Project Thessalonica | Bringing The Church Back to Thessalonica

May 26

Posted on May 27, 2012 by admin

Prayer is a curious thing. God is the Almighty. He tells us to ask in faith believing, but what of those times when we would not have dared to ask so much and yet, He pours forth such gifts that one can only praise Him.

In the years of planning which led up to the start of Project Thessalonica all that we read of the people and culture of Greece, all that we heard from almost all those serving there or who had served there, and most of the feedback from pastors in America convinced us that we were setting out on a year of futility and persecution with much wasted expense. In our prayers we asked for more, but none of us asked for what we have received.

There was no way we could have anticipated the need to search for a meeting place before the end of the first tour, and yet, such was thrust upon us. Each day we were met by persons who sincerely wanted to know where they could come to study the Bible, where they could meet with us to learn more, phone calls came from those who read tracts enquiring as to our location. We were not prepared for any such response.

Add to this the reality that in Greece one cannot just start a church. There is a long and lengthy application process. There are many, many requirements to be met. If all of those could possibly be put in place then one must find, not a place to rent for in the current Greek economy there are countless empty places in the city, but one must find a property owner who will rent to someone wanting to start a non-Greek Orthodox church. The population is 98.5% G.O. and the entire culture is built upon loyalty to the national religion. But riding the wave after wave of joy over the events happening daily we began to search.

We called about numerous places on the main road leading through the heart of the city. Anything close to suitable was 2000 to 2500 euros per month. Several property owners made it absolutely clear they would not rent to us if we intended to study the Bible in their building.

One door in from the busiest highway bisecting the town, half way between the entrance to the city and the square where we preach, we found a suitable spot. We called the owner. Rent was 380 euros per month. Can this be? A few days later we went back and looked again. Space – enough. Location – very good, and a bus stop on the same block (no one could come to church and find a parking space in this city). Repairs needed – minimal (renter must provide light fixtures, air and heat unit, etc. in Greece). So what do we do?

Brother Logan called the dear pastor who has given us approval to carry their legal papers on the street in case there is any conflict. This good man has been thrilled to hear of God’s working in the city and has been a true source of encouragement from the start. He said, “Let me call the owner.” And he did. The next day he called Brother Brent and said (I am summarizing), “Our church is going to be the renter using our legal status, and the building will be rented as an annex (branch) of our church. We will sign the papers and take on all liability. This will allow you to legally start a church in Thessalonica.” This cannot be – but it is.

The man who owns the building met us and we spent time with him and explained exactly what we would be doing. You have to understand the city. Endless buildings for miles in every direction are seven to ten stories high. The first floor contains businesses, the other floors are apartments. The man said, I want to rent to you and I can rent to you but I am an honest and fair man. I am going to contact the people who live above and tell them what you are going to do and see if there are any objections.

One aged woman who lives above came down as we were looking at the place. Angelo spoke with her and told her of our plans and asked if that would suit her. She smiled and said, “If you are going to be singing about Jesus I will come down and join you.” Another resident said, “If they are Jehovah’s Witnesses they can go to hell, otherwise it is fine with me.” One after another the people who live there gave their consent.

So, the landlord’s attorney and the pastor’s attorney have papers drawn and in order. The pastor is going to travel by boat and bus for eleven hours to come to city and sign the papers. He is hoping to bring men with him to spend some days helping with the work. If all goes as planned, in week three of Project Thessalonica we will have a building in which to legally start a church in the city. UNBELIEVABLE but it is happening.

After much discussion and in light of our experiences we decided upon, “Jehovah’s Witnesses Are Going to Hell Bible Baptist Church of Thessalonica” but we will probably shorten it a bit.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged JW, legal, meeting place, prayer | Comments Off

May 24

Posted on May 27, 2012 by admin

After a sad morning of cleaning the house and packing we tested the waters on going to the square in the evening and night hours.

