Project Thessalonica | Bringing The Church Back to Thessalonica

June 16

Posted on June 17, 2012 by admin

Today we should all stop and spend time in prayer for Project Thessalonica

1. It is time to offer praises to the Lord our God for the incredible ways He has showed His power, might and grace since the work began.

2. For the many who are sincerely enquiring after truth, we must pray that their hearts and minds may be opened and that their souls may be saved.

3. Brother Angelo in particular, but the Logan family as well, are most weary and need rest and strength.

4. Brother Brent writes, “Please pray for our visa situation. An American citizen can stay 6 months within a one year period in Greece without a visa, howbeit in 90 day increments. Therefore, when we entered Greece, our family was given 90 days to stay in the country without a visa. After that period of time, we must leave the country for a period of time before returning unless a visa is obtained. Knowing this, we traveled to Athens to see a Christian lawyer within two weeks of crossing the border to expedite our needed visas. Because of the slow work ethic here, we are still waiting for permission to stay in the country. We have a little over a week remaining. My lawyer has assured me that there is no problem, and we will not have to depart, but it is unsettling to say the least to see things come down to the wire. The lawyer tells me that I may have to fly to meet with him in the Greek Consulate in Romania to finalize the issue next week. We have really leaned on the advice of our lawyer in all these matters. Please pray that nothing will hinder the obtaining of the visas. It is in the Lord’s hands, and it is not our desire to go back to Romania for 2 weeks, much less 3 months, until this is resolved. Too much is happening here for the cause of Jesus Christ to be set back with this. Some people stay beyond the legal limit and pay fines or live with not getting to return later, but this also is not our desire.”

5. The Grandstaffs from Ridge Road Baptist in Alabama are the next team in, traveling Monday to join the work.

6. The Greek elections are TODAY. People must return to the town of their birth in order to vote. We do not know how this will affect church attendance. Most importantly, we need to pray that the outcome of this election will be favorable to the gospel work in Thessalonica and throughout Greece.

Thank you so much for your continued interest in Project Thessalonica.

The Photo is of the Sign on the window of the church building. It can be seen from the main road running through the city. Praise God!

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June 15

Posted on June 16, 2012 by admin

It’s that time. Linda and I head back to DeLand tomorrow morning. We will arrive in Orlando Saturday evening.

Had a good, full last day here.

Linda and I rode the 8:25 bus into the city from the Logan’s town.

We gave out lots of tracts and witnessed on the bus, near bus stops, in drug-addict alley, and in the main square.

At one bus stop, a G.O. priest dressed in his full black attire, shouted again and again to us in Greek that “There is only one church. Everyone not part of the Orthodox church is going to hell,” after looking at the copyright of our Greek Bible and seeing that it was not put out by the Orthodox group. He would not listen to our responses.

At around noon, Avra, who we met with on Tuesday, met us in the city square again. We walked to get coffee again and talked over an open Bible for about an hour, trying to answer more of her questions. She said she still has more questions, but is looking forward to coming back to the church service this Sunday. Praise God she is still seeking!

In the evening, after packing and dinner, several of us drove up to the new-church building. We saw the new sign that was put on the front window, the new painting that is almost finished, and they moved in the piano.

The sign looked GREAT! The name of the church (Bible Baptist Church (in Greek) and the picture of an open Bible can be seen from a main road running through the city. The time of the service- Sundays at 11:30- is also on the sign. It really turned out well and bold, and it only cost 65 Euros to have it made and applied onto the window (50 for the sign and 15 for graffiti-proof protection).

The painting, a light-blue, was well-done too. Electricity and ceiling lights should be set up soon. Praise God.

PRAY THAT GOD WILL FILL THIS CHURCH-HOUSE WITH MANY BORN-AGAIN PEOPLE!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:

Brother Logan’s visa to stay in Greece will expire Monday, June 25. Please pray that his lawyer who lives in Athens (about a 6 hour drive away) will get the job done that he said he would do in getting the Logan family the new visas they need to stay in Greece. Otherwise Brother Logan and possibly his family too will need to leave the country for a certain amount of time.

