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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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Working to Further the Gospel by Supporting One Another

A global worker should never be alone when sharing the Good News. With members of God’s army found throughout the world—each with their own unique strengths and giftings—the possibilities in working together to further His Kingdom are many. While one may be sent out to evangelize the lost, another is called to pray for their endurance. While some may be called to serve the homeless, others are called to financially cover that ministry.  

Working together is essential for not only furthering the gospel, but for encouraging and strengthening one another in the process.  

One specific way of working together is through support. We may not all be called to move overseas to share the gospel, but through financial or prayer support, we can work alongside someone who is.

“Giving to missions is one of the ways I spread the Good News and share God’s love with others.  Giving financially blesses and assists others in their calling.  It is a way that I serve and worship God and acknowledge that all I have comes from Him and is His.”

Sandy Plett—GEM donor

Let’s take a moment to explore these two areas of serving, starting with prayer.  

Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17); He hears us when we pray (Proverbs 15:29), and He answers our prayers (Matthew 7:7-8). If we believe what James 5:16 says, that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” then we should lean into prayer, especially in this broken world.   

A missionary may move to a land they’re unfamiliar with, with a language they’re still trying to learn; they may be facing persecution for their faith or be struggling with a health issue. Every scenario is different, but in all scenarios, prayer support is vital to help carry them through. When we partner with God through prayer on the missionary’s behalf, there’s no limit to what He can do!   

As Christian writer and speaker Corrie Ten Boom once said, “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.”  

Let’s now consider financial support.  

Though Jesus grew up to be a carpenter, He left the profession when He entered His season of ministry. He devoted all His time not to supporting Himself financially, but to discipling those around Him, teaching them the way, and performing signs and miracles. His ministry became His full-time work, and He depended on the generosity of others to provide for His, and His disciples’, physical needs.   

The Apostle Paul, a missionary himself, writes in his epistles about the importance of the church supporting Christian workers. We read of his encouragement to the Roman church to help support Phoebe in her ministry (Romans 16:1-2), and his expectations of their generosity to help him on his own journey (Romans 15:24). Paul refers to Jesus’ instructions for His disciples to not bring anything as they go on their mission (Matthew 10:10), “for the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7).  

Financially supporting Christian workers isn’t a new idea—we can read about it in the Bible! This process is important, for it encourages the worker to depend on God to provide their needs, it encourages the Church to be generous and sow into His Kingdom, which in turn brings the worker the support they need. Working together, the Good News can be spread throughout the reaches of this world!  

“First and foremost, [I give because] I have a heart for Italy because of my Italian heritage. Also, I was raised Catholic and understand the hunger for Jesus. GEM has given me an opportunity to sow directly through [the worker]. I believe in thy Kingdom come, Lord, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

Teresa Janssens—GEM donor

For those who have faithfully supported our global workers serving far from home, thank you! You have brought them encouragement and a platform to do what God has called them to do. May your generosity reap many blessings!  

If you feel called to support a GEM worker or ministry, please click here to explore the many opportunities available.

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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The Importance of Ministry in the 40/70 Window

Walking down the local streets of Rome or London—or most streets across Europe for that matter—you’re likely to notice the cultural diversity in the people. The truth is, Europe has become a melting pot of cultures, its inhabitants now unmistakenly diverse. From a mission’s perspective, seeing the nations of the world becoming increasingly accessible—many of which coming right to our doorsteps—is inspiring.  

For the past few decades, the focus of many mission organizations has been, and still is, the 10/40 window—a rectangular, geographical area spanning over north Africa through to Asia—10°N to 40°N latitude—with the intent of reaching the world’s most unreached populations. With ongoing refugee and immigrant movements taking place, though, the unreached are trickling into other parts of the world. Greater Europe Mission is well suited to take on the unique opportunity of reaching those who have left their 10/40 window homes for a new start in Europe.    

  

Reaching Beyond the 10/40 Window 

The 40/70 window—which includes Europe—covers the area above the 10/40 window. If we take into consideration where most refugees are fleeing from—mainly countries in the 10/40 window—and where Europe is situated, it should come as no surprise that it has welcomed more refugees than any other continent. By the end of 2023, Europe hosted over 30% of the world’s refugees; partner this number with other migrants—European-born or not—and this equates to millions of new inhabitants within the countries of Europe.  

As refugees vulnerably relocate and build new lives within European countries—carrying with them their religious beliefs, their strongholds, and their potential lack of knowledge of Jesus—they are widening the 10/40 window, drawing a greater need for prayer and additional workers to Europe.