More young people were out than in the daytime but the liberty and the interest remained the same. One conversation followed another, hour after hour, as the word of the Lord went forth. In a picture below you will see a typical argument. Two women, one an almost J.W. who denies Christ’s deity and a G.O. who defends it, take turns shouting at each other, and then take turns shouting at Angelo. He smiles, speaks to them respectfully, shows them scripture, people stop to listen for a while then move on and others stop. Sometimes these debates last half an hour or more. What is remarkable, is that most of them end with the man shaking Angelo’s hand and the old ladies hugging his neck. He does not offend but does not back down. God has sent the right man for this job.

No priest has stopped, of the dozens who come by, but this evening a nun engaged us. She could talk a mile a minute without pausing for breath and provided great insight into the beliefs of the true G.O. Let me sum it up in her words so that you can better pray for these dear souls.
1. You can only be saved if you are G.O.
2. Those not born in Greece must come to Greece and seek conversion, for the G.O. church has no responsibility to reach any non-Greek with the only way to heaven.
3. To be saved the G.O. must have infant baptism, confession of all sins to a priest, the intercession of multiple saints in the form of icons, the assistance of Mary, a life of good works, and above all humility.
4. She admitted to having all these things but said she had no way of knowing if she would get to heaven when she died.
5. The Bible is unnecessary and should not be read as only the priest can tell a person what God needs them to know.
6. It is wrong for any non-priest to speak to someone about Jesus (like we are doing).
7. A priest has an obligation to speak to a non-G.O. about Jesus only if they come to him in at a church.

I cannot tell you how long we talked with her. The sun went down, the rain came, she fought for her church and against the word of God. At one point she said she would go to the police and have us removed. A Greek man standing by said, “You know you cannot do that. They have the liberty to do this. Do not try to scare them away.” I told her that when the Apostle Paul, on whom she claims the G.O. church does rest, came to Thessalonica he was met with the same treatment by those who opposed the gospel as we were receiving from her and that she should be ashamed to be in such company.

It is easy to see why the people are in such darkness. It is easy to see why we are so hopeful that many will come to the Light.

Team one has finished its course. No one who had part in praying and planning anticipated any of what has transpired. We have no words to describe the fullness of joy we have known in our service and fellowship these two weeks. The outpouring of God’s blessings has super exceeded anything we could have expected or even hoped for. Tomorrow is a travel day, but there will be a tale to tell.

It takes a long time to stamp 15000 tracts. We got out 10000 of them in two weeks.

A man who knows the truth shows it to a man who wants it while a man who neither knows or wants it walks past

Disputes draw onlookers who get to hear the word of God

Two tourists from an American church learn about public witnessing

Our friend from last week comes back for more conversation, waits his turn to ask something of Angelo, talks of Jesus Christ. When have you seen people stand in line to ask Bible questions?

While one woman takes the good news, a nun becomes the first G.O. rep to confront us. Darkness and rain did not stop the conversation.

Bro Brent exhorts while priest with tract passes by

This dear man gives it his all day after day. Pray for God to strengthen His servant.

Fastest two weeks of our lives. Goodbyes for Team 1 the morning of May 25

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angelo, Apostle Paul, Greek Orthodox, Group 1, JW, police | Comments Off

May 23

Posted on May 24, 2012 by admin

Well, we have been waiting for a day like this one. We reached the square around 10 and within a quarter of an hour we were in the thick of things with four J.W.s, the battle was joined by a vicious defender of the G.O. religion, he attracted a number of like-minded men, next came a wave of those who love their country, then the annoying Theodore showed up, and it was all topped off by a communist. Vehement debate lasted a couple of hours as the word of God clashed with tradition, cult and ideology. It was soul-stirring.

The seemingly ever-present J.W.s have never had to deal with people who know the Bible, for there are none that we have found in this land. Verse after verse is shown them from the scriptures and their reply every time is “that is not what that means.” They all boast of working their way into an earthly kingdom but none can offer any answer as to what good works they are doing. They have won many converts here by offering people who know nothing about the Bible a chance to know something, so not a few souls have gone from bad to worse.

