One of the most amazing feats of nature is how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. It captures the imagination of children all over the world, and even some adults who maintain their wonder of the natural sciences.  When the caterpillar is ready to begin its transformation it begins building a chrysalis from its own body, often mistaken for a cocoon. Once protected by the hard shell of the chrysalis, it sheds the outside layer of skin and the internal work of transformation can begin. The transformation to a butterfly begins with powerful enzymes released, turning m ..read more

In a day of accessible travel, many have experienced other cultures and even the challenges that come with going overseas. But for even the most well-travelled, moving to another country can be full of challenges and unknowns not experienced on a short trip for holiday or even ministry. So, what is it like to live in a new country for the first time? You work so hard building up to this moment: filling out paperwork, talking with friends, supporters, and churches. You are selling everything you own and leaving everyone you know to start a new life in a new place. What are the emotions and adju ..read more

Maureen “Mo” Blackmon and two other women on her team eagerly anticipated the following day’s training session. They had been praying and preparing for it for months. After a long wait, they finally had the study material translated into Latvian, as well as plenty of women in place to receive the training that would equip them for ministry in their local churches. The three women gathered in a small room of the Baptist Union building in Riga for one final prayer session on the night before, to ask God’s blessing on this first ever Latvian-language training session. It was a big deal—the start ..read more

In anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, believers around the world observe the forty-day period preceding Easter Sunday: Lent. While some of us might give up coffee or sweets during this season, others might be unsure about the purpose of Lent or its significance in our Christian walk.  These last two years, Lent also overlaps with Ramadan, a thirty-day period of fasting commemorating the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.  For those who didn’t grow up in a liturgical church and have never observed Lent, we might wonder about this practice and how it differs f ..read more

Since the onset of the refugee crisis in 2015, we have seen a sharp increase of Muslim peoples living in Europe. Due to war, religious persecution, and political unrest, millions of Muslims have relocated to Europe in search of peace in a new home. Muslims currently account for five percent of the population across Europe and many project that by 2050, that number could double or even triple. In urban areas, the numbers are even higher. As one Greater Europe Mission global worker stated, “You can expect ten percent of the population in many major cities across Europe to be Muslim ..read more

“Do you still want me? Are you even going to use me?” These questions often go through the minds of those preparing to serve cross-culturally. Whether it’s developing a support network, waiting for visas, or experiencing a global crisis, most of us have faced that moment of tension––even doubt.  After a 27-year career as an eye technician, Jen felt the call from God to go to Europe with Greater Europe Mission. But in 2020, as she prepared to leave the life she knew to go to the Netherlands, the world shut down. Stuck in a small, country town in Connecticut, she questioned whether she had ..read more

Music inspires emotion and provokes thought. Whether it’s religious hymns, classical movements, or contemporary hits, melodies and lyricism reach down into a person’s soul, uncovering joys and sorrows. Believers well know the role music plays in worship and intimacy with God, but music can also be an effective way to draw in the lost.  “A healthy worship life of the church will fuel the other aspects of the total church ministry,” says Richard Mauney, a Greater Europe Mission worker in Romania. “Discipleship, spiritual growth of members, evangelism…Attention given to congregational worsh ..read more

Making disciples is a well-known Christian concept that’s inspired thousands of books and articles. It was Jesus’ first step when starting his ministry. Before changing the world, Jesus first chose a team of followers to teach and mentor. If making disciples was an essential step for Christ’s ministry, it must be an essential step for any ministry. Making disciples merits diligence, so we should try to be good at it. While there is no one formula for making disciples, I believe it takes at least three things: commitment, authenticity, and intentionality. In a recent webinar, I outli ..read more

Nestled in the heart of the Strasbourg-Saint Denis neighborhood in Paris, between boulangeries and cafes, one may stumble into a small gallery filled with a rotation of different visual and performative arts. Though not rare for this neighborhood, the Agapé Hub stands out as a gallery that is doing more than just showing art––it is working to bring the community together. “The Agapé Hub is a cultural association that seeks to help emerging Parisian artists show their work in an accessible manner,” says Emilee Irwin, Greater Europe Mission’s Arts Impact Zone director. Irwin has partnered with ..read more

You may have heard that life on the mission field isn’t always easy for cross-cultural workers, but have you considered its impact on their children? What specific challenges do teenagers face? Do they experience the same highs and lows as their parents? Do they naturally follow in their parents’ missional footsteps, or do these third culture kids (TCKs) have entirely different hopes for their future?  When God calls believers to serve in missions, He doesn’t forget about their children. Though it isn’t always easy, it’s an invitation for these youth to grow closer to Him––often wit ..read more