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A brief overview of our first 65 years.
1942—The Organization is founded
George Georgakis and Nicholas Lambrides organized the American Committee for the Evangelization of the Greeks. The organization sent gospel literature overseas and provided aid for undernourished and homeless children in Greece. Likewise, in America, it sponsored Greek children in a nearby orphanage and produced a bilingual gospel magazine in Greek and English called The Voice of the Gospel.
1946—Spiros Zodhiates Joins AMG
Spiros Zodhiates came to America to begin his ministry as field representative for the American Committee for the Evangelization of the Greeks. He also became editor of the Greek and English magazine, The Voice of the Gospel.
1947—Greek Broadcasts and Newspaper Messages
AMG began Greek gospel broadcasts, with Spiros Zodhiates as the speaker, in New York City and published gospel messages in a Greek newspaper, The Atlantis of New York. It was the first time that gospel messages had ever been published in a Greek newspaper.
1949—The Word of God Invades Greece
Spiros Zodhiates sailed for Greece with 15 tons of the new edition of the Modern Greek New Testament. While distributing these New Testaments on the island of Crete, Zodhiates’ perspective on ministry changed forever. A barefoot little girl, clothed in rags, asked him for bread to give to her dying mother and little brother. From that point on, AMG did more than preach the gospel; it also practiced it by feeding the hungry, caring for destitute children, and healing the sick.
1951—New Testament Light Hits the Airwaves
Daily and weekly broadcasts of New Testament Light, an exegetical teaching program that insightfully explores the original Greek meaning of the New Testament, began in Red Lion, PA. With Spiros Zodhiates as speaker, the ministry quickly expanded to air on stations all over the United States and Canada.
1953—AMG Establishes Orphanage and Bible Bookstores in Greece
AMG, in cooperation with the Greek Evangelical Church of Katerini, established the first evangelical orphanage in Katerini, Greece. In post-World War II Greece, 80 percent of the country’s children were tubercular. AMG provided large quantities of anti-tubercular drugs, saving thousands of lives.
AMG also opened its first evangelical bookstore in Athens, followed by one in Thessaloniki. Today AMG operates four bookstores in Greece.
1958—Name Changes to American Mission to the Greeks.
1959—AMG begins publishing gospel messages in Greek newspapers.
1961—State Church Forbids Zodhiates’ Gospel Newspaper Messages in Greece
After two years of newspaper evangelism in Greece, the ministry had expanded so much that it caught the attention of the state church. Its governing body issued an official four-page pamphlet asking the people not to read AMG’s messages in the press. The state church then required that the pamphlet be read in all Greek churches, and they distributed over 600,000 copies throughout the country. However, this action backfired, and God used it to His glory…as a result, Spiros Zodhiates became a national figure overnight.
Zodhiates Prosecuted for Proselytism
1961 also marked the first of nine trials against Spiros Zodhiates for proselytism, which is converting others to one’s own religious faith, and has been a crime in Greece. However, the Lord gave tremendous victories to Zodhiates as well as opportunities to preach in court. He was not convicted on any of the charges.
1962—AMG Moves
AMG moved its offices from New York City to its own building in New Jersey. A Greek man, who was saved as a result of AMG’s gospel advertisements in the newspaper, bequeathed most of the funding needed for these facilities.
1966—Dr. Zodhiates Becomes President of AMG
Co-founder Nicholas Lambrides’ sudden death placed Dr. Spiros Zodhiates as president of the organization. At Lambrides’ funeral, Zodhiates announced his decision to build, by faith, a hospital in Greece in Nick’s memory. Nine years later, this goal was accomplished when St. Luke’s Hospital opened its doors.
1967—From Greece to the World
A military dictatorship came to power in Greece, making evangelistic efforts difficult. Instead of shutting down its operations, AMG expanded its work all over the globe.
1970—AMG India Is Established
AMG began ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the Indian people; as the second most populous nation on earth, India is also one of the neediest. In particular, AMG began a powerful, life-changing ministry with India’s three million leprosy sufferers.
1973—Muslim Newspapers Carry Gospel Messages
A large milestone for newspaper evangelism was surpassed when Muslim newspapers in Indonesia began accepting gospel advertisements. AMG’s outreach grew through this stronghold in Indonesia, resulting in support of national workers, a Bible school, correspondence courses, and child care centers.
1973-1978—AMG Begins Ministering in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines
1974—Name Changed to Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel International
Due to AMG’s increasingly global focus, the organization changed its name to AMG International (Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel), thus keeping the familiar acronym of AMG.