The G.O. man seemed to be very well known in the city, as many came by to cheer him on. Here is the argument, “Our church has unbroken succession back to the Apostle Paul. We were baptized into the church. Therefore we are Christians. How dare you come here and say we are not.” He made these points repeatedly and with fervor. The advantage of these conflicts was that many gather round to listen and some end up telling us that we are right but all get to hear the word of the Lord. (The G.O. like to tell you their church rests on Paul while yours did not start until 1540 with Martin Luther. We gladly tell them Jesus Christ is the corner stone and head of our church, that it was He who died for our sins not Paul and not a church, and that Jesus was saving souls when Paul was still persecuting Christians.)

Then came the nationalists. They are outraged by our scripture sign which quotes Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Infuriated they shout “how dare you put the Jew before the Greek.” These people have been to a church their entire life and do not know that Romans is part of the Bible. One said, “I am a descendant of Alexander the Great. You are nothing. Go back to where you came from.” They harshly tell Angelo he is not a true Greek.

Theodore is a pest. He knows some scripture, a lot of Greek philosophy, thinks himself quite important, and somehow manages to get in the middle of our activities day after day. Do pray that he will drift off to other quarters as we fear people will think he is with us.

Next was a poor, deluded communist (they got 20% of the vote in the last Greek election) who took things in yet another direction.

The afternoon hours were calmer and more fruitful. We had several good witnesses with hungry souls. The man who broke in on our lunch time a day or so ago was back and spoke with Bro Brent for half an hour. One dear lady said sadly that she was such an awful sinner God could never forgive her. With joy Bro Angelo told her of the marvelous grace of Jesus. A real highlight of the day was when Sister Cindy Logan spotted someone reading the scripture signs aloud in Romanian and Bro Brent rushed to witness to the family in their native tongue.

Late afternoon we spent more hours looking at rental properties, that tale will be told separately.

Oh, as we were loading up to head into the city this morning a woman with bag on shoulder came by and put something in our mailbox. Seeing she had no uniform she was asked what she was doing. In Greece anyone can place something in a mailbox. She works for a company of private couriers that is paid to deliver adverts from house to house at a much lower rate than it costs to mail them. Five minutes out of our day we spend loading the car and in that time she came by so we could know of a better avenue to reach the homes in the city and surrounding villages.

Five minutes in and here come the JWs

The G.O. man in tan argued for two hours as Theodore in black lurks nearby

The church, Mary, saints, apostles – anything but Jesus Christ the Savior

The dear lady in the center thought herself too sinful to be saved

Bethany Logan – have tracts will travel

Filming Bro Angelo giving him the gospel

A communist who found fault in Jesus but none in Stalin

This woman picked up a discarded tract and read it intently

Bro Brent preaching to a Romanian family

One last annoying J.W. for the afternoon

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angelo, communism, Greek Orthodox, Group 1, JW, Logan Family, mailing, opposition | Comments Off

May 22

Posted on May 23, 2012 by admin

We did not make it to town today before the hand of the Lord was displayed. En route the phone rang, not once but twice, with calls from individuals who had received gospel tracts on the street and wanted to meet with us to learn more about Jesus and the way of salvation. When has that ever happened?

Stopped to check on buildings in town and scouted about some portions of the city not yet visited before returning to the square for more evangelism.

Had a grand time on the street again today, still being astonished at how the crowds gather when we sing. Once again several good conversations today led to people giving us phone numbers and asking for a call when someone can sit and talk with them at length.

After several days of being called J.W.s or being asked if we were J.W.s it was determined we would answer, “We believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are going to hell.” This brings big smiles and happy replies from the people who then soften and listen to what we have to say. Rather odd way to open a door to witness, but it has proven most effective.

A rain storm washed us out mid-afternoon so Bro Brent and Bro Angelo took the time to inquire at the Post Office about bulk mailing to each household in Thessalonica. One clerk after another passed them off and they left not knowing anything but the familiar feeling one gets having gone to a Post Office.