With new teams coming and going, they don’t want to have to miss any days here.

TEAM 2 ON OUR WAY OUT. PRAY FOR TEAM 3-BROTHER GRANDSTAFF AND HIS SON COMING FROM ALABAMA-ARRIVING ON TUESDAY!

Church family, we are looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

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June 14

Posted on June 15, 2012 by admin

PRAISE OUR GOD FOR HOW HE IS WORKING HERE AND DRAWING PEOPLE IN!

Brother Angelo said he is overwhelmed at the quick responses to the gospel.

Brother Logan and Brother Angelo began the day with a meeting with Alexadrous, the printer who will make the sign for in front of the church-building. After completing their business, Brother Angelo asked him where he was born and they learned that Brother Angelo’s dad and Alexandrous’s dad are from the same village! This seemed to soften his expression. He then went on to explain that he was Greek Orthodox but hated the churches, the priests, and the traditions. Then he asked them what the difference was between an Orthodox and a Baptist church. Bro Angelo explained the gospel and the difference between any religion and Biblical salvation. The man said the gospel made sense. Bro Angelo asked him what he was going to do about it, telling him he needed to turn from sin to Christ alone for his soul’s salvation. He was not willing to take that step yet. (For those Americans who are looking to get prayers prayed instead of souls saved, when Paul went to Thessalonica the Holy Spirit reports they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

On the street today, we shifted from the main square and set up with the scripture signs, preaching, and tracts at the Galerius Arch. Many stopped to read the scripture signs, receive tracts, and ask questions.

While we stayed in that area, Brother Angelo and Brother Logan went to see Kiriakos, a man who called Brother Angelo today asking him to come and visit him at his office. He had received a tract several weeks ago in a bank and now wanted to know more. As they walked to his office today, he opened up his heart and said he could talk to no one he knew, but he felt comfortable pouring his heart out to a stranger — and that he did. He said he was at the end of his rope: financially, spiritually, in every way. Bro Angelo shared his testimony with him, preached the gospel, and left him with more gospel tracts. Kiriakos said he would read the literature and would like to meet again.

In the evening, Brother Angelo and Brother Logan were called and invited into a family’s home. This family had relatives on the island of Zakynthos who had informed them of us being in their area. They have lived here for 20+ years, but are of Albanian descent. They are Orthodox but are searching for the truth. After Bro Logan and Bro Angelo explained God’s simple plan of salvation, they declared they had never heard anything like that in all their lives. The JW’s had been there and had only confused them more. When the meeting was finished, they expressed their desire to come to church and, more impressively, asked Bro Logan and Bro Angelo to come back so that they could gather their village together to hear the simple plan of salvation.

Driving home, Bro Angelo’s phone rang AGAIN. This time it was Kosta. He said he received a gospel tract in the city today and read for the first time in his life of eternal life through Christ. He loved what he read. He asked if Bro Angelo would go out with him for coffee to discuss this.

At home, Angelo’s phone ran yet AGAIN. This time it was James. He said he had received a gospel tract from a group of American ladies in the village where our houses are located. He said he wanted to come to church and asked for directions. He said he hated the Orthodox religion, that he was saved and wanted to come to church to fellowship. After receiving details, he said he’d be there with bells on.

It is almost impossible to describe the non-stop doors of opportunity to give the gospel to curious and hungry souls in this city. Please continue to pray!

Lazarus the painter works on new church-building ceiling

Finalizing the painting plans

Look at the joy on their faces of how God is working here!

This couple asked what we were doing and listened attentively to gospel

This man, George, a drug-addict, heard how God could deliver him from the penalty and power of sin.

Many stopped to read Rom 1:16

Linda shares a tract at local market

Bro Angelo meets with Kiriakos

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June 13

Posted on June 14, 2012 by admin

The team had another good street meeting today in the city, after a meeting at the new church-building with the painter and electrician.

