“Greece, believe in the LORD JESUS and you will be saved, you and your household!”
They replied, “Believe in the LORD JESUS, and you will be saved—you and your household.”(Acts 16:31,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 10.53 million
Area | 131,957㎢, Located in southeastern Europe at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula.
Capital City | Athens (3.15 million)
People Groups | Total 53 groups, Greek 86%, Albanian 3.3%, others 10%
Unreached People Groups | 11 Groups (2.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Greek
Total Languages | 46
Bible Translations | Completed 32, New Testament 4, Partial 5
Religion | Christianity 88.6% (Protestant 0.9%, Orthodox 84%), Muslim 7%, Non-religious 3.7% Evangelical 0.5%(50,000 people)
》 About Greece
Greece is the birthplace of European civilization. City-states like Athens and Sparta developed there. It was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. Greece became independent in 1830. It fought wars against Turkey in 1897 and 1919 to expand its land. These wars set the borders it has today. Over the next 100 years, Greece experienced civil wars and two dictatorships. It remained in tension with Turkey over Cyprus and the Aegean Sea. In 1981, Greece joined the EU. In 2004, it hosted the Athens Olympics and seemed more stable. But in 2009, the global financial crisis caused major problems. Poverty rose quickly, and youth unemployment reached 50%. Large numbers of migrants and refugees came from the Balkans, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, making the situation unstable. Greece is a parliamentary republic with a president. Katerina Sakellaropoulou has been president since 2020. Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been prime minister since 2019.
Greece’s economy is made up of about 40% public sector. Tourism accounts for around 18% of its GDP. Immigrants work mostly in farming and low-skill jobs. They make up about 20% of the workforce. Greece receives EU aid equal to about 3.3% of its GDP every year. COVID-19 badly affected tourism and the economy. In 2020, unemployment was around 17.2%. Government debt was expected to reach 199.6% of GDP. Although the IMF bailout program ended, under EU supervision, Greece must keep making reforms. It is expected to maintain strict financial policies for the next 30–40 years to repay its debt. Greece’s GDP per capita is approximately $25,800.
》 Scripture Focus
| Acts 16:9–10, 25–26, 30–34(NIV) 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that GOD had called us to preach the gospel to them. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to GOD, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the LORD JESUS, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the LORD to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in GOD—he and his whole household. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Christianity in Greece began with Paul’s Macedonian vision in Acts 16, where he was called to preach the gospel. Today, the Orthodox Church is the official state religion and makes up 84% of the population. However, many people see it as tradition or national identity. Less than 3% of Orthodox believers attend worship regularly. There is discrimination and resistance when someone converts from Orthodoxy to Protestantism. There are about 50,000 evangelicals. The Pan-Hellenic Evangelical Alliance (PHEA) represents them and handles cases of illegal discrimination well. Groups that focus on evangelism and discipleship include the Hellenic Mission (HM), WEC, OM, and AMG. Greece needs long-term mission work. Churches must actively pray, evangelize, and plant churches. Let us pray that the Orthodox Church, which resists Protestantism, will be transformed by the gospel and join together in Christ to share the message of salvation.
2. Foreign missionaries face many difficulties in Greece because of visa issues and hostility toward the gospel. International mission groups include the Great Europe Mission, Christian Brothers (CB), and International Team. Only a few Greek churches are involved in cross-cultural missions. But more young people are catching the vision and committing to missions. Greek missionaries are starting strategic mission work in nearby regions like the Arab world, Turkey, and the Balkans. Let us pray that Greece, which has resisted Protestant evangelism, will have hearts ready to receive the gospel. Let churches and missionaries boldly preach the words, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your household will be saved,” to those who cry out, “What must I do to be saved?”.
3. Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers come to Greece every year. Since 2015, many refugees from the Syrian civil war have entered Europe through the Mediterranean. As an EU member, Greece acts as a gateway for refugees to reach the rest of Europe. At first, many countries welcomed them, but then they closed their borders. The EU gave funds to Greece and left it to handle the crisis. The largest refugee camp is on the island of Lesbos, where people suffer from hunger, cold, and lack of basic needs like food and clean water. The island is close to Turkey and is the first crossing point for many refugees. Yet this place is also the first mission field where refugees can hear the gospel. Let us pray that Christian volunteers and missionaries can wisely share the love and truth of Christ. Let us pray that in all their trouble, Greece will hold on to Jesus and be saved not only from their problems, but from sin and death.
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