This was followed by a meeting with Illias who asked questions and received answers for over two hours until we had to leave to meet repairmen at the rental house.

One more thing you should know about this stunning work of God. When we stop for gas, the attendant thinks the world of Brent. Angelo heard him introduce Brent to some Greeks as “my American friend.” The electrician saw us eating at an outdoor café and hugged Brent and kissed his cheek. This just does not happen, but it is happening. The Lord has given Brothers Brent and Angelo great favor with the people in the village where the rental houses are located.

I have this piece of paper and want to learn more. Promise you will call me when you have a meeting place.

Wondering if this is the right building to rent

Joy is attractive in a sad land

Group after group hears the truth

Until the deluge

With Illias in the coffee shop. Will he be the first convert?

With Illias in the coffee shop. Will he be the first convert?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angelo, Group 1, JW, Logan Family, mailing | Comments Off

May 21

Posted on May 22, 2012 by admin

All glory and praise to the Lamb of God. Our hearts are overwhelmed. We cannot take in all that the Lord is doing. It is so evident that many have prayed and are praying and that God is answering prayer. Through the decades of preaching the gospel we have never seen such things.

Being the first team we are trying all avenues. Today we took the bus from the village into the city. The time was about the same, the bus tickets equaled what parking would have been, but we saved some of the precious petrol – which is $8 a gallon here.

As soon as we got off the bus and began distributing tracts we were engaged in conversation by a Pentecostal who did not believe the Bible and a Jehovah’s Witness who did. (You must know this place is crawling with JWs and they are hated because all G.O. know that Jesus is God.) As we discussed the scriptures a small crowd gathered to listen in. We showed these two men that salvation is a gift of God through the finished work of Jesus Christ, something neither of them thought possible. When the light dawned in the heart of the J.W. he laughed out loud and exclaimed, “I see it, I see it!”

As this conversation led to others a woman approached whose heart was flooding with joy. She had heard the singing, seen the signs, saw the tracts being handed out by the other members of our group. She broke in to our conversation and said to Brother Angelo, “I have been praying that the Lord would send someone to our city to do what you are doing.” With many other words she blessed our hearts. She was the first of four persons today who wanted to know where they could meet with us to learn more, and we urge you to pray that we can quickly find a suitable gathering place.

For a solid week we have been preaching in front of stores, shops, apartments and police stations. Not one word of complaint has been raised by anyone. This is unheard of. When we sing people stop and listen, some cheer and thank us. People stand in wonder and read the scripture signs; some pull off the road to soak them in. When we preach, instead of taunts and mocking as in the states, people stop, listen, ask to know, “What is this you are doing.” People we miss with tracts walk up to us and ask for one. We turn to each other over and over again and say, “I can’t believe this is happening.”

Christian from Nigeria was back today to get his Bible. He sought out several of us to thank us.

After some hours we stopped to eat. Lilian and Kristin sat down on a bench and a woman stopped to enquire about the verse on the sign leaning against their bench. Angelo and I joined them and a man approached who said, “If I die today I will go straight to hell.” He had committed some grave sin and had not been to the priest for confession. We pleaded with him for half an hour to believe the word of God we were showing him. The poor soul fears God, but fears the G.O. church more.

We made it back to the house and were talking over the day’s events when the first phone call came from someone who had received a tract. He wanted to know more. When a fantastic day could hardly get any better, Illias called and scheduled an appointment to see us on the morrow.

Trouble may find us, but for now we want everyone to know that God has done exceedingly and abundantly above any prayer that we ever dared pray about our entry into Thessalonica. If you are weary of knocking doors or passing tracts with no response – come here. If you are tired of preaching on the street to those who ignore or curse or show no interest – come here. If you want to offer the good news to people who are starving for some – come here.

