General Ministries: Searching for Answers
May 4th, 2012

An AMG missionary in Greece captures a firsthand look at the traumatic and unimaginable effects of the financial crisis.

“Many years ago in New York I saw a homeless person for the first time in my life. It was a shock for me, because in Greece I had never seen anyone sleep on the sidewalk! Since then, whenever I thought about the homeless, my mind would go to pictures of people who wore gloves with holes, people with dirty clothes, protecting themselves from the cold with cardboard boxes.

Because we had no homeless people, I never thought this scene would happen in my land. However, the severe financial crisis that has hit Greece has changed everything. A few weeks ago, I saw a couple of homeless persons in downtown Athens. They were different from the familiar picture that I had in my mind. These people were sleeping on park benches, wearing expensive suits and shoes. Homeless people with Armani clothes!! Who would have thought this could happen? 

Only a few short months ago, these people had more than enough. But now they have lost everything. They lost their well paying jobs in big corporations. They lost spacious homes, healthy bank accounts, and fancy cars. All they have are their fancy suits, now dirty and stained from sleeping on park benches.

Demonstrations and strikes take place almost on a daily basis. Some people are protesting the loss of their jobs, others protest because of salary reductions, the reduction of their pensions, and new taxes. Since the onset of the crisis, in order to collect money, the government will invent new taxes which are unbearable and unreasonable. There is a great deal of unrest and frustration in Greek society, which is sometimes expressed very dramatically.

In the midst of this miserable and tense environment, we continue our activities, such as our efforts in the church. We try to serve the people of God in every possible way, physically as well as spiritually. At the same time, we try to reach out to unbelievers with the gospel. 

One thing that I am learning is that God is continuing to work in the hearts of people, even in the worst conditions. I have noticed that people I have never met or witnessed to before have started attending church. Have their hardships made them turn to God? One thing is for certain, the Lord is working to melt their hearts and people are responding.”  

Please continue to pray for those who have been harmed by the financial crisis. Pray that AMG co-workers would know how to help them.   

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Greece   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

General Ministries: Country in Crisis
January 27th, 2012

Please continue to pray for Greece and our brothers and sisters who serving during this difficult time.  Here is this week’s update from Fotis:

It is one thing to know that there is a crisis and absolutely another to come to know personally the people who have been affected by the crisis. There are people from your neighborhood, from your school, from church community, from other countries who now live in the metro Athens area.

There are still stores open, grocery stores full of food and supplies, malls and food courts but the people are almost frozen, disorientated, disappointed and try to economize in every purchase they attempt to make.

As a community of believers, we have to express with deeds and words a different attitude to share hope, help and even provide a smiling face in the midst of this depressing atmosphere.

• Pray for God’s people as they have to make a difference in the midst of the above situation.
• This weekend will be having the official formation of Immigrant Churches Alliance. We have more than 70 ethnic non-Greek churches in greater metro Athens area.
• Pray as we are working with people in need every single day so we may have the right words which may lift up the heart of people we come in contact with.
• Pray for Cosmovision center as we are preparing the spring schedule of events which is overloaded.
• Please pray specifically for my trip to the US from Feb.8 to 23, 2012 that I may be a blessing and encouragement in every meeting I have to minister.

The following weeks will be very critical as the negotiations about the financial situation in Greece are escalated with European and international paragons. Another huge concern is the reaction of Iran to financial sanctions the EU along with the USA are getting ready to impose. That would have dramatic impact on oil prices especially for Greece which import oil almost exclusively from Iran.  In any case we lift up our eyes to the Lord and wait for His coming...

Till next time,

Fotis Romeos

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Greece   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

General Ministries: Greek Friday
December 2nd, 2011

Please continue to remember Greece in your prayers!  Here is this week's update from Fotis.

One interesting thing with the financial crisis is the impact which has on believers and not believer at the same time. The people who love the Lord face the very same pressures than the people who are arrogant towards the Lord. However, there is one huge difference. The people of God have hope and share hope.
When we see thousands of people loosing their jobs, stores and business to close down, families to run out of money, heavy taxes to be issued on everything, people to literary beg for food. The whole atmosphere becomes so depressing as we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas.

This is the time that we lift up our voices and speak about the goodness of God, the need to return to the values of the Bible. At the same time there is a mobilization for acts of mercy to the people in need. The church of Christ has a unique opportunity to play its redemptive role in this very challenging situation.

• Please be praying for our churches as they reach out and help people in need.
• Pray for our bookstores which are oasis of hope in the market places offering the message of God to people who need it so desperately.
• Pray for special programs we will be having around Christmas
• Pray for St. Luke’s hospital as they minister the physical and spiritual needs of many people
• Pray for our coworkers and their families as they face tremendous pressures, like everybody else, so their testimony will be clear and vivid.
• Pray for the situation in Europe which becomes worst every day which creates a global perplex prospective

Let’s focus on our Lord and seek His presence during these challenging days.

Till next time,

Fotis R.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Greece   |  1 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment