WHO
This July, a group of Juniors and Seniors from RPCYouth will head to Athens, Greece, to serve alongside the local church plant Πνοή Ζωής (Breath of Life) as they reach out to build relationships with their community in the neighborhood of Neos Kosmos.
Erik & Hara Petrou in Athens
“In a post-Eastern Orthodox context, Greeks might be culturally religious but suspicious and opposed to the protestant church. Most neighborhoods in Athens like our own do not have access to the Gospel. Through our ministry we are establishing a church that provides the neighborhood with the Gospel in a permanent basis. ” Erik Petrou, Pastor of Breath of Life
WHAT
Our team will serve as the hands and feet of the church during Outreach Festivals, hosting VBS, working with the Roma population, and with a minisitry called Damaris House.
MINISTRY AREAS
Outreach Festivals: In the evenings students will plan, stage, and execute games, sports, and crafts as part of a larger street festival outreach in a local park centered in a neighborhood called Neos Kosmos. Students will be challenged to overcome cultural and communication barriers while helping connect the church with the neighbors.
VBS at Breath of Life Church: In the mornings, half the team will help host VBS for the church families and the local children they have met through the festivals. Through crafts, music, games and Bible study, our team will help share the gospel and teach children the truths of scripture.
Petalouda Day Center: The other half of our team will be working with an organization focused on ministry to the Roma population living in the outskirts of Athens. A fun-loving people, the Roma people live in less-than-ideal conditions and the Center seeks to both meet their physical needs through mercy ministry as well as their spiritual needs through Bible study, music, and prayer.
Damaris House: While we will not spend a lot of time here, the team will get the opportunity to visit and hear a presentation on what God has been doing through the ministry of Damaris House to women who were previously caught in sex trafficking. Through job skills training, Bible study, room and board the staff there have been able to rescue many women out of tragic circumstances and give them great hope in Jesus.
Ancient Biblical Sites: The team will have the privilege to take several field trips to some significant historical sites from the Book of Acts including the Aeropagus (Acts 16), Ancient Corinth and Cinchrea (Acts 18).
HOW
Fundraising Needs
For all transportation (flights and getting around Athens), lodging, and food-- the trip will cost ~$3000 per person.
Will you consider partnering with us for this mission?
Note: On the Giving Page, please select Give to International Mission Trips (Greece) from the drop-down fund menu. Then, in the Comments Section below your payment information, please designate the team member you are supporting if applicable. If you are giving to the General Team Fund, just leave that part blank. Thank you!