VITAL REQUESTS

There is no way to describe how valuable it has been to have Brother Logan and his family here. The work they have done in finding and furnishing a place to live, in scouting out the city, in knowing where to shop, etc. has been so valuable. Their fearless love for souls and their lives of sacrifice for the saints are so very rare. You cannot pray for them enough and their supporting churches should know that your gifts are not wasted.
Had God not sent Angelo most of what we have done this week would have been impossible. There are a few conversations in English, but very few. We sing, preach, tract, we throw the line, but when we get a bite we hand the rod and reel to Angelo. He is gracious and loving but absolutely fearless. He is tender but without compromise. Those who dispute with him know he is without guile and has no motive but a longing to see them find what he has found in Jesus Christ. Without your constant prayer for him he is going to be exhausted in no time. He must certainly be a prime target of our enemy as this work goes forward. You must uphold him before the throne of grace. We cannot do this without him.
In a city of 2,500,000 spread out over many square miles we have to find one place to rent. It must be central, convenient, safe, sufficient, in a place where neighbors will not complain, in a place easily recognized, affordable, etc. We cannot possibly know what spot is the right one to start this church, but we need a place right away. Will you ask the Lord to direct our steps to find the perfect building for our church?

Today we go by bus

As soon as we arrived these two men engaged us

Others stop to hear, including this woman who has prayed for our arrival

I see it, I see it, said the Jehovah’s Witness

Look how the crowds gather as we sing and preach

Look how the curious stay to hear the gospel explained

They pull their vehicles off the road to read the signs

Where do you meet? When do you begin? she asks

No time to eat

First call

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angelo, Group 1, JW, life in greece, Logan Family | Comments Off

May 19

Posted on May 21, 2012 by admin

On a beautiful, sunny day we set up shop in front of the Roman Arch just below the Temple of Zeus. It is almost certain that we preached where Paul and Silas proclaimed the gospel 2000 years ago. Today this site is home to many drug-addicts who live in the park nearby, and there is a G.O. church on the grounds.

We got out many hundreds of tracts (especially Lydia Logan who is tops at tracting) and had some enjoyable conversations.

The highlight of the day was Illias. As we were preaching loudly in front of the arch a young man working in a shop across the street left his post, hurried from the store and came over to see where the shouting was coming from. Excited to learn it was Bible preaching he spoke with Brother Angelo at length. He quoted many scriptures, was hungry for the word of God, but had no one to guide him. While he was talking his boss called him on the phone to find out where he had gone. He exchanged contact info and called later in the day to arrange a time for conversation tomorrow evening.

We met a man who is Greek who was born again eleven years ago. He was an atheist and a Marxist drifting deeper and deeper into hopelessness. He said that one day he “heard a brother on the radio preaching about Jesus the good shepherd finding the lost sheep. When I learned that Jesus loved me I trusted Him at once and my whole life changed immediately.” He said, “The trouble with Americans is they all believe God loves them. The trouble with Greeks is no one has ever told them God loves them.” May the Lord help us to make that truth known!

As we were leaving we watched a priest compel two little girls to kiss his hand. Brother Brent was so enraged he walked up to the man with a gospel tract and told him he needed to believe the word of God. The man was indignant boasting the he was G.O. and a priest. Brent told him that regardless Jesus said he must be born again.

Not all the work is evangelistic. There is much foundational work to be done. We spent several hours looking for and at vacant buildings (actually portions thereof as there are no stand-alone buildings in the city) and calling for information and prices. There is a great need to have a place to invite people who are interested. Much prayer is warranted so that God will lead us to the right spot, at the right price, in the right time.

Brother Brent preaching beneath the Roman Arch

The 2000+ year-old Temple of Zeus

they read the scripture signs with fascination

they read the tracts

they listen to the preaching

one more soul hears the truth for the first time

the woman in black would have NUN of it

the man in black is disgusted

but some are curious

please pray for Illias

the people dine and drink outdoors, it is permissible to approach them

looking at one more place for rent

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Greek Orthodox, Group 1, history | Comments Off

May 18

Posted on May 21, 2012 by admin

Our hearts are too full. How can we take in so many marvelous blessings?!

