Category: Stories from the field

Adrian couldn’t wait for the end of the week. The excitement of Easter always delighted him, and he relished all its festive celebrations. Painting hard-boiled eggs red on the Thursday before Easter has been one of his favourite memories of the holiday, and this year his friend Andrew would join him and his family. The best part? Breaking the eggs on Sunday! Perhaps this year Adrian will have the strongest egg of all…

This time of the year, children in Greece, like Adrian, are blessed to have two weeks off school to honour this important holiday. In fact, it’s the biggest Christian holiday of the year for the Greeks and is oozing with traditions – some of which start weeks before the holiday is even celebrated.

For instance, the devout Orthodox start their traditions early with forty days of lent – fasting specifically from red meats, meat by-products, and fish with backbones – which begins on Clean Monday, a day where you’ll notice an abundance of airborne kites. Additionally, at this time you may notice some households yielding a seven-legged woman shaped out of salty dough, whose legs are individually broken off in each of the preceding weeks before Easter.

Symbolism is key, and Greece’s unique Easter eggs are a notable example. Dyed typically on Holy Thursday, these hard-boiled eggs are dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ shed on the cross, while the hard shell represents the sealed tomb of Jesus which will be ‘cracked’ open on Easter Sunday.

The delightful aroma of sweet bread began to waft throughout the house as Adrian and Andrew finished cleaning the red dye off their hands. His mom was busy in the kitchen preparing for the weekend, and although she said the bread was to be saved for Sunday, Adrian couldn’t wait to have a taste!

The often-braided sweet bread, also known as tsoureki, is an important Easter staple that contains the distinctive flavourings of citrus and mahlab. Presented with a dyed-red egg baked onto the top, it’s the perfect way to break the fast that many had been on in preparation for Easter.

Interesting how one can go from hopeful preparation to bittersweet sadness in just a day’s time, Adrian thought. With his family by his side at church, he watched solemnly as the epitaph – a depiction of Christ’s lifeless body in its tomb – was approached and kissed by all congregants. Sadness filled the air on this Friday, and the sound of beautiful, yet mournful chants and hymns filled Adrian’s chest with emotion. 

After a period of waiting, locals meet once again for the liturgy on Saturday evening.

With Christ’s resurrection believed to have happened exactly as Saturday becomes Sunday, midnight, the whole village or city will gather, after a very late church service, to light candles representing the Light of the world coming forth from the tomb. Sorrow turns into joy. Fireworks often light up the sky at midnight, followed by a breaking of the fast with soup made from the organs and intestines of the lamb they will be roasting the next day.

After visiting the church and eating a late bowl of soup, Adrian grabbed his dyed-red egg in preparation for its cracking. He locked eyes with his father, who held up his own red egg, then brought it down upon his dad’s, cracking it open in the process. Smiles wide throughout the room, Adrian and his family, together with countless other families across Greece, called out, “Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!”

Whether we celebrate with commemorative traditions or with quiet times of reverent reflection and worship, through the preparations, times of sorrow and of celebration, may we never forget the sacrifice and resulting hope that God has gifted us! 

Happy Easter!

*Thanks to Mark Doebler, currently serving in Greece, for your input!

France has a concerning shortage of healthy, operating churches. With only about 1% of France’s population truly following Jesus, finding a supportive Christian community can be difficult. What can we, an organization committed to spreading the Gospel and making disciples, do to provide the support that these local believers require?

One of the ways GEM has brought encouragement and support to Christians across France is through a camp called Camp des Cimes – also known as Camp of the Peaks. Located in the southeast part of the country, its mountainous landscape showcases God’s beauty in creation, allowing for a rejuvenating change of scenery for all its visitors.

Offering programs for people of all ages and interests, the main goal of the staff is to create a place where the lost can be saved and the found can be strengthened. This involves refreshing, encouraging, and displaying the Gospel. “People come from very troubled backgrounds to the camp… it really has become a refuge [for campers].” Pamela Konstant says. Having served at Camp of the Peaks for the past few years, she’s realized the importance of its ministry.

