Sean and Liz Thelen
Athens, Greece | 43300
Our Story
We are passionate about partnering with the local church in order to reach communities and the lost for Christ. The Lord led us to Greece through many different ways, but especially through the Refugee Crisis in 2015. GEM, to us, was leading the way in helping and being present to the needs of newcomers to Europe which gained our attention and led us to the organization as a whole. After that the Lord opened our eyes and expanded our vision as we began to ask for clarity for where we should serve. The Lord was asking us to reach Greeks and those located in Greece to know Him better by moving to Greece, learning Modern Greek, and serving within the local church. We believe that local leaders and people will be the most effective ministers of the Gospel to their own, but that we can support, encourage, and love through our actions and partnering together.
Where We Work
We now serve in the center of Athens in a neighborhood called Pangrati. It is home to many college students, families, and artists. We are connected and serving in a newly established church plant which is part of the Greek Evangelical Church. Pangrati Church also has a community center called The Pangrati Project where we hold different programs as outreach to our community. We are continuing to learn Greek and are volunteering as staff within the church and community center to help fill the daily needs.
Liz also serves on the core team of GEM's Spiritual Life Team as Admin and has loved being able to help with logistics of retreats and other administrative duties to help the spiritual wellbeing and growth for other missionaries.
* Pray that we would continue to build good relationships and bridges to Christ in our neighborhood.
* Pray for fluency in Greek in order to communicate well and in the heart language of those we minister with/to.
* Pray for the Church in Greece, that many would come to know Christ as their Savior.