New inhabitants aren’t the only reason to widen our focus area of ministry, though. Did you know that of all the continents across the world, Europe has the least number of evangelical Christians? Despite Europe’s deep roots in Christianity, it has since become labelled “post-Christian” in recent decades. Skepticism and secularism have polluted society and the true Christian faith, and most Europeans live for worldly pleasures rather than for their Creator.   

Many of its inhabitants—especially the older generations—continue to claim Christianity as their religion, though mostly due to the cultural tradition it has become. They won’t deny having visited a church or hearing about God in some capacity, but the number that have laid down their old selves for a new identity in Christ, is incredibly, and sadly, low. There is much need for more prayer and workers in the 40/70 window.  

Latin America has revival fires burning brightly. Asia is experiencing the greatest evangelistic harvest in the world. Africa south of the Sahara is now majority Christian. Revival reports are coming from virtually every part of the world, except from the 40/70 Window.”

Mell Winger – from mycharisma.com

Reclaiming Christ for Europe 

There is potential to draw Europeans back into meaningful relationships with Jesus, though. With many of their Christian-based holidays celebrated, and often taken seriously—Easter or Christmas for example—just imagine the impact that could further be made when global workers are in place to explain the redemptive power of a living God to those who are already hoping for one.   

There is much to be done in the 40/70 window. There are new inhabitants from other countries making Europe their home, and there are Europeans who have stepped away from the church and their faith, making way for the influences of the world to replace what only God can fill. The continent with the least number of evangelical believers needs to be included in our focus area of ministry; we need to expand the 10/40 window to include the lost souls in Europe.  

Do you feel compelled to share the Gospel within the 40/70 window? There’s always a need for more workers! Contact us today to find out how you can be involved; or become a prayer warrior and pray for the hearts of the European people to soften and accept the Truth. Let’s help bring the freedom found only in Jesus back to Europe!  

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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Things Unseen: Portraying the Real Lives of Christ-Followers

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

What are we living for?   

As believers, our focus should remain on God; we aren’t living for this world but for Him. To live a life truly dependent on Him and choosing to serve Him in all that we do sounds great, but how might that look?  

Alex and Miriam Reimer have first-hand experience with depending on God for their needs. Having left the comforts of their North American homes several years ago, Canadian Alex, and his American wife, Miriam, served in Germany then Northern Ireland—where they met, married, and ultimately served as missionaries. As they anticipated returning to North America, they felt compelled to expose what God can do through us when we set our eyes solely on Him.  

Alex and Miriam Reimer

While serving overseas with Greater Europe Mission, Alex’s ministry was in filmmaking. Working with Soul Catalyst, he found that creating videos was an excellent way to share the Good News with others.  

“As artists, we speak different languages and can say different things, things we may not otherwise be able to put into words,” he starts. “This kind of started a hunger in me to portray the missionary experience [in a different way].”  

With a return to Canada already on their horizon, the Reimers began their last assignment as missionaries in Europe. They left their home in Northern Ireland, bought a camper van, and set out on a journey through Europe to film several GEM missionaries live their day-to-day lives.  

“The goal of this project is to show what it’s really like to be a missionary on the field,” Alex remarks.  

Believers are used to hearing the powerful stories of how God has moved, and although you will see some of those moments, Alex emphasizes how this documentary highlights the other side of it. “You’ll see how these stories come out of long hours of faithfulness and weeks of just getting out of bed and doing the things needed to be done.”  

Alex and Miriam spent two weeks with each missionary unit—Crystal and Matteo Scamporlino, Jill Corley, and Julie and Jivko Binev—capturing each day on video. “Every person we’ve been with has been such an amazing encouragement and picture of Jesus; they’re all great,” they reveal.  

To ensure this documentary remained authentic, the Reimers didn’t go with an agenda.  

Alex Reimer walking with Jill Corley

“We just wanted to be present with these people and see what God was doing; then we would build the story from there.” Knowing that God works through the mundane, the Reimers ultimately wanted to see God in action while they were there.  

“I learned a lot, as we went about, of how God works in the margins of things—that’s where the interesting stories are,” Alex starts. “In Bulgaria, we went to [and filmed] every scheduled thing the Binevs did but realized that the interesting things actually happened in the setup before and the takedown after…so much of what God does is actually outside of the plans that we have.”  

The Reimers’ project confirms that as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will continue to show up, even when we aren’t expecting Him to.  

