Posts by natwater
Discovering Faith at a Christian Camp in Spain
The female counsellors at Spain’s L’Arcada Christian Camp never knew from week to week what type of campers they would have in their teepees. Would the girls be giggling and constantly whispering about boys, or would they be serious-minded seekers? It usually ended up being a combination of both and everything in between. GEM worker Dani Rhodes, who…
Read MoreCelebrations 2025: A Unifying Worship Service in France
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 Imagine what can happen when God’s children willingly and humbly work together for His glory. Not long ago, the Christian landscape in France was shaped by division and limited connection. While there were followers of Jesus, they were often…
Read MoreWhen the World is Your Home: A Children’s Book for Third Culture Kids
It started with a question. What happens when bedtime stories don’t reflect your child’s reality? For GEM worker Alyx Scholl, that question led to writing “When the World Is Your Home,” a book for children growing up between cultures. Alyx and her husband, Nick, have been serving with GEM in Italy since 2022, along with their two young children, ages four and one. The idea for the book came from a desire to…
Read MoreFinding Refuge in Athens: Ahmad’s Story
What if your decision to follow Christ cost you your family, friendships, community—or even your life? Ahmad, a Syrian refugee, was deeply impacted by the war in his country. The devastating loss of his brother led to his loss of faith in Islam. After fleeing to Athens, he, like many other refugees, felt hopeless. An…
Read MoreHope is Rising in the UK Church and Across Europe
“We all know that without Jesus, the Bread of Life, we go hungry spiritually.” Pastor Al Gordon in Shoreditch, UK has noticed the increase of loneliness, mental health issues, and addictions of the post-pandemic young people in the country. Yet, as they hit rock-bottom, they’re crying out for more. Many young people have started showing…
Read MoreBrewing Hope: How One Albanian Café Is Transforming Lives
There are more coffee shops per capita in Albania than anywhere in the world, but one offers more than just a good brew. The Bridge offers hope and community. In Albania, the unfortunate reality is that many citizens feel hopeless about their country and its economic prospects; anger and aggression run high; mistrust in the government and with one another runs rampant. These deep-rooted challenges need a soul-reaching solution. “We…
Read MoreDiscipleship Through Music Training in Romania
At a week-long event called “Junior Levites,” fourteen-year-old Anca sat quietly among her fellow teen musicians, taking part in a small group led by GEM worker Richard Mauney. At the beginning of the week, as the group discussed faith and serving God with their music skills, Anca listened carefully. Yet she was hesitant to speak. …
Read MoreFrom Coffee Conversations to Gospel Curiosity: How Discipleship Happens in Everyday Life in Italy
It started with bagels. When Greater Europe Mission worker Theo* and his team members noticed the familiar treats behind the counter at a coffee shop in a large Italian city, they hoped its owner, Allegra, would be open to hosting the English conversation evenings through which the team could reach out to the community. Not…
Read MoreDiscipling Austrian Youth Through Songwriting
Worship services vary widely depending on culture, denomination, and preference. Despite commonalities, everything from the length of the sermon to the style of prayer differs between congregations. As a musician, my attention tends to shift to the musical part of worship. Is there a band? If so, what is the arrangement? What genres of music…
Read MoreBridging Cultures: A Story of Discipleship in France
“You’ve changed,” said Mary-Vonn’s friends to her with concerned expressions. “What’s wrong with you?” When the slender sixty-year-old woman with dyed hair explained to them that she had finally put her faith in Jesus and become a true believer, the news didn’t go over well. “Aren’t we Catholics, after all?” They objected, clearly offended. “What…
Read MoreDiscipleship Multiplication Grows the Church in Europe
Discipleship multiplication is at the core of Greater Europe Mission, and the intentional, reproducible model Nathan Beck uses is one such example of Christ growing his Church. Having lived for more than two decades in the Czech Republic, Beck recently shared how discipleship multiplication is increasingly becoming the norm across Europe. After attending a discipleship…
Read MoreThe Right Place at the Right Time: Divine Encounters in Italian Church Planting
Matteo and Crystal Scamporlino glanced around, wondering which of the women standing nearby was the mother of the little boy with whom their daughter Sole had struck up a sudden friendship. The children chattered, chased, and played in the park as if they’d known each other forever. Three women stood nearby, engaged in conversation. Then,…
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