries were opened to the Gospel for the first time in years. In 1992, I headed to Moscow, not knowing a word of Russian. I served in a new bilingual church and helped in the Moscow Billy Graham crusade where 100,000 came to hear the Gospel. I ended up serving Russian evangelists for 12 years during the most open years of its history, which led to another 18 years serving in Eastern Europe where the need is still great. I am so glad I didn’t limit myself to Latin America!  

***  

Allison De La Torre’s sister lived in Europe for over 15 years and married a German, so the continent already had a big place in Allison’s heart.  

In November 2022, God clearly spoke to me that He was calling me overseas for His mission. As I pursued different options, I learned about GEM, and I had both peace and major excitement. The kind of work I’ll get to do with GEM aligns with multiple dreams of mine…God has clearly written this as the next step in my “career” journey.  

Allison’s heart goes out to those who intentionally or unintentionally keep Jesus at a far distance. She hopes as she moves from missionary appointee to cross-cultural worker, she’ll see a revival like that of the Acts Church 2000 years ago.   

***  

Dave Zehr’s obedience to God’s calling led to a successful church plant in Austria.  

When I completed my junior year at Taylor University in 1952, the quartet I was singing with was asked to go to Germany to help Youth for Christ with tent campaigns for the summer. We saw approximately 1,000 decide for Christ that summer, but then learned from some of the young people that they had no local gospel preaching church in their area. At that moment, a seed was planted in my heart.  

Four years later, after determining God was leading my wife and me to Germany, we went to a small church in Ohio for some pastoral experience. During that time, we were appointed with GEM and in April of 1962, we headed for Germany, fully supported at $435 per month.  

After leading Dave and his wife to Germany, and then to Austria––where there were no GEM missionaries––He connected them with a zealous, local Christian lady. Together, they started a home Bible study that is now currently one of the largest Evangelical churches in Austria.   

***  

“My life has been made up of God presenting me with opportunities of many types, and serving Him in Europe is no exception,” Fred Naff starts.  

I went to Florence, Italy for my last year of college, studying architecture. While I was there, I met a couple with InterVarsity (IFES) and joined a summer evangelism team in the town of Perugia after my studies were done. I ended up going back to Perugia two years later with InterVarsity to try to reach university students for Christ. While I was there, I met my wife, who is Greek, and I moved to Greece to marry her in 1988. We thought of leaving Greece for the US, but the Lord brought me an opportunity to serve Him as an architect with GEM. So, I started doing that in 1995 and have been doing it ever since with GEM Design Group.  

*** 

Kathy Stalnaker spent 34 years serving in Belgium and the Netherlands, but it all started in the US.  

Not long after we were married, Cecil and I decided to attend the Urbana Missions Conference to see what the Lord would show us. Each evening in their sports arena, we watched a multi-media presentation about a different part of the world. On the evening that they featured Europe, we were both struck by all the cathedrals there that were mostly empty.   

A few years later, at GEM’s candidate school, we learned that there was a need for professors in the French side of the Belgian Bible Institute. We also learned that in the US there was one Christian worker for every several hundred people, while in Belgium there was only one Evangelical worker for every 32,000 people.  

Through these findings, God stirred their hearts to serve, leading the Stalnakers to become full-time missionaries in Belgium and the Netherlands.    

***  

As a new believer at 21, Mo Blackmon barely understood her own faith, let alone missions.  

God brought Debbie Williams (now Deborah Bourbeau) into my life, and we quickly became close friends. Her parents––GEM missionaries in Sweden––invited us and two others to join them in the newly independent country of Latvia where GEM had just been invited to start a new work. This led to a desperate need for understanding if God Himself was calling me to Latvia or if the calling was just for my friends.  

Mo began asking others how they understood their call, looking for her own answer, but to no avail. They each gave her a unique reply, none of which resonated with her.   

At the fall conference of my final year of Bible college, Dr. Helen Roseveare spoke. She said, “I want to talk with you about how to know God’s calling on your life.” I literally sat up straight in my chair, certain that this was God responding to the question of my heart.  