“The culture in France isn’t necessarily supportive [for Christians],” Pamela starts, “so when they come to the camp, it’s just totally different than how they’ve felt. They feel accepted and safe to bring up their problems and questions without feeling judged,” Pamela explains. “In many cases, the people who come to the camp will be the only Christian [in their community], and so the opportunity to connect with other believers and be strengthened to go back is a huge blessing.”

In fact, many believers who visit the camp often find themselves returning repeatedly. “It really is because of Camp of the Peaks that I ended up serving in France long-term,” Howard Moore, a now-retired GEMer, recalls. Having raised his three children in France and often visiting the camp, Howard has found that even his children were drawn back to it. “After moving back to Canada, my daughter made the decision to go back to Camp of the Peaks and minister there [as a missionary] long-term, which she did off-and-on for about eight years.”

Much of the appeal can be attributed to the camp’s friendly environment. “One of the camp’s strong points is its amazing atmosphere,” Pamela Konstant explains. “We get people who come time and time again because of the peace they feel.”

Adding to the allure of the camp is its range of activities, which include – but are not limited to – skiing, hiking, pottery, rock climbing, biking, and theater. Behind the fun and leisure, though, hides the beauty of the camp’s true purpose: “[The camp’s] philosophy is to get a good team of believers to work alongside [the campers],” Howard explains. “There’s an emphasis on discipleship work with the youth… developing solid relationships with them and seeking to break through into their thoughts about God.”

“[Seeing campers] come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and then start serving at the camp and serving at the church, and eventually getting married and starting families… the legacy of the camp is just incredible!” Pamela enthuses. “It’s just a wonderful opportunity for [new believers] to see that Christianity – that Jesus – makes a difference in lives, to the point where it’s visible.”

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to serve in a beautiful setting alongside great people, Camp des Cimes may be the place for you! The camp is always looking for help of every kind, from cleaning to construction – even those with artistic abilities willing to lead a workshop are welcome! “If anybody has any skill whatsoever, we need them,” Pamela states.

Is there a role you can play in supporting the ongoing efforts in France? As global workers continue to encourage the faith of attending campers, will you pray with us for more labourers to be sent to help make a greater impact?

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a prayer partner for a missionary or ministry? Perhaps you’ve even wondered if prayer is an effective source of support?

We believe that none of our work will have eternal significance apart from prayer and our ministries are only effective with God’s help. It’s worth saying, however, that prayer doesn’t change things; prayer is calling on the God who changes things! And when we say that it’s God who changes things, we acknowledge two things. First, that our prayers aren’t incantations; prayer isn’t about saying things a particular way to get a particular response. As we pray ‘Thy will be done’ and draw near to the Lord through prayer, our hearts (and prayers) begin to shift and align with the heart and purposes of God. Second, that our Lord Jesus, the one true God, who knows what we need and loves us so much, invites us to call on His name.

Let’s consider what Scripture tells us. 1 John 5:14-15 reveals that we serve a God who not only wants to hear from us, but also respond to us. Romans 8:34, 1 John 2:1, and Hebrews 7:25 all reveal Christ’s role as our advocate, interceding on our behalf while at the right hand of God. Christ Himself demonstrates the value of intercession – and it is only through Him that our prayers can be heard and answered.

“We have the Spirit of the Intercessor, Christ Jesus, alive in our very bones. To not intercede and walk in His Way of Intercession, we are deliberately choosing to walk in our own strength rather than walking by the Spirit,” Leslie Hall says.

We spoke with Luke Baublet and Leslie, GEM workers in Europe, about how they prioritize prayer in their ministries. They understand that going directly to the Father is the most effective way to see meaningful impact within their work.

“Paul writes about bearing one another’s burdens,” Luke starts. “To me, intercession is the spiritual aspect of that.” As disciples sent out into the world to make more disciples, our missionaries meet many people, both believers and unbelievers, all needing prayer. Many European countries are spiritually dark, which can result in exhaustion or discouragement for the Christians within them.

