During Matt and Marissa Barker’s first few months as missionary associates in Padova, Italy, in 2015, the news constantly reported the escalating situation with Syrian refugees fleeing war and landing on the islands of Greece. Later that year the Barkers scheduled a trip to Athens and saw the situation firsthand. They also met a couple whose ministry would change their lives forever.
Greek social workers Voula and her husband Ilias, a Syrian who emigrated to Greece almost 30 years ago, launched a ministry to assist the flood of refugees entering Greece. They help refugees by translating documents, securing appointments with government offices, and walking them through the difficult process of seeking asylum. However, helping refugees navigate complex government systems does not care for the whole person. “Of course we cover the humanitarian, social, and psychological needs, but then there are all the other needs that we cannot answer unless we pray for them and unless we wait for our prayers to be answered,” explained Voula. “We wait for signs and wonders, and this waiting for the Holy Spirit to intervene brings us together, and immediately—spiritually speaking—we have a church.”
This church deeply moved Matt and Marissa the first time they attended. “We were shocked at the number of people who gathered to worship and hear a simple teaching from the Bible.” Matt recalled. The Holy Spirit is working in these simple services, resulting in baptisms, miracles, and changed lives.
Upon returning to Italy, Matt and Marissa immediately began looking forward to their next visit as they felt their heart shifting toward these people God was bringing to Athens and to the ministry happening there. Each time they visited, they felt more confirmation in their hearts that this was where God was calling them.
In August at the historic Commissioning Service at General Council 2019, Matt and Marissa Barker’s prayers were answered as they were anointed and commissioned to walk forward in God’s call as career missionaries to Greece.