I was not disappointed. She spoke from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, saying that if you have answered God’s initial call to become a new creation in Christ, then the following Scriptures applied to you as well: God has therefore given you the ministry of reconciliation, He is entrusting to you that message of reconciliation, you are therefore an ambassador for Christ. That was it! I later left the auditorium and walked around the edge of town by the wheatfields in the cool prairie evening, praying, “Okay God, I know you are calling me to Latvia. I’ll go! Where is that again?!”  

We four college grads were invited to Latvia for an initial eight months. At last year’s Annual Conference, three of the four of us celebrated 30 years of God’s faithfulness in His call for us to serve him in Latvia.  

***  

God made the paths clear to these individuals because they were listening.  

Are you listening?    

Is God calling you to serve missionally or perhaps support those who are already serving in obedience? If you’d like to explore the options of serving in Europe, contact [email protected]. 

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Preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics: Are Christian Workers Ready?

Welcoming a new year often brings renewed anticipation for what’s to come. For the country of France, 2024 brings its own level of anticipation, though much greater in scale and with more required preparation than our own resolutions may require. 

Since 2017, the world has known the 2024 Summer Olympics would be hosted in the vibrant city of Paris. Following the announcement of this honour, Paris, and other cities across France, began the process of preparing for the games.   

“Any major sporting event will inject a certain amount of excitement to the community,” says Tom Hawkins, a Greater Europe Mission worker in Paris.  

Hawkins partners with Go+ France, a Christian association with the goal of uniting around the passion of sport, leisure, and fitness. “In 2016, when the European football championships took place in France, churches and ministries had open doors to planning events that involved the community because of the environment that the sporting event created.”   

With only about seven months until the games, missionaries and ministers across Paris are again considering how best to utilize the unique opportunity a large influx of people coming to the city brings. It’s not every day the world comes to their doorstep! 

Ministering during the Olympic games extends far past sports ministry or ministering within a church building. Events that will take place amidst the Olympics are being thoughtfully and creatively planned and will be supported by Conseil National des Évangéliques de France (National Council of Evangelicals of France, or CNEF).  

“Under the banner of Ensemble 2024, ministries interested in doing things before, during and after the games are growing in number,” reports Hawkins. “Festivals, art exhibits, events surrounding the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell’s story,”—the subject of the film, Chariots of Fire—” even a Christian fashion show.”  

Without a doubt, ideas and opportunities to reach people with the Gospel abound during this exciting time. However, this does not come without its challenges.   

“I imagine the biggest question we are all asking is the question of space,” says Doug Irwin, GEM missionary and church planter in the twelfth arrondissement of Paris. “Paris is already generally tight on space. Apartments are small, hotels are limited. I really don’t know where this city plans to host everyone. That can also make ministry hard.”  

In addition to the limited space, the ability to conduct outreach and evangelism efforts during a massive global event may also be limited. Heightened attention around things like protests and demonstrations, and the resulting high level of security is also a concern for missionaries in Paris.   

Despite the challenges that are brought by hosting the Olympics in a city like Paris, missionaries and ministers are hopeful. “The Olympic committee is encouraging every town, village, and city to participate in Terre de Jeux, and almost 4,000 have signed up,” notes Hawkins.  Through this “Land of the Games” program – whose goal is to have the entire country playing a part in the Olympics – local churches throughout the country will have increased opportunities for outreach efforts and hosting events for visitors and locals, alike. 

As GEM workers stationed in France prepare for the fantastic ministry opportunity that awaits them, will you consider joining us in prayer? We pray that God will open doors, give Christian workers creative ideas to participate in and serve the community, and boldness to present the Gospel in a loving way. 

If you would like more information on Ensemble 24 and other Paris ministry opportunities, contact [email protected]. 

beenhere

Originally Written by Emma Turner, GEM missionary in Paris, France.
Revised for GEM Canada by Leanne Monge Barrera

Read original article here: https://gemission.org/paris-2024-olympics-a-nation-in-preparation/ 

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Inside Look: How GEM Supports Its Female Missionaries

Have you ever fallen victim to the trap of a busy lifestyle? Often, the fruit of this culturally encouraged way of living is stress, exhaustion, and missed opportunities to build relationships. If we are to be effective followers of Jesus, then we need to take care of ourselves, and make time for others. 

