Going where God has called
After a long period of prayer, discernment and careful conversation, Da Neil and Lottie have decided to move to Greece to serve among refugees and displaced people.
Their decision has not been made lightly. Over time, a number of unexpected opportunities, relationships and providential signs have reinforced their growing conviction that God is leading them to Greece.
They plan to establish themselves there, build relationships with local churches and organisations, and share the love and hope of Jesus with people travelling along one of Europe’s major refugee routes
Why Greece?
Greece sits at an important point between Türkiye, the Middle East, North Africa and the rest of Europe.
Many of the people arriving there have experienced war, persecution, poverty, exploitation or the loss of home and family. Some hope to settle in Greece, while others see it as one stage of a much longer journey towards safety and stability elsewhere in Europe.
Our funding target for this project is £50,000. Behind every description such as “refugee”, “asylum seeker” or “migrant” is a person with a name, a history and a story.
People may arrive exhausted, frightened and uncertain about what will happen next. They often face practical needs, unfamiliar systems, language barriers and deep questions about identity, purpose and hope.
Da Neil and Lottie believe God is calling them to be present among these communities: listening, serving, building trust and sharing the good news of Jesus. We’ve been on this journey and support them with all our might.
A ministry of presence
This project will not begin with a large programme or a complicated structure.
It will begin with presence.
The couple intend to spend time learning the language, understanding the local context and forming genuine relationships with refugees, local Christians and organisations already serving in the area.
They want to listen before assuming, learn before leading and work alongside those who already understand the needs of the communities around them.
Their ministry may include:
- building friendships with refugees and displaced people
- offering hospitality and practical support
- helping people connect with trusted local services
- supporting English-language learning and other useful skills
- praying with people who are open to it
- studying the Bible with those who want to explore Christianity
- sharing the Gospel naturally through conversations and relationships
- encouraging and supporting local churches
- serving alongside established refugee ministries
- creating places where people can experience welcome and belonging
The exact shape of the work will develop as relationships form and local needs become clearer.
Sharing hope with people far from home
People travelling along refugee routes have often left behind much more than a building or a country.
They may have lost community, familiarity, status, employment and the networks that once helped them understand who they were. Some carry grief and trauma. Others live with uncertainty about whether they will be allowed to remain or forced to move again.
The couple want to offer practical compassion without pretending to have simple answers.
They also want to share the hope they have found in Christ: the God who sees the overlooked, welcomes the stranger and offers a home that cannot be taken away.
Their desire is not to treat vulnerable people as projects or make practical help dependent upon religious participation.
They want to serve freely, build authentic relationships and speak openly about Jesus when people are interested and opportunities arise.
Working alongside local Christians
This project is not about arriving in Greece with all the answers.
Greek churches, Christian ministries and local organisations have already been serving refugees and displaced communities for many years. Their knowledge, relationships and continued presence are invaluable.
The couple intend to work in partnership rather than isolation.
This means listening to local leaders, respecting existing work and identifying where their gifts and availability can genuinely strengthen what is already happening.
They hope to become part of the local Christian community, serving under appropriate leadership and remaining accountable as the ministry develops.
Proclamation and practical care
Jesus proclaimed good news and responded compassionately to the needs of the people in front of him.
Gospel-shaped mission does not force us to choose between words and actions.
Practical support matters because people matter. A meal, a conversation, help with a form or a safe place to sit can communicate dignity and care at a moment of profound uncertainty.
But practical support alone cannot communicate the whole of Christian hope.
The couple want to be ready to explain who Jesus is, what he has done and why his death and resurrection offer lasting hope. They will do this with gentleness, honesty and respect, never exploiting vulnerability or placing pressure on anyone to respond.
Building trust over time
Trust cannot be rushed.
Many refugees have experienced broken promises, exploitation or suspicion from people in authority. Some may also come from cultures where changing or questioning religious belief carries serious personal and relational consequences.
Effective ministry will require patience.
The couple are committing themselves not simply to brief encounters, but to learning, showing up consistently and allowing relationships to deepen over time.
They recognise that much of the work may be quiet and unseen. Progress may be slow, plans may change and people may move on unexpectedly.
Faithfulness will mean continuing to love and serve even when the outcome cannot be measured easily.
Preparing to go well
Moving to another country for mission involves more than purchasing flights and finding somewhere to live.
The couple will need to prepare carefully for language learning, cultural adjustment, accommodation, visas, healthcare, schooling where relevant, safeguarding, financial support and long-term sustainability.
They will also need a strong network of people who will pray, encourage, challenge and support them from the UK.
Gospel Shaped is helping them to think through the practical and spiritual foundations needed for healthy, accountable mission.
Support may include:
- prayer and discernment
- project planning
- fundraising and donor communication
- budgeting and financial oversight
- governance and accountability
- introductions to potential partners
- regular coaching and pastoral support
- safeguarding and risk management
- communication with supporting churches
- ongoing review as the work develops
We want to help them go with courage, but also with wisdom.
What support is needed?
Establishing a long-term presence in Greece will require regular financial and prayer support.
Funding will contribute towards areas such as:
- accommodation and basic living costs
- travel and relocation expenses
- language learning
- visa and administrative costs
- healthcare and insurance
- local transport
- ministry and hospitality expenses
- resources for Bible study and discipleship
- practical support for people in need
- training, safeguarding and ongoing supervision
The aim is to build a stable base from which the couple can serve consistently rather than living from one short-term appeal to the next.
How you can get involved
Pray
Please pray for clear guidance, practical provision and the right local relationships.
Pray for humility and wisdom as the couple enter a new culture. Pray for resilience as they face uncertainty and adjustment. Most importantly, pray that people who have experienced displacement and loss will encounter the love and hope of Jesus.
Give
Regular giving will help provide the stability required for long-term ministry.
One-off gifts can also contribute towards relocation, language study, initial accommodation and the practical costs of establishing the project.
Partner
Churches and Christian organisations can become project partners by committing to prayer, regular financial support and ongoing relationship with the couple.
Partnership is about more than transferring money. It means sharing responsibility, remaining interested and walking with them through the encouragements and difficulties of mission.
Encourage
Mission can be lonely.
Messages, visits, prayer meetings and continued friendship can make a real difference, particularly after the excitement of the initial move has passed.
A faithful step into the unknown
The couple do not know exactly what every part of this ministry will look like.
They are not moving because they have a flawless plan. They are moving because, after prayer and discernment, they believe God has asked them to take the next step.
They go trusting that he will provide the right relationships, open the right doors and shape the work as they learn.
Their desire is simple: to be present, to serve faithfully and to make Jesus known among people who may be far from home but are never beyond the reach of God.
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