Tuesday, May 14
Our Greek brother, born in Cyprus (a 1.5 hour flight from Athens), shared from his heart with us, and we savored everything he shared. He and his family were forced to flee from his homeland by the bombing of the Turks in 1974 at the age of 13. His family lost their ancestral lands and inheritance, and as our Sovereign Lord would have it, much of his ministry is to the Turkish people, and to unwanted refugees from war-torn lands. His name means “Cross” and he has been married to Superman’s wife for the last 34 years.
He told us he had gotten his degree at a small university in Tennessee. When he asked us “Do you know where it is?” and we answered yes, he quipped “Of course! You are Americans, you know everything.” to which we laughed aloud.
He gave us an insiders perspective on what it is to minister as an evangelical pastor in Greece. Anyone who wants to start a church in Greece, is required by the Constitution to get signatures from everyone in your neighboring area, including the Orthodox priest, before being given legal status. In 1989 he started a non-profit, since registering as an actual church is made nearly impossible. The disadvantages of this is that the government can shut you down at any time, but this has not been a problem as of now. In fact, the government is grateful for and reliant on the work of this ministry with the refugee population.
When trying to evangelize in Greece, everyone’s response is “But, we are already Christian.” While it is a difficult place to serve, he shared the testimony of a young missionary he loves and admires who has been serving with his wife and children in a heavily Muslim area in North Macedonia, a more difficult place. In his 6 years of ministry there, one old man has come to Christ. He reminded us to be calling oriented rather than result oriented. Some people will have it big, some small. We are to be faithful regardless and acknowledge that God alone is in charge of the increase. It can be disappointing and discouraging, but human pain and suffering are a part of life. Do not lose heart.
After the 1989 founding of their ministry, the nation of Greece began to be flooded by Albanian refugees throughout the 1990’s, many having traveled on foot. I believe he said that there are currently 900,000 Albanians in Athens, making it the 2nd largest Albanian city outside of Albania.
Cross travels to the Balkans, and other areas of the world, working with groups on both side of bitter divides, particularly Israelis and Muslims. “We are about people. I lost my house but I love the Turks. He not only believes, but lives the three small words of Christ, “Love your enemies” Christ’s love can be seen in living color in his life and ministry.
For the last 3-4 years they have ministered to 30,000 refugees, serving hot meals, providing medical care and childcare, and setting up distribution centers. He has mobilized 48 teams of fellow believers of different backgrounds and denominations to address the needs. They provide daily babysitting for those refugees undergoing the year-long asylum process.
They have humbly come alongside the government, and asked “How can we help you?
He gave the miraculous account of his now brother in Christ from Turkey who was waiting to board a boat with his family. He saw a face from the clouds, come down into the water and be lifted up as a cross. He didn’t feel peace about having his family enter that boat. Indeed, all the people on that boat died. When he entered a church and saw the exact replica of the cross he had seen in the warning, he and his family confessed Christ.
While he certainly believes in evangelism and correct theology, discipleship and staying engaged and in loving relationship with others is the most important part. He pointed out how Jesus invested in 12 crazy men, spent the majority of his ministry on earth pouring into them.. Relationships take time, loving people, serving people, “This is not a hit and run. Make friends. Love people. It’s okay if it takes forever. We are not McDonalds.”
While we all love mountain top experiences, he pointed out that we would never make it to the top of Everest, and then wish to stay there. It’s a journey, in which every day is beautiful, if arduous. Every day is a new opportunity. See how God is working in You before You see how He is working for and in others.
He reminded us to pray for our authorities and politicians. That it doesn’t matter if we agree with them. Just pray
Many failures, many mistakes, many sicknesses, but those too can be a blessing, bringing humility and new lessons.
People are going to start to re-church. They are looking for authentic community, not programs. People remember less of what you say and more of what you do.
He showed us pictures of the gypsy population which lives in “squads” or abandoned buildings filled with refugees they are illegally squatting in, but cannot be legally removed from. Many are without electricity or running water, but these places are chosen over camps, which can be awful. The gypsy community is often plagued by total illiteracy, domestic violence, incest and molestation, marriages at the age of 12
When asked is he worried about Mosques being built in Greece? They will be built, no one can stop them. People will worship who they will worship, our job remains the same.
He sees refugees as someone to love and to serve. Not to someone who threatens your way of life and your freedom and resources (although they may do that too). He has a kingdom perspective in which each person who is brought there is another person to love, to bless, to pray for.
Who can protect who at the end of the day? He has been to jail because of evangelism and banned from certain countries. If he should be blown up, or martyred…”I stand before Christ all the sooner!”
“Love people. Just love people. Love never fails. I read it somewhere!”
I was convicted by the way I tend to view current and future immigrants into our country and our region. Yes, in human wisdom, there are reasons to reject the people flooding in. It’s inconvenient. Expensive. Messy. Bothersome. Unknown. Our kingdom is ultimately not of this world. America is not our final home. All nations of the earth will eventually pass away ( not that due diligence doesn’t need to be done to protect our nation and I will pray for those commissioned with this task ). I desire that I would see the entrance of Muslims in particular, not as an assault on our way of life, but as a beautiful opportunity of someone to learn from, pray for and find ways to love, as God’s Spirit empowers and leads the way.
I was deeply moved from the testimony and exhortation of this dear man. He felt to me like a modern-day Paul. He had so little of himself to talk about, and so much of Christ. There were no payment envelopes to fill out, no fancy powerpoint (not that there is anything wrong with necessary fund-raising this way). He asked us not to use his name or his picture at all, and asked us to be careful not to take pictures of international Christian ministers and post them online. Just three days ago, a brother was beaten due to a connection that was made by what a well-meaning person posted on social media. His was a heart set on fire for Christ and full of love for ALL people, in a personality and perspective uniquely his own. He was fully himself and fully Christ’s. I asked him to pray for me that I could be delivered from fear. He reminded me that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Imagine your life without fear, what would it be like? Free, I said. We will pray for that
No comments:
Post a Comment