Dawn Sanders of GEM noticed the importance of helping women in missions find the rejuvenation and rest they need to continue serving effectively and created a ministry within the organization called Connecting Hearts. 

What began in 2012 is now an ongoing, successful ministry catering to the women of GEM. “The goal is to connect to God, connect to others, and connect to yourself, because if you don’t know yourself at all, then really, how are you connecting to God and how are you connecting to others?” Dawn puts.  

Though Connecting Hearts, under the umbrella of GEM’s wellness department, serves women throughout the year with any needed prayer or counseling, the highlight of this ministry is its annual women’s retreat. 

“Sometimes, [in the business of life], we lose sight of our first love,” Dawn explains. “These retreats are where we can kind of reconnect that relationship and be reminded of who our first love is.” These thoughtfully prepared retreats are filled with a variety of tools and activities; such as times of reflection, journaling, prayer, counseling, teaching, time spent in nature, and physical activity; these retreats are instrumental in reviving a woman’s well-being.  

Though these retreats aren’t intended to ‘fix’ problems that women may have, they create space for the Holy Spirit to move and speak to them where they’re at. “We want it to be a community where they could go deeper and really listen to God and the Holy Spirit, and share on deeper matters of the heart,” Dawn explains. 

“For me,” Emily Nichols begins, “one of the sweetest moments [at my first Connecting Hearts retreat] came when a small group of us walked a prayer labyrinth on the floor. As we slowly walked this labyrinth toward the center, ‘The Heart of God’, I heard Him say, “Panic attacks are not my will for your life.” It was exactly what I needed to hear from the Lord to know the monthly, night-long sessions of anxiety and terrible heartburn were not what the Lord intended for me. He revealed His gentleness and kindness to me in that moment, and I treasure that.” After this experience, Emily has gone on to attend these retreats regularly. 

Leslie Hall, another participant in the retreats admits: “Normally, I’m not a huge fan of ‘women’s retreats’ because nine times out of ten, the content has been disappointing and not applicable, and I just haven’t enjoyed those experiences. Connecting Hearts wasn’t anything like previous women’s retreats I had been on; the content was deep, meaningful, and applicable to anyone in any life stage, and I deeply enjoyed the connectivity with women I’d not normally get a chance to interact with in GEM.” 

Emily agrees: “Perhaps you think women’s retreats are cheesy or not your thing, but I can tell you that the team planning and putting on these retreats want you to connect with the Lord. And I think they do a stunning job of listening to the Lord to provide what women on the field need.”  

It’s wonderful to know there are resources to help strengthen missionaries as they serve the Lord… but they aren’t the only ones in need of refreshment and encouragement. Would you choose to reserve a moment today to actively step away from the hustle and bustle of life, and spend some time in nature, reading the Word, praying, or choosing to be vulnerable with a Christian friend? Every soul needs regular rest and reminders of who our first love is! 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB)

Written by:

Leanne Monge Barrera

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How Greater Europe Mission Came To Be

What do you know about Greater Europe Mission (GEM)…like, really know? Do you know why Europe is its focus? Do you know who began GEM or how it began? Many of us know about GEM in its current state; we know it is a mission organization that is passionate about spreading the Gospel across Europe and making disciples who go on to make disciples. For the sake of honouring its history and understanding its commission, let’s dive back to GEM’s origin and discover how it became the organization it is today.

In 1944, a 26-year-old US Navy Chaplain was sent to southern France to bring spiritual hope to men in battle. Knowing the importance of ministering to men within the heat of battle, he became the first chaplain to willingly set foot in the normally off-limit combat zones. However, this role was cut short when he rode over a land mine as he was motorcycling along a beach to reach the troops. Miraculously, he survived and went on to spend the next few months recovering in a French field hospital where he got to know some of the Frenchmen in the area.