The men preached clear and hard near the large scripture signs the others held at the square. We gave out lots of tracts. A crowd began to gather and videotape when Brother Logan and his son started singing in strong deep voices for the Lord. Many people asked us what we were doing. Some were willing listeners to the truth. Others rejected us, tilting up their heads with proud looks. Some shook their fingers at us. But praise God many heard!

It was a very hot day today and it seemed more people avoided walking in the main square where we were so that they could stay under the shade along the side walkways.

A new wrinkle has emerged in this work. Since we first hit the streets here we have been confused by our encounters with those who attend the Evangelical Church, as it seems almost all of them lack any real understanding of salvation. The man photographed below cleared things up a bit. The man believed he was born again when he was baptized as a child. He said there were thousands of evangelicals like him in Thessalonica and that because they were baptized in an evangelical church they were saved and were like us. Another soon came along with a similar lack-of-testimony.

We had good follow-up visits in the late afternoon and again in the evening with people who had read tracts and wanted to learn more.

As you can see from the photo below, God has given us good relationships with those who work on the houses and now the church building. Please pray for the conversion of these men.

John was curious about the difference in orthodoxy and what we were proclaiming

Bro Logan and son sing in square

Bro Logan encourages George to seek truth in Bible not traditions which he was fed with

Meeting with painter (Lazarus) and electrician (Gregorios) of church-building

Jesus' blood not infant baptism needed to cleanse from sin.

This man could quote scriptures to Nicole in detail but still believed in his salvation through baptism

Brother Benjamin answers questions from a curious woman who came asking about the "mission" we are on

An orthodox woman insists on salvation by faith AND works and hears of salvation by faith in Jesus only

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June 12

Posted on June 12, 2012 by admin

June 12 Combining reports from Brother Logan and Sister Nicole

Upon arriving in the city center to spread the gospel, we put up our scripture signs AND IN 10 SECONDS we had a man named Vassilis (picture below) ask for the sign to be turned around so he could read it better. Afterwards, a wonderful conversation began with Angelo in Greek. This Greek man said he was not a believer and did not believe in churches or religion BUT that he believed the SIGNS WE HELD WERE TRUE BECAUSE IT WAS WHAT THE BIBLE SAID. Angelo explained to him the gospel and said, “What are you waiting for? Why won’t you be saved?” He said he knew he needed to be saved, knew what Angelo read from the Bible was the truth, and didn’t know why he had not yet accepted Christ. They exchanged phone numbers, he wanted the address of the church, and we hope to hear from him again.

Within 10 MORE SECONDS after this another man named Leonardus (picture below) drove up on a motorbike, received a tract, and asked what we were doing. Angelo told him and asked him if he died today where he would go. He said he had no idea. Angelo asked him if he wanted to know. He replied yes, turned off his motorbike, and said, “How can I know.” He further asked how could he know the truth with the JW’s, Orthodox, Catholics, Hindu, etc. all saying something different. Angelo explained that all religion tells you to do something to earn salvation while we proclaim the simple Bible message of God’s free gift through repentance and faith. He said he never had heard that before. Angelo told him that NO religion can save him and no one can save their own selves. In shock of the simple truth of the gospel he said, “I like that.” They exchanged phone numbers, and Angelo gave him the address to the church per his request.

Avra had intently read the Greek Bible we had given her Sunday. Nicole had encouraged her to read John 3. She had. On Monday, she directly asked Nicole over the phone about what Jesus meant in John 3 about being “born again”. With question after question, Nicole offered to meet with her at any time. Therefore, we planned at meeting around our witnessing time in the center. She came and walked to the coffee shop with Angelo and Nicole. They spent 2 hours with her over the word of God as we continued to pass multitudes of tracts and hold signs in the square.

