A Place to Grow and Belong for GEM Workers’ Kids
October 28, 2026
In the large meeting room of Ovoca Manor in the middle of a beautifully green Irish forest, awaited a surprise. Though it was the last week of July, Christmas had thrown up across the two conjoining rooms. With fully decorated Christmas trees, wreathes, signs, and stockings, the third night of GEM-K was ready to commence.
Outside of the shut doors, teenagers were buzzing in anticipation—as they always were—for the epic party that was thrown during camp. This time, the theme they dressed up for was essentially “any kind of party”. The real theme? Christmas in July. Shouts of surprise filled the room as the teenagers spilled through the open doors and the party began.
GEM-K is not just another youth group.
Kristiana Miller, who is the official Team Leader of the program, was once a teen in the program herself. Growing up in Vienna, Austria—where she now resides with her husband and two daughters—looked forward to GEM-K more than anything else.
“It was the context where I felt the most understood, the most relaxed, and the most free to be myself. I knew that the adults around me cared about me,” Kristiana said.
Ryan Taylor, also a former GEM-K participant and now GEM worker, working for GEMStone Media, spoke similarly when reflecting on his own time. He remembers “coming home from [camp] and feeling like I had gone through something really special. It really feels like this contained, protected thing that you get to be a part of for a little bit of time, and you kind of carry it with you until you get to go back.”
Both Kristiana and Ryan volunteered for a camp on separate occasions with the assumption that it was a one-time thing. Years later, their summer and winter plans are still planned around GEM-K camps.
The ministry within Greater Europe Mission began running over two decades ago, with its original focus on teens, aged thirteen through graduation. The children’s program is a recent addition, geared towards newborns through 12-year-olds. They support the children of Europe-based GEM workers, whether they are cross-cultural workers or working in their home country.
Kristiana believes that “missionary kids have a uniquely powerful need to belong and be understood and to make their faith their own.” GEM-K strives to give kids and teenagers a safe space to navigate the intensity they experience as third culture kids with someone outside of their everyday life.
The heart behind the ministry is not to replace what parents are doing inside of their homes but rather the goal is to have “a unity between GEM-K and what their parents are doing and pouring into their kids.” It’s also not meant to be something that lasts while they’re under 18 or only during their time with GEM. Rather, Ryan testifies that the ministry “creates a rootedness; there’s something to draw from” when a GEM-K first goes into the world on their own after graduation.
Ryan recalls two people who went through GEM-K who had struggles after graduating and fell away from their faith. They’ve had their own journeys, but ultimately, they were able to draw from their experience, connections, and lessons from GEM-K, where they’ve now found themselves in stable places in their faith. They were pursued and kept in relationship even after leaving the program—all because of the trust that had been built up when they were kids.
Kristiana has seen the Lord working through this ministry in a number of different ways. God has “provided the staff we needed when we needed them, protected us from major disaster, and made space for incredible joy and laughter.” She says she’s also seen it bring both teenagers and staff into the light where they’ve been able to “confess things and admit struggles, talk through major doubts, and feel less alone [in those doubts and struggles].”
The children’s side of the program, headed by Esther Bullock, runs during GEM’s biennial events for Europe-based workers and during other internal retreats/events. The teen program has its camp during the biennial event as well, during the summertime on the off years, and every winter. Both teams are available via request to help at national gatherings. They do not want to take over the program if something is already planned, but rather be there as a pastoral presence to collaborate and care.
When asked what Kristiana wished that parents knew about their program, she responded with this: “I wish they knew that GEM-K is fighting for their kids—their thriving and their faith. We want to see them live their best life, know Jesus, and we’re also going to love them whether or not they fit a particular mold. We want them all!”
When asked what they want kids and teens within GEM to know, they both conveyed how much fun it is. It’s about “having a space to step out of your life and have fun with your friends and make new friends. The others are having the same experience as you. You’d be surprised at how quickly you fit in.” Camps are designed for teens to have a balance of fun while creating spaces for them to be able to reflect – such as in small groups, one-on-ones with staff, or during worship.
GEM-K is also always excited for new volunteers to come and help out, whether it be with the kids’ program or the teens program. Volunteers can testify that it’s not only the kids that are impacted during these program weeks, but it’s the staff as well.
If you have a heart for hanging out with kids or teens, silly fun parties, and helping to create an environment where children feel seen, known, and loved, there’s a space for you to volunteer! This opportunity is open to both internal GEM workers and those outside of GEM who wish to serve as well. To get the conversation started for volunteering, all you need to do is reach out to the team!
So much more can be said about the importance of this ministry and what they are all about. If you are a parent with questions, if your child has questions, or if you are thinking about volunteering, send an email to [email protected].
About the author: Madeline Hill serves full-time with Greater Europe Mission in Macedonia, partnering with a local business as mission organisation.