Originally sent to provide spiritual assistance to his fellow Americans, Bob Evans instead realized that it was the local people in France that needed him more.

His short time spent in France was enlightening, and God impressed upon Evans a desire and a love for Europe and its people. He returned to America and went on to have a successful evangelistic ministry alongside the likes of Torrey Johnson and Billy Graham through the newly-established Youth for Christ, but he couldn’t shake his zeal for Europe.

The large-scale evangelism work he had done alongside his colleagues had roused the public into wanting to see more of these rallies where thousands of people would come to Christ. Evans realized that if this were to happen, the European church would need to be prepared to receive these new believers; but with only a small percentage of Europeans being reached, who would train them? With the encouragement and support from his friends and family, Evans, along with his wife, Jeanette, and daughter, Alyce, boarded a ship to France to start their own, new ministry.

In 1949, Evans began pouring his energy into the ongoing training of European believers, starting with the opening of a Bible school in Chotou, France, called the European Bible Institute, which was dedicated to training lay leaders in the fundamentals of the Bible. Soon opportunities opened for missionary work in many other European countries, giving rise to the establishment of Greater Europe Mission in 1952. Filled with qualified North Americans to help—not manage—the theologically inclined Europeans, these schools were the ideal place for Europeans to train for disciple-making.

In the 30 years Evans served as its director, GEM established 22 Bible Institutes across Europe—many of which are still in operation today.

Although it’s been about 75 years since Bob Evans established Greater Europe Mission, the organization flourishes on. With over 340 missionaries currently serving across Europe and North America, and partnerships with scores of ministries across Europe: from Bible-seminaries to 1000-year-old churches, from Christian camps to coffee shops, the peoples of Europe are being impacted with the authentic and relevant Word of the Gospel.

Is God calling you to be a part of this legacy? There is still so much need for the Gospel to be shared across Europe and for European believers to be encouraged and trained in the ways of disciple-making. Contact us today to find out how you can get involved!

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How GEM Kids Navigate the Challenges of Missionary Life

You may have heard that life on the mission field isn’t always easy for a missionary, but have you considered its impact on their children? Do they experience the same highs and lows their parents do? Do they naturally follow in their parents’ footsteps, or have entirely different hopes for their future? When God calls believers to serve in missions, He doesn’t forget about their children! Though it isn’t always easy, it’s an invitation for these youth to grow closer to Him – often with some help from others.

Understanding the impact missionary work can have on children of missionaries, particularly with feelings of displacement, and desiring to provide support and tools to missionary families, Greater Europe Mission created a ministry catered to missionary children – GEM-K.

GEM-K is a ministry within GEM’s Wellness Department that reaches to the teenaged children of GEM missionaries. “It had its start at [GEM’s] Annual Conference,” Kristiana, head of the GEM-K department, explains. “It was a place for the teenagers to go and was basically a youth camp for that one week of the year.” Eventually, it became a much more in-depth ministry for connecting teenagers to each other so that their relationships could strengthen, and they would feel less alone. “It became not just a program, but a community, an ongoing relational ministry, and a type of pastoral care for teenagers who are often misunderstood both in their host and sending countries,” Kristiana shares.

With devoted and passionate staff – many of whom were previously in the GEM-K program themselves – these teenagers never have to feel alone. Kristiana says, “Our staff is trained to not just understand but really speak into their lives as a source of spiritual input and guidance that’s safe for them.”

In fact, because of this ministry, these teenagers have an amazing opportunity to grow even deeper in their walk with Christ. “It’s a space that allows their faith to become theirs and not [just] their parents’. And because there’s already an understanding [of the Gospel], GEM-K has this chance to go deeper, and ask harder questions, and push into things that maybe weren’t getting discussed in other places,” Kristiana says.

One previous GEM-Ker, Dave, can attest to the importance of this ministry: “He told us a story about how he was very disconnected and far from God, and very angry and unsure, when he was at a GEM-K [retreat] as a teenager,” Kristiana remembers. “During one of the worship sessions, he walked out of the room. One of our leaders followed and found him, and they ended up talking for a long time. Dave told us that if it wasn’t for that conversation, he probably wouldn’t be a Christian today, and it changed his life.”

