Started in 2018
While in Turkey, God opened a door for late Pastor Johann and Sister Grace to visit Athens for one day. They had heard that there were so many opportunities to minister there and felt the urge to go see for themselves. Though their time was short, they were amazed and witnessed God’s heart stirring the hearts of many Muslim people.
Refugees were coming to the islands of Greece by the hundreds daily. And a people, known for their firm belief in Islam were meeting the heart of Christ through other believers and turning their lives over to Him.
our hearts burned
We went back home to America and our hearts burned for the people in Athens. We knew that God had opened this door and now was the time.
Late Pastor Johann received John 4:38 as a promise from God and was eager to return. John 4:38 says, “I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” He received in faith, believing that he would reap for which he did not sow. And surely, when late Pastor Johann and Sister Grace returned to Athens in March 2019, there was much to reap. Though the living conditions and the lives of refugees were extremely difficult, both physically and emotionally, so many hearts were hungry for the Word and were committing their lives to follow Jesus. A Kingdom family quickly formed as they read the Word together, broke bread together, prayed together, cried together, and worshiped together. It truly felt like the early Acts church!
However, suddenly, on April 20, 2019, Pastor Johann went to be with the Lord while living out God’s calling in Athens. We thank God for using him to start and lay the groundwork of Aabe Hayaat so that the name of Jesus Christ can be made known to all people. He left a great imprint on the hearts of many young people and demonstrated how to follow Jesus with an undivided heart. Some of the young men he ministered to committed their lives to full-time ministry.
In October 2019, Sister Grace returned to Greece to seek God’s direction and clarity. She considers it a high calling and privilege to start Aabe Hayaat and is excited to see what He has in store and how He will make His name known.