1975—St. Luke’s Hospital Opens in Thessaloniki, Greece
After nine years of preparation, AMG opened a 220-bed hospital hospital with state-of-the-art facilities in the Biblical city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Since then, St. Luke’s has offered physical and spiritual care to nearly 200,000 patients.
Pulpit Helps Magazine Begins Publication
AMG also expanded its ministry in the United States through Pulpit Helps, a monthly publication designed to serve pastors and Bible teachers.
1976— AMG Begins Work in Guatemala
On February 4, 1976, an earthquake shook Guatemala, killing over 25,000 people and leaving thousands homeless. After the earthquake, AMG came to help pick up the pieces, and began a work that has expanded to include child care centers, a hospital, vocational schools, Camp Canaan, and newspaper evangelism.
Christ the Light of the World (CLW) Communications Group Established
This subsidiary of AMG International was established to serve churches and ministries with audio/electronic equipment and services. All profits help support the missionary activities of AMG International.
1978—AMG Moves International Headquarters to Chattanooga, Tennessee
1979—AMG Begins Work in Philippines and Thailand
1980—AMG Publishers Begins Outreach through the Written Word
AMG International began publishing books and other study material to help Christians grow in their walk with God.
1984—AMG Publishers Prints Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible
After nearly 50 years of studying the Bible—particularly the Greek New Testament—Dr. Zodhiates edited the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible. The Bible, an ideal word study tool, has more than one million copies in print.
1990—AMG Responds to the Fall of the Iron Curtain
When Eastern Europe opened to the Gospel, AMG responded with millions of Bibles and other Christian literature. Newspaper evangelism in Russia yielded three million responses, including scientists and former atheists. AMG began a variety of ministries in Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia.
1992—AMG Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Half a century after it began, AMG International (Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel) rejoiced and celebrated its history of ministry that began with Greece and expanded to the world.
1994—Kadyum Eye Hospital Opens in Rajahmundry, India
AMG’s ministry to leprosy sufferers expanded with the establishment of the Kadyum Eye Hospital, which provides free cataract surgeries to thousands of blind leprosy sufferers. Over 100 surgeries are performed each month.
1996—Paul Jenks Joins the Management Team of AMG International
After more than 15 years as an AMG missionary to Thailand, Paul Jenks returned to the United States to serve in the position of Chief Executive Officer. Jenks assumed many leadership responsibilities of AMG.
Crisis in Albania Threatens AMG Orphanage
Albania plunged into civil turmoil after a nation-wide investment scheme failed. After uncontrolled rioting and looting, all Americans were evacuated. However, one American stayed behind. Mark Nyberg, an AMG missionary, refused to leave the children at the Vlore Orphanage. Although danger surrounded the orphanage, the Lord protected Nyberg and all 60 children.
1997—New Facilities Completed at Berita Hidup Seminary in Indonesia
With the new facilities, Berita Hidup Seminary was able to train 100 students to be church planters and ministers. Indonesian national workers are helping to evangelize this predominately Muslim country.
1998—AMG Helps Hurricane Mitch Survivors in Guatemala and Honduras
Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America in October with several days of continuous rain. As a result, mudslides left thousands in Honduras and Guatemala homeless and hungry. AMG’s donors immediately offered help, contributing $250,000 for immediate survival relief and the relocation of 180 homeless families.
St. Luke’s Hospital in Greece Celebrates Helping 200,000 Patients
After 24 years of service, St. Luke’s Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece, rejoiced as it provided medical care for its 200,000th patient.
1999—AMG’s Ministry Extends to Approximately 50 Countries
More than half a century has passed since AMG began in 1942, yet the ministry is growing stronger with each passing day. AMG’s ministry work extends to approximately 50 countries, but its mission is not yet accomplished: to provide every person on earth with at least one opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel.
2002—AMG Celebrates 60th Anniversary
2003—Construction progresses at Cosmovision Center in Greece, preparing for 2004 Olympic outreach
2004— AMG Prepares for Massive Evangelism Campaign during Athens Olympics
More Than Gold, the umbrella organization that organizes evangelism efforts for the Olympics, designates AMG as a lead agency for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Thus, AMG returns home to its roots in Greece to reach thousands for Christ.
2005—Expansion at St. Luke’s Hospital. 30th Anniversary
Dr. Zodhiates named Chairman Emeritus
After almost 60 years of ministry leadership, at the age of 83, the Board elevates Dr. Zodhiates to the position of Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees and President Emeritus of AMG International in August, 2005.
Paul Jenks becomes President of AMG
After more than 15 years as an AMG missionary to Thailand and 9 years as Chief Executive Officer of AMG International, the Board elects Paul Jenks to the position of President of AMG International in August, 2005.
2007—AMG Celebrates 65th Anniversary
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