The importance and impact of these one-on-one talks have been noted and are now an integral part of each GEM-K retreat. “The goal is that every teenager has a space to talk about whatever – we let them guide the conversation,” Kristiana says. “We’ve had teenagers tell us really serious things and sometimes really hard things; there’s been a lot of crying, but sometimes it’s just really relaxed and fun. Ultimately, it’s a way that we ensure that there’s never a teenager that gets forgotten or dropped through the cracks.”

“For me,” Bryce, a GEM-K alumni, shares, “GEM-K was a space to be with other teenagers who have experienced the same challenges of cross-cultural living, as well as be poured into and deeply cared for by the staff of GEM-K. It created a unique environment to feel truly known and understood. The Lord used my time at GEM-K to greatly impact who I am today in wonderful ways. Much of my faith has grown because of the leader’s hard work to care for me and teach me who the Lord is.”

With GEM-K prioritizing safety, authenticity, and hope, this ministry has played, and continues to play, an important role in the lives of the kids of GEM’s missionaries. If this ministry excites you, and you have a passion to disciple youth and walk alongside them as they navigate their unconventional lives, especially at their annual retreats, contact us! GEM-K is always looking for help from responsible believers.

*Some names have been changed for privacy.

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The Appointee’s Journey To Becoming A Full-time Missionary

What does it take to become a full-time missionary? What does the preparation process look like? Is it difficult? It can be hard to fully comprehend the complexities of this journey; an appointee commonly goes through a whirlwind of experiences, including a wide range of emotions and a furthering of their dependency on God. Willing to share their own personal journeys of becoming full-time missionaries, are GEM Canada’s Katarina Colegrove, now in her first year overseas, and Joel Kennedy, a current appointee.

Appointed to serve with Greater Europe Mission in 2018, Katarina Colegrove and her family spent five years support raising, planning, and preparing for their move to Germany, where they now reside. “Support raising was different [and harder] than I had expected… but this process has shaped us,” Katarina explains. “We wouldn’t have been [spiritually] ready to be immediately sent to Germany. It helped us to be more faithful over a period of time.”

Much of the time between getting appointed and arriving in the serving country is spent contacting and meeting with churches, friends, family, and even strangers. It’s a time of sharing one’s vision and extending an invitation to support one’s cause financially and prayerfully. “Remaining excited all the time was more difficult than I had thought. When you’re on your 100th appointment and you’ve said your thing 100 times, remembering that the other person doesn’t know your whole story is so important,” Katarina says.

Joel Kennedy and his family of four have recently been appointed with GEM and are now eager to make disciples in France. Although they knew in their hearts, for the past 14 years, that God wanted them in France, they’ve just recently felt God’s go-ahead to pursue it, and are now raising support to make it happen. “There’s been a lot of things that God has had to teach us,” Joel reflects. “A lot of things that we didn’t know that we needed to know, including the idea of surrendering to and worshipping God through the process.”

An important distinction all appointees need to discern is when God wants them to begin ministry. He knows what growth or equipping they may need before becoming a missionary. For those who are in the midst of support-raising: “Try to remember that putting in more hours of time and work does not necessarily mean you will be supported faster,” Katarina remarks. “Yes, you have to put in the effort, but it’s when God wants you to be there, and that’s how it’s going to be.”

Raising financial support isn’t the only item on an appointee’s agenda. There are books to be read, resources to be accessed, and leaders to meet with – all for the sake of ensuring appointees are well equipped for the road ahead. Events like Mission Prep are important for further preparing the person for the massive life change they’re embarking on.

“[Mission Prep] was two-weeks of training,” Katarina explains. “At the time, I don’t think I realized how helpful it was. [Now that we’re in Germany], it’s really nice to be able to go back [to what we had learned] when feeling confused, or [when] there’s a lot of things happening.” “We were stretched and challenged in many meaningful ways… it was truly vital in the process of preparing our family for our future on the field,” Joel added.