“We get to have the joy and honour and heartache at times of interceding between the need and the fulfilment,” Luke explains. Having steadfast prayer from intercessors and prayer partners helps to shift the spiritual landscape, and really does make a difference!

Take for instance this testimony:

“We started something called 30 days of prayer for Berlin. As we came up with a list of 30 prayer points, one thing that we were all convinced of was the need for more faithful followers of Jesus in Berlin. [Soon after the 30 days], one of our colleagues with a different organization received two inquiries of people interested in serving in Berlin, and another had one inquiry. With GEM, we went from having a few people interested and only one couple raising support, to at least four couples or singles already on the field or raising funds to come and join us! This was an absolute answer to prayer,” Luke recognizes.

As God answers prayers, the resulting testimonies become spiritual weapons and sustenance. “In darker moments when we’re really struggling, we come back to the clear evidence that God is at work… and He is answering prayers,” Luke says.

Unfortunately, even with such evidence of answered prayer, we can still find ourselves stuck, or unmotivated in our prayer lives from time to time. “Have we taken our eyes off Jesus?” Luke challenges. “The answer is almost always ‘yes’.”

How do we then refocus? Leslie encourages: “Allow yourself to be consumed by the Lord, forsaking all things… in order to fully draw near to Him. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Make space for the Lord with no expectations and allow Him to show up. Growing in prayer is to fall deeper in love.”

The next time someone asks you to be a prayer partner, consider the spiritual importance of this request! Your prayers are effective, making way for God’s work to unfold in the darkest places, and most importantly, your own relationship with God will strengthen as you draw nearer to Him through prayer.

Ten months ago, Russia began wreaking havoc in Ukraine, displacing many Ukrainians into surrounding countries and beyond. With emotions running high and uncertainty still in the air, this Christmas season will undoubtedly present its own set of significant and hard challenges and change. Together, let’s meet some of these brave refugees currently in Romania as they reveal how they’ll be embracing this year’s holiday season.

First, let’s meet Holly – a global worker currently serving in Craiova, Romania. She serves specifically in the refugee ministry, translating when needed and visiting regularly with the refugees. Listening to, praying for, and serving the Ukrainian refugees has built trust, making space for them to comfortably and openly share their unique outlooks on Christmas with Holly – and with us!

While it is true that some don’t even know which country they’ll be in come Christmas – never mind what they’ll do to celebrate – there are some, like Olga, Nastya, Marina, Liudmila, and Anna, who are considering their options and still plan to commemorate the holiday.

Olga, from Nikolaev, is presently in Romania with her son. With an aching soul and longing to be back home, she still plans to celebrate. “To keep up the traditions, to remember home and loved ones, we’re going to prepare the twelve dishes: Kutia from wheat, with poppy seeds, nuts, honey, raisins, prunes, and varenyky and cabbage rolls with bacon. It’s all shared with family, but this time it’s just me and my son. Of course, we’ll have a video call with relatives, but we [won’t] show them our table, because in Ukraine they won’t have what we have.”

Nastya, from Mariupol, shares what a typical Christmas once looked like: “We always cooked delicious food and chose which [Christmas] movie to watch. We watched the president’s address and lit sparklers at midnight.” She continues, “We don’t know how it will be this year, but we plan to celebrate… We’ll cook something delicious and maybe we’ll celebrate with the neighbours.”

Liudmila, also from Mariupol, says: “Before the war, I celebrated the New Year with my family at night. We cooked a lot of different foods, of course, watched on TV the congratulations from the president and New Year’s concerts. We gave gifts to relatives.” This year, with her granddaughter and great-grandson, she plans simply to go to church and have a meal at home on January 6^th.

“We’ll celebrate with our family, with the children,” Marina, from Nikolaev, starts: “If it’s possible to have a Christmas tree, we’ll put some small presents under it… We’ll cook something tasty, better than our everyday food, and that’s how we’ll celebrate.” Alongside her sister, daughter, and two-year-old grandson, Marina continues: “Home is home. It’s sad, of course. It’s a joyful holiday, and we will have some kind of joy too, but a little bit of sadness also because it isn’t home.” 