Brother Angelo shared his testimony and preached the gospel hard and clear to Avra and had her read many verses on salvation. She could not believe being saved could be so simple. He pointed her to 2 Cor 11:3. She listened intently to him and then to Linda as she testified of God’s saving work in her life. After they ran out of tracts on the street, Brother Logan came and joined the conversation. She asked him to explain an illustration he used in his sermon during the first church meeting this Sunday. She wanted to understand how we could know God but he could not know us. He explained that we can know about God but he won’t know us as His children until we receive His salvation through Christ.

Angelo asked Avra why she was so interested in us. Meeting Avra had been a curious situation with us to say the least. During the first course of this evangelism effort, Avra had abruptly walked up to Bro. Logan, taken a tract, and asked in English if we had a church somewhere. He told her we hoped to have one soon and pointed her to the phone number on the back. She then had quietly walked away without another word or question. She later called to speak with Angelo begging us not to forget her when we opened a place for services. She even wanted to come help clean. Why? As they sat in the coffee shop today, she related the rest of the story of being in the city center drinking a coffee in a nearby coffee shop when she saw the first team of witnesses come to the center square. She drank her coffee as she watched us sing, give tracts, and preach the gospel. She was drawn to recognize the scoffing and rejection of many, but she also understood all the preaching going on in English. She heard Bro. Logan declare the gospel and the message of joy and peace within. She heard the cries of how money, sin, and pleasure didn’t satisfy. She heard that man’s problems could not be solved by anything or anyone but by salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. She became convinced sitting in that coffee shop that those preaching and giving the good news on the street before her WERE TELLING THE TRUTH AND THAT THEY WERE DIFFERENT. She got up went straight to Bro. Logan and asked for the tract from the man who had been screaming about the One Savior who had the answers for her life. “I know you all have experienced what you are telling people, and I need that,” she said in the coffee shop. She is overwhelmed of the simplicity of the gospel to the point she is having a difficult time accepting it, although she is so close to taking that step. She has acknowledged her sinfulness. She assented that the gospel we have shown her through the Scripture is the truth. She also had thought much about the preaching from Sunday. The words of Christ rang down in her heart, “I never knew you.” “I want God to know me,” she spoke. “The whole reason I came here today to talk with you again is because I want to be born again. I want Jesus to be my Savior.” She again was told of how one becomes a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ alone. She left the table promising to continue to read the Scriptures and consider her decision to receive Christ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR THIS MEETING WITH AVRA THAT WENT SO WELL! Avra is very close to salvation. Pray for this soul for whom Jesus died.

Passerby on moped stopping to ask questions

Within a minute of arriving on the square, Brother Angelo was busy in conversation

Brother Logan speaking at the square

This man spoke great English and insisted to me that we cannot believe the Bible is true

Avra is seeking God

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June 10 – Part 2

Posted on June 11, 2012 by admin

I believe Bro Logan and Linda have sent some great pics/video and updates about the service today, so I’ll just send some highlights…

Good first church service today here in Thessaloniki. Praise God!

One Romanian family and one Greek woman were in attendance, besides us American/Australian laborers. Each of the visitors appear to be lost.

Brother Logan preached about the necessity of Christ as our foundation. We sang hymns in Greek, Romanian, and English. Linda played guitar.
The Greek verses in the singing were a bit rough, but we came in strong on the chorus! The visitors all listened attentively and stayed after for more discussion.

The Greek woman, Avro, received a tract from Brother Logan in the city square a few weeks ago. She is the woman who called Brother Angelo’s number on the tract and offered to help clean the church building or help in any way. When she came this morning promptly for the service, she even came with a large box of chocolates to share.

After the service, Avro offered to transpose the Greek hymns into English letters to help me learn the pronunciation. Her English is very good.
When I told her Linda and I were leaving before next Sunday, she insisted on getting together again before we left. We gave her a Bible and I encouraged her to read John 3 before the next time we met. I called her tonight and she agreed to meet us in the city square on Tuesday at 11:30. She also said that she had already read John 3, as well as some other passages from the Bible. She asked about what it meant to be born again (Praise God!) and also expressed concern about how she can have a relationship with God after being divorced 7-8 years ago. She mentioned she has seen a video called Jesus of Nazareth which has left an impression on her.