Whether a person is an appointee for only a few months before reaching missionary status, or a few years, it’s a busy and productive time! Between raising financial and prayer support, taking any necessary classes, and meeting all other requirements for moving into a new land, it’s an exciting, and often exhausting time. If you know an appointee, we encourage you to reach out and offer your support. A word of encouragement goes a long way and knowing they are being prayed for is often the fuel they need to continue in their journey! If you do not know an appointee, but are looking to offer your support, please contact our office today and we’ll connect you with someone! You can email [email protected] or call our toll-free number: (866) 241-3579

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The Spiritual Impact of Music in Discipleship and Evangelism

What would happen if something as universally beloved as music was used as a means of both stirring up believers and reaching the lost? Music inspires emotion and provokes thought. It reaches down into a person’s soul, uncovering joys and sorrows. Churchgoers are well aware of the role music plays in worship and drawing nearer to God, but can music also be a means to draw in the lost?

Richard Mauney, a GEM worker in Romania, states: “A healthy worship life of the church will fuel the other aspects of the total church ministry – discipleship, spiritual growth of members, evangelism, missions, social ministries, and fellowship. Attention given to congregational worship can both reflect as well as produce a proper balance in the overall ministry of the church.”

It’s important to note that although music is certainly an expression of worship, it would be wrong to claim that it’s the only form of worship. In fact, our entire lives should be an act of worship! Within a church setting, music is one form of worship that brings praise and glory before God, and the music team’s role is to help lead others into His presence. As we enter into God’s presence, we’ll often receive a boldness in serving Him, which is evident in how we live.

With a passion for music, Germany’s Zachary McKay has used it as an outlet for ministry in his church, and more recently his home, for the last fifteen years. Music is universally familiar and appealing, so it can sometimes become a ministry unexpectedly. “On three separate occasions, my neighbours had told me that my singing was really good – I suppose [my apartment] walls were either thinner than I figured, or I was a bit louder than I thought,” Zachary jokes. After explaining to them that he plays music at his church, his neighbours expressed that they’d never heard church music played like that.

People often create certain expectations of what different genres of music should sound like – especially ‘church’ music. “I think singing more contemporary worship music or a different style than people are used to, creates interest that creates curiosity, and then ultimately leads to people asking questions to learn more about it – not just to enjoy the art, but to get to the heart of it,” Zachary explains.

Aside from these meaningful encounters with his neighbours, Zachary also makes a point to meet regularly with others who are passionate about music for a time of encouragement and training. “We’re creating a space for developing relationships because of the natural camaraderie in the arts and in music,” Zachary says. Between coaching those who come wanting to improve their skills, or those who just need a safe place to do what they love, these jam sessions become a great opportunity to reach others.

“There isn’t necessarily that understanding of being in a holy space,” Zachary says about these jam sessions, “or the song may not be recognizably about Jesus. That, to me, is a fun space to enter, because although nonbelievers may not recognize the subject matter of the music at first, they recognize the emotion behind it.” 

Richard Mauney’s idea that all aspects of ministry are impacted by healthy worship within the church is evident in the unique ways people are choosing to serve missionally. “Evangelism or discipleship doesn’t conform to a strict kind of model,” Zachary explains. “Music can be a form of discipleship and evangelism… I can name four people who came to faith explicitly because of exposure to Christian music, and three of them are now pastors! So, in regard to music and art as mission, if the Holy Spirit is in it, then lives are going to be transformed.”

To those who would love to get started in this type of ministry, Zachary suggests diving right in! “Just immerse yourself in it and trust that God is there and in it with you. If it’s something you really want to do, your actions [should] reflect that, but it’s really about surrounding yourself with people in an environment that will nurture that desire.” Are you someone who enjoys worshipping through music? Have you considered using your gifts to break barriers with the unsaved or uplift local Christians? If so, would you consider stepping out of your comfort zone and playing your music for God where others can join in? Perhaps some may experience new life as they meet the transforming God behind your lyrics!