“We’re here where it’s calm and quiet, but my heart and soul are still in Ukraine, where there is bombing and destruction, where life is no longer the way it was before. Everything is different now,” Olga somberly confesses. As a new believer, she continues: “I’m thankful to God for everything He does for me, that He holds me, shelters me, and protects me. I’m thankful to God for all the people [who have helped me].”

Anna sums up the hope of Christmas in the midst of conflict: “War, yes, it affects things. I’m not going to celebrate [the same way] this year, but Christmas is a glorious holiday — the star shone; Jesus was born… Of course, it will be different this year, but it’s not about the food or other things. It’s about the heart and what you think about God and how you worship Him.” Anna goes on to say: “I miss my brother, my church, my pastor, the sisters [in Christ] who have stayed even through the bombings… It’s a different place with different people, but the holiday is the same – still the most important thing.”

Those serving in the Romanian church endeavour to bless these displaced individuals this Christmas season. “We’re doing a few Christmas outreach activities with the refugees here in Craiova,” Holly explains. “One is a card making workshop, which will include a message from the Bible. A GEM colleague [will also be] providing Christmas gifts for all the refugee kids we work with. Lastly, we’re planning to hold a Russian language Christmas service for the refugees on January 6 – Orthodox Christmas – that will hopefully include some small gift bags for the attending families.”

Although their hearts are with their homes in Ukraine, it is heartwarming to hear that many still plan to celebrate, and that there are people in position to offer them a little more cheer this holiday season. Please pray that Ukrainian refugees will embrace the hope of Jesus as they mark Christmas this year. May you also experience the hope and joy that Christmas brings and help spread it to those who may need it. Merry Christmas!

*Some names have been changed for privacy.

Global workers Peggy and Heather are two of many who serve in a continually sought after, globally relevant, and always needed vocation – education. With the consistent rise in immigrants, tourists, and general movement of expats, there comes an equal rise in the need for language learning.

Learning a language takes time and often requires the prolonged company of both teachers and fellow students. The communal nature of language learning provides opportunities for networking, forming relationships, and having deeper conversations outside of the classroom. For those yearning to share God’s love with others, this is an ideal environment with many chances to talk with people who need the hope that Jesus offers.

Peggy Winford volunteers alongside a team of English teachers in a continuing education course. “[The relaxed nature of this conversation group] is very well received by the Germans,” Peggy notes, adding that there are students who have enjoyed its friendly atmosphere for longer than her five years of involvement! “It’s a couple hours a week, so it’s not a driving force, but it’s a fun and great way for us to connect with Germans – it’s almost like a club.”

Finding creative ways to share the Gospel in this conversation group has not always been easy. “Many of the students either have no interest in Christianity or already think they are Christian because they were baptized as a baby, so we are very careful how we share our faith,” Peggy explains. “We’ve watched GEMstone media’s film The Kingdom, using it as a discussion piece; and with some students, we’ve watched part of the Alpha course together outside of the classroom.” As relationships continue to develop, Peggy and her colleagues continue to pursue creative ways to share their faith.

Heather Bachman has children in her English-learning student body, offering a different experience in the realm of teaching. Though the local elementary school where Heather teaches offers a more structured environment, there’s no shortage of opportunities to share the Gospel with her students. “I teach in a Christian setting, but the students are not primarily Christians,” she explains. “It’s amazing, though, because that means I am able to openly talk to them about Jesus, pray with them, tell them how much He loves them, and hopefully touch their hearts with the Gospel.”

In addition to teaching in the classroom, Heather also brings her instruction – and faith – to the school gym. “We talk about faith regularly with my basketball team and pray at every practice,” Heather revels. She’s also introduced a devotional for the pre-teen girls, piquing the players’ curiosity about Jesus. “I love when they ask questions, because that means they are really thinking about what they’ve heard,” Heather says. “Having grown up in a Christian home, it still surprises me to hear questions like: ‘Who is David?’”

