Posts by natwater
Hope 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,…
Read MoreTestimonies from Paris: God at Work at the Olympic Games
The 2024 Olympic Games had its fair share of newsworthy moments. Whether you tuned in or not, you likely heard of some of the victories and controversies that took place over the two-and-a-half-week period. How much of what you heard, though, pointed to God? With the nations of the world gathered in one city, surely…
Read MoreFrom Uncertainty to Belief: Jan’s Story
Jan seemed to enjoy the weekly dinners around Jay and Nancy Matsingers’ table as they led a small gathering through an Alpha Course. Together with the others in the group, the blond-haired, diminutive young professional expressed curiosity about the gospel and the Bible’s teachings. He was quiet, but that didn’t keep him from participating in the conversation and asking lots of questions.
Read MoreCommunity through Bible Study in Germany
“I’m not polished or perfect in any way, but…my calling was to help everybody else rise up—to encourage them to be authentic and real, so that those around them feel they can be genuine also.”
Read MoreEncouraging Believers in France Through Camp Ministry
How do Christian organisations like Greater Europe Mission, which are committed to spreading the Gospel and making disciples in Europe, support local believers?
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