12 October 2023| Athens, Greece [Moses Siwale with tedNEWS]
In the early days of summer, as May drew to a close, Greek Mission (GM) youth had the honour of hosting pastor Bledi Leno, Multi-Ethnic Ministries and Adventist Mission director for the Greater New York Conference. His visit, part of the Christ for Europe initiative, sparked engaging discussions centred around youth ministries, with a particular emphasis on university students and the Public Campus Ministry (PCM).
Accompanied by GM President Claudio Gulyas and Executive Secretary Yannis Vrakas, Leno set out to motivate young Adventist students by visiting two universities located in the urban expanse of Egaleo, on the western fringes of Athens.
At the Youth Church in Egaleo, Leno delivered an inspiring presentation on “Being and Making Disciples.” His challenge was clear: create cluster groups in your immediate circles and become catalysts for positive change in the name of Christ. Leno emphasised the value of starting small, including organising social events like open mic nights, karaoke sessions, movie screenings, and other gatherings that create community. Drawing from his own experiences during a recent visit to Japan, he highlighted the success of weekly cooking demonstrations.
“Remember that Moses can’t be everywhere,” Leno remarked, alluding to GM Youth director Moses Siwale. “This is your chance to impact someone’s life.” He encouraged the students to visit each other’s universities, offer mutual support through prayer, and gradually establish their groups within their respective academic institutions. Leno concluded his presentation by advising students to align their event planning with the academic calendar, ensuring accessibility to most students.
Pastor Leno’s words left a profound impact on GM students. Although immediate action was not possible due to upcoming final exams, students are actively planning for the coming semester. Please pray for GM students as they seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and prepare to serve across various campuses and communities throughout Athens.
[Photos: courtesy of Yannis Vrakas]