Whatever the setting, there’s no doubt that education is a wonderful way to make an impact. “We are teaching English to build relationships,” Peggy says, stating that the classes allow for connections to be made on a more personal level.

“I pray every time I drive to the school that I will remember the main purpose behind why I am there. It’s not just to teach the kids English, it is to share the love of Jesus with them,” Heather states.

We want to take a moment to acknowledge those who use their gift of teaching as a form of ministry, especially across Europe. It’s not always an easy task! Let’s pray for wisdom as they teach, endurance for when it gets hard, and spiritual impact to be made within the student body.

“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/

Mission work isn’t always easy to spot. Sometimes we need to look a little closer, even behind-the-scenes, to see the work that’s being done. Administrative work is much like this. We don’t always know the person who is making an impact, but their work is no less important!

In a mission organization like GEM, there is great need for planning, strategizing, and having structure to operate smoothly. With careful planning, missionaries who are sent out can focus on their tasks without the distraction of confusing paperwork, finances, or other logistics that can feel overwhelming.

People like Shirley, Chris, and Anna work behind-the-scenes to lighten the load of their fellow missionaries and help the agency grow in unique ways. There’s no doubt that administrators play a vital role in the spread of the Gospel. “I think the idea of the mission field just needing theologians and Bible teachers is an outdated notion,” Chris states. Whatever skill set God has blessed you with, whether it be in administration or otherwise, there is always room to serve uniquely with your individual expertise. God will use what He’s gifted you with for His glory!

Shirley, now serving in Canada, uses her expertise to help prepare short-term missionaries for their oversea trips with GEM Teams. Chris, serving in Germany, holds several roles including CFO for GEM US and GEM International and chairperson of GEM Germany’s board. Anna, also serving in Germany alongside Chris, helps however she can logistically to ease the workload of her fellow GEM workers.

With the help of admins like these three, GEM has been able to function smoothly and with clarity, showcasing a level of excellence that echoes the Lord’s example of order.

It is through their work that we can confidently donate toward the relief of Ukrainian refugees, knowing our funds are being utilized appropriately. Events like GEM’s Annual Conference can exist to refresh and encourage drained mission workers with the help of detail-oriented people. With help, those feeling God’s call to serve in a foreign land can do so without feeling overwhelmed by the process of getting there. It is through these faithful workers that the expansion of God’s Kingdom is even more attainable!

Their work doesn’t stop at the end of their spreadsheets, though. Knowing they’ve been called to their specific countries for a reason, they’ve intentionally been stepping beyond their desks to impact their communities. “We’re always trying to witness and be in community with our [unsaved] neighbours,” Chris admits, adding that he’s led small groups with students from a local school, and has found involvement in jiu jitsu an ideal avenue for outreach.

“There are things I’m involved in within the community that I see as ministry,” Anna comments, mentioning her involvement with a choir. “I was having trouble getting connected with my church [in Germany]. There’s a lot of crossover between the [choir] and the church, so [joining the choir] has helped me to have some inroads and get more connected there.”

Aside from serving her family while in Canada, Shirley’s pastoral heart shines through as she regularly connects with those in her congregation that haven’t been able to attend church. Within GEM, she helps however she can, which sometimes means leaving the country: “I sometimes go on trips with Teams – about once a year – to help out.”

Each person, with their own giftings and unique purposes, have distinct opportunities to serve the Lord and further His Kingdom. The next time you’re introduced to an individual preparing to serve missionally in an administrative capacity, consider the huge impact they will make! And not just in their field of expertise, but as Christ-carriers within their community!

British Pastor Joel is all too familiar with the state of the Church in the UK. Born and raised in the region, he currently leads a local Baptist church situated right on the border of London and Kent. Watching churches both wither and grow over the years, he has noticed what the Church most needs to thrive – and you’ll find that it’s really not that complicated!