We woke to a day of cold, blowing rain, so we drove to a nearby village to obtain stamps for putting contact info on the gospel tracts we brought with us. Across from the store was a delivery truck of the same company Brother Angelo works for in Australia. After some prompting he went over to say hello to the driver. The man spoke fluent English (as do many here), expressed his discontent with attending the G.O. church and learning nothing, and wanted very much to study the scriptures with someone who could explain them to him. Contact info was exchanged.

After noon we drove to town and there the rain held off until we left early evening. We had many excellent conversations, one debate with a J.W. and one with a Muslim man. She really knew how to deny the scriptures presented to her. While we are saddened over her lost condition we are encouraged to know that if the cults are free to do their work here then it is likely we are free as well. He asked why I was talking to him. I said I wanted him to know Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins. He replied, “What I want is to kill you, and your family.” He said he had recently been let out of jail where he was held on suspicion of terror activities. Ah the religion of peace.

Sister Lilian had a great talk with a man who asked many good questions. Upon hearing John 3 read to him he was overwhelmed by its truth and beauty and wanted a Bible of his own so he could read the rest of it.

As we continue to test the waters, we preached and did our work today in front of the police station. Many officers looked on and we were not molested. One G.O. priest took a tract and one did not. We are not doing these things for purposes of provocation but we report and send these photos so that those coming this way may know that at least for the time being there is freedom to preach Christ Jesus in this city.

Another bizarre tale – parking in the city is insane. Double parked, bumper touching bumper, cars parked on the curbs and sidewalks. We have been paying to stay in lots but the fees have been as much as $5 per hour. Today Brother Brent dropped us off and went to look for a good spot. He parked and got out and a man said, “Do not park there my brother.” The man told a startled Brother Brent he was born again and said, “follow me.” How do you refuse? He led Brent to a lot where the car stayed all afternoon for $4. The man was not seen again.

On two occasions we have encountered young Christians from the University of Texas who are here to witness on the two college campuses in Thessalonica. They had testimonies of salvation, though a bit vague. That they chose this city this week has further encouraged us to believe God has this place in view.

As a side note, those watching the nightly propaganda (news) may be seeing reports of rioting in Greece. This is all in Athens six hours from us. As of now all is quite peaceful in Thessalonica.

Bro Brent explaining the way of life on 5-17

Police read the scripture signs

I’ve never heard such things

Call me, I want to hear more

My own Bible!

A polite but deceived Jehovah’s witness

An ancient Armenian woman

Police

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christians, Group 1, JW, life in greece, Muslim | Comments Off

May 17

Posted on May 21, 2012 by admin

We spent a rainy morning acquiring supplies for future teams, then, in answer to prayer rain lifted about noon and stayed away until 6pm.

Went to Aristotolous Square this afternoon for a GLORIOUS day of preaching, tract distribution, and witnessing. The people here have never seen anyone proclaiming the gospel and so are quite curious. They stop and read the signs aloud, they walk out of their way to ask for tracts, they stop to listen to the preaching, they engage in some very good conversations.

We have found that the opposition comes primarily from older women who zealously defend their church, and from those who are nationalistic and resent anyone coming to Greece to tell the Greeks what they need to do (understandable).

Today Brother Angelo spoke with two women who took tracts, went off and read them, returned for over an hour of discussion, who promised to return tomorrow for Bibles and to have more questions answered. Sister Lilian had a lengthy conversation with a young man who wants an English Bible and gave contact info for a visit. Brother Brent and I spoke for a long time with a young man who knows his G.O. church cannot save him but believes works are essential to earn eternal life. All in all it was a fantastic day – better than any day on the streets I can recall in America. We are not going to want to come home.

In case you are wondering, we were observed by at least half a dozen police, three priests and a couple of nuns in the last two days, and none made any move to hinder us. Do continue to pray for such liberty.