“[A common factor we see is] how these missionaries take steps of faith and trust God with the end results,” Alex explains. “It’s not so much worrying about success, but just getting out there to do it!”  

Julie Binev, one of the filmed missionaries, hopes this film will put a spark in its audience. “We pray the viewers recognize how God can use everyday people who simply say ‘yes’ to His call to make disciples.”  

Watching Julie’s prayers over a school in Bulgaria get answered, witnessing Jill Corley bring hope to other widows in Romania, and hearing the Scamporlinos’ testimony of a healed boy’s family coming to church in Italy, we can see plenty of examples of God’s faithfulness shown through those who focus their eyes on Him.  

“I think the story that came out of this [documentary] was just being faithful with what’s in front of you and being full of faith that God will work through it, leaving the results up to Him,” Alex concludes. “You do your work and God will do His work. I think all the missionaries that we connected with exemplified that, and that was really cool and encouraging to see.”  

If you, too, would like to see what the life of a missionary in Europe looks like, or simply want to see how bold Christians are living out their faith, you can save the date to watch Things Unseen when it’s released—July 12—at gemission.org/things-unseen/. 

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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The Importance of Cities and Why We Should Serve in Them

What do you think of when you hear the words populated, busy, and traffic? How about nightlife, museums, and restaurants? Do you think of a place where you might live? A place where you might want to live? With God calling us to be ‘fishers of men’, would it be beneficial to seek out a place encapsulating the words mentioned above?   

With over half of the world’s population living in cities, it’s no wonder long-time church planter and GEM worker Stephen Beck encourages Christian believers to fulfill the great commission within them.   

“Cities are where decisions of the future of the world are being made,” Stephen starts.  

“They’re places of productivity and creativity; where universities and businesses are; where the poor look for work and survival; they’re gathering places of special interest groups,” says Stephen. “The city is a magnet that draws all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds to itself. If we’re going to think missions, we need to understand that the world is moving into cities.”  

Take Brussels, for instance. The capital city of Belgium is home to over 185 nationalities. Like a growing number of other cities in Europe, Brussels has attracted a melting pot of cultures. The nations of the world have been flocking to the cities, bringing a diversity of religions and beliefs with them.     

“If winning the nations is the goal, into the cities we should go.”  

Stephen Beck

We can see God’s heart for cities through Nineveh, one of the more famous of pagan biblical cities. Jonah, horrified at the thought of being sent there, offers us something to consider—how much do we relate with him? How often do we feel superior to those living sinfully in the cities around us? How often do we choose to, instead of leading them to Christ, avoid or ignore their behavior altogether?  

Is God still concerned for the Ninevehs of today?   

“We need to replace our indifference with zeal, and our dislike for the city with compassion,” Stephen offers. “In Matthew 9:38, Jesus went through the city and saw many who were confused and lost. Today, many people in cities don’t know who Jesus is—they’re still confused and lost.” We need to participate in God’s mission for the people.   

With years of church planting involvement in Canada, Germany, and now the US, Stephen’s seasoned experience sheds light on the ways God can move when we’re obedient, especially regarding planting churches within cities.  

“Church planting is a mission strategy for people who don’t know Jesus,” he states. With the presence of spiritual warfare evident in both urban and rural areas, it’s important to have these ‘beacons of light’ for non-believers to find the Truth.  

“Church plants should be Gospel-centered, where there are no expectations for non-Christians to instantly fit into a church code of behavior, but have an open-arms approach, being patient as new Christians go on their journey,” Stephen says. “As we plant churches, we need to include all nations and languages; multiculturalism is the way to go, because nations are gathering in cities.”  

As we make our way into the cities, we need to be patient and prayerful. We live in a world where many believe they don’t need God. Men and women try to prove they can make it on their own and can decide what is true. When they discover that they themselves can’t fulfill what their souls are aching for, we need to be ready to offer true fulfillment.  

“If we’re going to reach the nations, we need to reach our nation. To reach our nation, we need to reach the cities. We need to be concerned, have compassion for the people in our cities. We need to be fishers of men—it is our purpose. We need to be proactive missionaries with hearts burning for the people where we live,” Stephen concludes.  

Cities—with all they offer and contain—offer such rich opportunities for Christians to make an impact. Will you choose to be part of the movement, going after the people in the places where they gather?  

Pray with me.  

Lord, give us a heart for the people—a heart that longs to see them set free, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones and into the busyness of the city to find them. We pray for you to instill in us a heart for Your mission, that all may hear Your name and be set free.   