“I’ve been [in this church] for seven years. The church was [initially] quite small and in a weak state, but over a three-year period we have effectively re-planted it,” Joel remarks, noting that after five years it was strong enough to withstand the global pandemic. In addition to the success of his current church’s re-plant, Joel is now boldly endeavouring to help re-plant a second church.

Hearing of successful church plants and growth within established churches should excite us! With only about 4% of the UK’s population living as Christians, we rejoice when there’s growth in the Kingdom of God. Joel shares the hard truth that Christendom has been on the decline in the UK. But there’s a way to change that: “If there are less Christians, the only way to create more Christians is to tell people about Jesus!”

Unfortunately, not all believers grasp the simplicity of God’s plan. “So many Christians are [instead] getting together and they’re praying for revival – which is a great starting point – but we’re praying that God would do what He asked us to do. Jesus died for this plan! The only thing He asked us to do is tell people.” Joel further explains, “It takes a whole village to raise a child, and isn’t that just what the Church is? You can’t lead someone to Christ on your own, you need your brothers and sisters with you.”

With the importance of community in mind, Joel is passionate about seeing people, not only come to Christ, but to continue to walk the good walk of faith. “I think Jesus counts sheep and I think that’s what pastors are meant to do; we’re meant to count and if someone is missing then we go find them.” With the pandemic affecting church attendance and the ability to fellowship, Joel has noticed some believers still preferring to watch church services from the comfort of their own homes. Joel explains: “You can’t do fellowship by yourself. Church was never intended to be a solo pursuit. It was never something you can live out or do on your own.”

As churches encourage people to attend services in person and enjoy fellowship face-to-face with others, it’s an opportune time for those churches to rise to their fullest potential. “[God says] love Me, love one another, and He asks us to do one thing – go and make disciples. How complicated is that? [I think] a simple plan done consistently, faithfully, and excellently would [not only] work, but would make an amazing testimony, to be able to say ‘God made a promise, and we just did our part. God did the rest.’ That’s what revival looks like.”

As we begin to walk in the simplicity of God’s plan, we can be content in knowing the rest is in His hands. “Faithfulness looks like putting one foot in front of the other and just making some good, old-fashioned plodding – one step, then another step. Then three to five years down the line, you’ve got something that’s exciting! Five to ten years down the line, you’ve got something even more exciting – it’s just about being consistent and faithful.”

As God does His part and as we pay attention, we’ll notice that He’s always doing incredible things! And if we’re faithful to do our part, then we’ll more likely see the revival we so desire to see.

With each of us uniquely created with different giftings and passions from our Creator God, it can sometimes be confusing when deciding how to best reach the lost. Some believe ministry belongs inside a church building, while others see it as praying for people on the streets. The truth is ministry doesn’t always look stereotypical. The passions God has placed in our hearts can – and should – be used when reaching others.

Joel Lunetta, serving with GEM in Italy, is passionate about health and fitness, visiting the gym almost daily and building relationships with the regulars. It wasn’t until after becoming a missionary, though, that he realized his original beliefs about sacrifice weren’t what God intended for him. He didn’t need to sacrifice what he enjoyed most in order to best serve the Lord. “After a few months on the field, I really felt in my spirit to go [to the gym], and honestly, from early on in going, doors just opened to communicate with people in a different way than in the churches.”

Ministry of any type begins with laying down oneself. “Anything you love to do can turn into an idol, and so I chose to lay down fitness and say, ‘God, I’m incredibly passionate about this, but I give it to you – what do you want me to do with it?’” As Joel felt God’s leading to continue his visits to the gym, he found that his passion created endless Kingdom opportunities. “As conversations progress in the gym community, people become curious, opening a lot of dialogue. Oftentimes, these conversations continue outside of the gym over a meal, or over at our place, and eventually form into discipleship relationships.”

In Europe, locals are generally more cautious in building relationships. First, they want to see your character and if you’re trustworthy, so they observe you. “My language was so minimal in the first few months; it was really about them watching me.” Joel remembers. Even in these early moments, though, he experienced others noticing something different about him. “As a matter of fact, the gym owner told me, ‘You’re too happy.’ To which I replied, ‘Well, why not?’ He just zeroed in on me and said, ‘Nobody’s that happy.’” Joel laughs, remarking on the perfect opportunity he had to explain his Source of happiness.

