Missions in Greece: Relational Evangelism in Action

When I think back on my recent prayer team mission trip to Greece, one thing stands out above everything else: Jesus always built His ministry on relationships. He didn’t just preach to crowds; He lived among people, ate with them, and called them by name. Many of His apostles were connected to Him—and to each other—through webs of kinship, friendship, or shared occupation. Those early relationships became the foundation for the explosive growth of the early church.

In Greece, I saw that same truth play out. Our team didn’t go to simply “do ministry”. We went to build relationships—to listen. We prayed with people, not just for them. We shared meals, walked the streets, and had open conversations that pointed back to Jesus. When you slow down and connect with people in a real, human way, you realize that evangelism isn’t a script—it’s a relationship.

Harvest Fields Everywhere

If I had to summarize our Greece prayer team’s trip in three words, it would be this: Harvest Fields Everywhere. God is moving in ways I didn’t expect, especially among refugees—people from nations we often can’t reach directly. Many of them are from Muslim backgrounds, and we heard story after story of Jesus revealing Himself through dreams and visions. It was humbling to witness what only God can do. We were simply there to be present, listen, pray, listen, pray some more and share the hope of Jesus.

One moment that stays with me was sitting down for a traditional Afghan meal at a refugee center. The hospitality was overwhelming, but even more powerful was hearing the testimonies of their journey and how they encountered Jesus. We also shared dinner with Sahar, an Iranian woman and former refugee, who now helps lead medical missions. She told us her story—a journey of suffering, courage, and ultimately redemption through Christ. Listening to her speak reminded me that the Kingdom of God grows through personal encounters, not programs.

Lessons from the Mission Field

This was one of the most packed mission trips I’ve ever experienced—15 to 16-hour days with no downtime. We prayed with missionaries who serve tirelessly, sat in cafés and teahouses meeting refugees, and toured ministries like Helping Hands and Oasis, which are on the frontlines of relational evangelism and discipleship.

One takeaway that struck me is this: we are not called to build Jesus’ church. He told us He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). Our call is to make disciples. As disciples gather, communities naturally form—call them churches or whatever you like—but it’s God who produces the growth. We saw this truth lived out in Greece. Ministries there are focused less on building organizations and more on discipling people who then carry the Gospel with them as they scatter across Europe and beyond.

The refugee crisis is far from over, and many of the people we met won’t stay in Greece. They are on the move, carrying their stories and, for many, their newfound faith in Jesus into places we may never set foot. This is the Kingdom of God at work—global, relational, and unstoppable.

Relational Evangelism: The Way of Jesus

Jesus’s model of ministry wasn’t complicated. He saw people, really saw them, and invited them into something bigger than themselves. Scholars believe that up to nine of His twelve apostles were already connected to Him or to each other before He called them. It’s no surprise that this relational foundation became the strength of the early church.

In Greece, we leaned into that same principle. Our prayers weren’t just whispered in church buildings—they were lifted in homes, coffee shops, outside refugee camps, and public squares. We prayed over conversations, over strangers we met, and over missionaries who are faithfully serving there day after day. It was all rooted in relationship, and it reminded me that the Gospel moves fastest along the lines of trust and connection.

Action Point: Start with an Invitation

Relational evangelism isn’t reserved for mission trips. It’s for all of us, right here, right now. Who in your life could you simply invite? Not in a forced or awkward way, but as an act of love.

Invite your friends. Your neighbors. Your co-workers. Your family. Your children or grandchildren. Even your UPS delivery driver. Who else could you invite to come with you to church, to your table, or to simply have a conversation about Jesus?

Sometimes the most powerful evangelism begins with one simple, genuine invitation.

Closing Reflection

I came home from Greece convinced that God’s Kingdom advances one relationship at a time. It starts when we take the risk to open our hearts, pray boldly, and invite someone to take a step closer to Jesus. May we live with open hands, ready to love people the way Jesus did—personally, relationally, and prayerfully.