On Tuesday at 11:30 we will meet with her over an open Bible at a coffee shop near the square. Please pray for this meeting and Avro’s salvation.

Today I also got hands-on experience learning the Greek alphabet by helping Brother Angelo translate a Greek hymn into English so us non-Greek speakers can know what we are singing and that it is sound doctrine. Brother Angelo translated, Bethany Logan read the Greek letters out loud, and I typed the Greek and English. It was fun. It only took us about 3 hours to translate one hymn! Tomorrow Benjamin Logan will play it on the piano and teach us the tune.

This evening Linda had an idea to make signs on the back of cereal boxes directing those who want spiritual help and freedom from their sins to call Brother Angelo’s phone number. Her and Lydia Logan posted and taped the signs around town. Please pray our God will bring fruit from these efforts.

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June 10

Posted on June 11, 2012 by admin

GLORY TO THE LAMB
First service held in Thessaloniki

I debated on whether or not to invite all the people with whom we had been in contact to our first service. Many people to whom you are strangers are influenced by their first opinions. Our building with NO electricity means we had no lights even for the bathroom. In addition the walls are in great need of painting and repair. There are wires sticking out all around, and much junk in the back that cannot be hauled off until Monday morning when the garbage runs in the city. This is not the way you want to introduce people to your first service. Nevertheless, we had several people who begged us to call the moment we had a facility. I had Bro. Angelo make about 7 phone calls to these select people. We were not able to pass tracts with information about the meeting place and time since we obtained the contract hurriedly only four days ago.

In all we had twelve people in church today. This means that four visitors came to our quickly called meeting. However, another man (Theodore) called Angelo’s phone (which was turned off) during the service. He was trying to find us. This man searched for one hour trying to find our location without success. He even walked into (and out of) a Mormon assembly trying to find where we were. Angelo gave him more details of our location and planned to meet him for next Sunday. He told Angelo he loved him.

One dear Greek lady named Avra brought a box of very nice chocolates with her to pass out to everyone. We apologized for the condition of the building, and she replied, “I did not come for the building but for the word of God.” She was extremely thankful for the Greek Bible we gave her exclaiming that she could not understand the very old Greek Bible she had at home. She enjoyed the service listening intently to the message, singing the songs, and indicated to Angelo she had been given a lot to think about.

Two Romanian ladies and a child also came. One was Roxana of whom we wrote. I talked with her after the service about the many problems in her life. It seems obvious that all of these people have never been born again but are seeking something. Today the message came from God’s word in Matthew 7. Jesus spoke of 2 ways, 2 fruits, 2 witnesses, and 2 men’s houses. There are really only 2 options in life. Pray that they will make the right decision and respond to the gospel when they truly have the understanding. It takes time to undo years and years of bad ideas especially when you have never heard the clear gospel before.

All of the people that attended today plus Theodore who couldn’t find us stated that they would come next Sunday. We will begin to publicize the address and meeting time more. Pray that the electricity and painting will be finished before next Sunday and that more will attend.

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June 9

Posted on June 10, 2012 by admin

Church family,

Today our plans to be out on the street here were setback. I had some sort of allergic reaction which manifested itself in a very sudden swelling within my right eye, just before we were about to head out for the day.

Brother Logan ended up taking me to the hospital to be seen. The Dr gave me some cortisone, and said he saw no damage to the eye. Thank God. Eye looks fine now. The Dr said he was saved in 1974 and is an elder at an evangelical church. He gave us a discount of only 30 Euros to be seen instead of the normal 40+.

Although I was in a daze most the day on Benedryl, the others here continued in their faithful labors for our Lord.