Amen  

To hear Stephen’s sermon in its entirety, click here. 

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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Why Should We Care about Missions?

 Do you remember your first exposure to missions? If you grew up in a Christian church, perhaps the idea was first planted in Vacation Bible School. There we would be regaled of the Apostle Paul’s adventures in prison, earthquakes, and on rough seas. We would hear fantastic stories of people suddenly understanding foreign languages, and tragic tales of young men martyred by villagers. For a young child, foreign missions was understood as a global adventure to be taken on by only the most spiritually mature among us. 

Even as adults, these ideas still linger. We’re taught about great spiritual needs in church, we hear from missionaries in Sunday school, we may even host a missionary family for a night or two. But the concept remains slightly out of reach. Missions is something other Christians do, right? “Good for them,” we are tempted to think, “but it’s not really for me.” 

We think missions is for you: for you to pray about, participate in, and support. But why?

Why should you care about missions? 

Because God cares 

If we claim to love God, we should love the things He loves, and the things that matter to Him should matter to us.  

We know that He loves His children—we’re the reason He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to save us (John 3:16) and an example for us to follow (John 20:21). He wants His children—from every people group and nation—to experience His glory. Acts 13:47 says that He has made us a light for the gentiles, that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.  

God longs to redeem and restore us (1 Peter 5:10). He doesn’t want any of His family to miss this gift, which is why, like Jesus, we need to go into the world to ensure no one misses out!  

Because salvation is only available through Jesus Christ 

The Word is clear that Jesus is our only hope for salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). If this is the case, then everyone needs to know. Unfortunately, there are still people in this world that haven’t even heard the name ‘Jesus’, never mind choose to follow Him.  

According to The Joshua Project, out of the earth’s 17,400 people groups, over 7,000 have never heard the Gospel. This means about 40% of the world’s people groups haven’t had a chance to hear about the redemptive power of God. It wouldn’t be fair to let those who do not yet know Jesus to pass away before knowing this life-saving truth. And as God’s children, it is our duty to tell them. 

“No one has the right to hear the Gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once.” 

Oswald J. Smith

Because all people should have access to a local church 

The community created through the local church is so important. Time and time again, Scripture reminds us of God’s intention for us not to be alone (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, and Matthew 18:20, to name just a few). Local churches allow believers, both new and old, to meet and encourage one another in their faith, to build one another up and sharpen each other’s “swords”. We are simply stronger with others. It’s God’s plan and intention for us. 

The best thing we can do to build up the global Church is to build and support these local churches. Though planting a church isn’t always easy, the resulting light that is brought to the dark areas of our communities make it all worthwhile! 

Because it’s instrumental in multiplying disciples 

Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” This isn’t simply an option, but a command for all who believe. Jesus continues: “…and surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Though the task may seem daunting, we aren’t alone—Jesus is with us. As we obey, He will lead and guide us in the process.  

One of the wonderful aspects of making disciples is that the weight of the task doesn’t fall on any one person’s shoulders alone. As we make disciples, these disciples then go on to make more disciples. This beautiful cycle can only begin when someone first brings the Gospel to where it isn’t yet known… could that be you? 

“…And you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  

Acts 1:8

Because the need is so great! 

Have you read Luke 10:2? “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

How about this verse: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” Matthew 7:13-14. 

If you were to do a quick online search as to how many Christians there are in this world, you may disagree with the above verses, thinking: “There’s plenty of believers; I’m not really needed to do missions.” The reality, however, is that these numbers often represent people who have no relationship with Jesus. Many, in fact, simply identify as “Christian” because of their traditions and upbringing but haven’t actually dedicated their lives to God.  

For example, in France, it appears 61% of the population is Christian, but in reality, only 1% are Evangelical. Italy, a country that is known for its Christian roots, claims more than 80% of its population is Christian, yet Evangelicals make up a mere 1.1%. Looks–and terminology–can be deceiving. There truly is a great need for Jesus to be shared with the nations! 

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”  

Romans 10:14-15

We all have a role to play in getting the Gospel to where it has not yet been heard, understood, or experienced. Whether sending people, prayer, money, or resources for others to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, we must all play our part. As long as there are unbelievers among us—and as long as we are still on this earth—our job is not yet done.

Why not start where you are, and knock on a neighbor’s door? Perhaps the Gospel hasn’t yet been heard there. 

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.

Cross-posted from gemission.org : Five Reasons to Care About Missions.

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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.