There’s often a temptation to isolate oneself while at the gym, but imagine the potential impact of using this personal time as a time for opportunity instead! Joel shares some encouragement for each of us: “Be ready to submit, because there are conversations you can have, and impacts you can have while you’re there.  Be ready to plant those seeds,” Joel comments. “And be bold! It’s a great way to share faith and evangelize in a way that you will have an impact. You can street preach all day, but if you’re not gifted in preaching and if you don’t know the people around you, you might not get anywhere. But if you have a missional community, a place you already have accolades, a title, or just a passion, God can use that!”

Inviting God to join us in the activities we most enjoy doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, as we trust His leading and submit to Him, it can be quite simple! God knows our hearts and unique passions – He has specifically placed them inside of us. Imagine the tremendous ways they can be used for His glory when we allow Him to take delight in these passions with us!

What hobbies and interests do you have? Would you submit them to the Lord and see what He does with them, through you?

North Macedonia, a southeastern country in Europe, is a richly diverse and beautiful land, both in its landscapes and its people. Rachelle Neal, GEM International’s Vice President of Europe, has lived in North Macedonia and served its residents for about 15 years, and she will lead us in discovering more about this picturesque land of opportunity.

This mountainous, landlocked country, surrounded by five neighbouring countries, is home to just over 2 million people. With much of its population claiming orthodox or Muslim beliefs, North Macedonia, like much of Europe, has a very small number of evangelical Christians. With a considerable amount of the population able to converse in English, though, it’s a perfect opportunity to house ministry for those not fluent in Macedonian or Albanian.

Although language barriers in many European countries often cause challenges in the early stages of mission work, North Macedonia holds the advantage of a large population of English speakers, creating an easier transition for missionaries who don’t speak the country’s other languages. “We do a lot with interns, whether they’re Ten2 summer interns or TESOL [Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages] interns, and a lot of short-term teams come through to help with projects,” Rachelle explains. “You can just walk in and start working with people because [most] know English.”

Using the English language in ministry has also been an excellent way of treading on neutral ground between the two main people groups – Albanians, who tend to be Muslim, and Macedonians, who tend to be orthodox. “People don’t feel like they’re being a traitor to their culture when [the church service] is English and international,” Rachelle says, mentioning that English isn’t typically used exclusively for either group. “English sometimes brings those barriers down and allows us to have those conversations a little more easily.”

When deciding how to reach the locals spiritually, Rachelle mentions the importance of using the gifts God has given us. “God has equipped us with various skills and experiences, each of us uniquely, and he wants us to use all these things. I’m a teacher and my husband is a businessman, so we’ve used those skills here in Macedonia as a way to form bridges into the community and relationships so that we can more effectively share Christ.”

As part of serving in the education industry in Macedonia, Rachelle sees the importance of instilling critical thinking and communication skills in learners. “[Many locals will] do the actions [in religious rituals], but they’ve lost the meaning or the understanding and the connection with Christ behind those things,” Rachelle explains. “What we would do with adults is ask them of their [orthodox] traditions and the why behind it, so as they’re researching it, they’ll discover [answers] for themselves, which is really fun.”

Currently only a small group works in North Macedonia with GEM, allowing for plenty of opportunities for others to serve within this charming country. “We would love to grow this team,” Rachelle admits. “And because there have already been foundations built here in the areas of business, education, and the church, there are opportunities to walk in and impact those worlds.”

Although there’s plenty to be done in this country, there’s still much to celebrate. “There have been many great things happening in North Macedonia lately,” Rachelle remarks. “The number of volunteers at the new learning centre has grown, refugees are coming for classes, interns have arrived, and a student has attended church. We are praising God for His faithfulness.”

Will you pray with me, thanking God for what He’s already doing, and for further impacts to be made across North Macedonia?