At the Logan house, the girls stamped more Greek tracts.

At the hospital, while I was being seen, Linda hand-wrote notices in Greek about the location of the Bible Study starting tomorrow, which we later taped on apartment buildings near the new building that will serve as the meeting place for the church. She is a fireball for Jesus.

At about 7 I finally came out of my Benadryl daze.

We practiced a Greek hymn for tomorrow’s first meeting. Brother Logan and Brother Angelo studied and prepared for their preaching. Linda and I went out into the town in the evening, giving tracts and witnessing.

Please pray for Mary, a Greek Orthodox older woman who works at a nearby bakery who needs to be born again. Please pray for the worker at Micro Shop nearby. He is a Greek Orthodox who speaks great English and listened very politely to the gospel, but has yet to receive it for himself.

Please pray for the FIRST CHURCH MEETING TOMORROW, that God would bring those ready to receive the gospel, speak through His preachers, and above all that HIS name would be magnified in all that is done.

The Romanian family the Logan’s met on the square while Brother James & Lilian & Kristen were here said they plan to be there tomorrow. So the Logan’s also plan to sing one song in Romanian for them.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Pics:
1. Not quite the day I expected
2. Lydia Logan stamping tracts
3. Bethany Logan stamping tracts
4. Mrs. Cindy Logan preparing olives

Not quite the day I expected

Lydia Logan stamping tracts

Bethany Logan stamping tracts

Mrs. Cindy Logan preparing olives

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June 8 Part 2

Posted on June 9, 2012 by admin

Brother Logan writes:

Good evangelism today in the city square, but a little more opposition than normal. It is getting evident that the open-air preaching of the word of God is having an effect. The preaching of the cross is the power of God for salvation to believing hearts or an offense to those who would reject the Bible. Tracts and music are good works of God, but when the preaching begins it SHAKES THINGS up quickly.

Two rabid G.O. women vehemently attacked Angelo calling us heretics. It was very clear that religion was their god. They hugged and kissed the idolatrous crosses around their necks while spewing hatred toward the truth.

One of the women (pictured below) told Angelo, “You all can go to hell. Get out of our country. I don’t care what the Bible says. I will go to the police and have you arrested.” The Greek man standing by in the picture said, “Shame on you for speaking like that.”

I had 2 conversations with Romanian ladies today. One was physically disabled. She communicated to me her belief that God will allow all people with such infirmities into heaven. I informed her of the biggest infirmity of her life…sin. She must repent and believe the gospel or her sin will drag her to hell with all the other unbelieving healthy individuals. The other lady was the one mentioned in the previous report! She spotted us in the square and came over to us for conversation. She said she wants to come Sunday for the Bible study. I told her again that the building was rough with no electricity or renovation, but she insisted that was no concern to her. She also said she had some serious problems she wished to discuss with someone. She needed help. I thought maybe it was of a financial nature, but she deferred saying it was more serious than anything like that. Pray for Roxana.

The last conversation I want to report was a wonderful encouragement. A man approached me while watching my son preach. He exclaimed in English, “That takes courage!” I replied, “Someone needs to show some courage for the Lord Jesus Christ in public.” In a self-convicting way, he agreed that someone needed to do what we were doing in his city. I asked him if he was born again. He told me that indeed he was saved. I asked him when this took place. Without hesitation, he said 12 years ago. He asked some further questions about us. When I let him know that we were Baptists and of our desire to start a church, he wanted to know when and where. I told him of the building we had secured and that our first service would be this Sunday howbeit in rough condition. He shook his head and smiled. “I have an appointment this weekend, but if the Spirit of God wants me to change my plans and come this Sunday I will. If not, then I will see you the following Sunday.” How we pray that all of these promises are not empty. If all the people eventually come who said they would, then we have a good group to work with already. Pray that nothing hinders these people, and that they are serious about their desire. Time will tell about each of them. We will continue to do our job regardless.

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ΒΙΒΛΙΚΗ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