The Why Europe Podcast

In this episode, Cody Finch breaks down how he was initially involved with Greater Europe Mission. Throughout his story one word kept coming back up. That word was "invitation". 

We discuss how Jesus invites us into a deeper relationship and story with him, the opportunities and power of young adults serving Christ with great faith, and how we can invite others to join God's kingdom. 

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A moment in time that is not discussed but incredibly important, the Interwar Period, is a pivotal time in European History. In this episode we briefly discuss:

• The aftermath of WWI 
• The treaty of Versailles
• The League of Nations and its ineffectiveness
• Financial crises and how it leads to extremism 
• Christian leaders who stood for & against the Nazis
• Spanish Civil War
• The rise of doubt, secularism, and distrust in Christian leadership

This all shaped how European culture influences the world today and how it has responded to the gospel of Christ. 

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SOURCES:

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/1/26?utm

https://christianciv.com/blog/index.php/2015/10/22/real-nazis
Thomas Kselman, Religion and Society in Modern France (1996
https://historyforatheists.com/2021/07/hitler-atheist-pagan-or-christian/

1905 French Law, official government translation (Ministère de la Justice, France)

Barry, The Catholic Encyclopedia, “War,” 1914 edition

Jowett, The Transfigured Church, 1915

 H. G. Wells, The War That Will End War, appendix; also in Enrico Dal Covolo, La Chiesa e la Grande Guerra.

Clifford, Christianity and the War, 1915

Keegan, The First World War (1998); Arnold, History: A Very Short Introduction (2019); Gilbert, The Century (1997)

Eichengreen, Golden Fetters (1992)

Temin, Lessons from the Great Depression (1989)

https://www.britannica.com/topic/League-of-Nations/Members-of-the-League-of-Nations

https://cathedralofhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Theological-Declaration-of-Barmen.pdf

https://www.worldhistorythreads.com/p/religion-and-dictatorship-in-francoist

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Want to serve or learn more?
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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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World War One (1914–1918) had a profound and often disorienting impact on the spiritual climate in Europe. The unprecedented scale of violence, death, and destruction led many to question long-standing religious beliefs, moral assumptions, and the authority of traditional institutions, including the Church. 

In this episode, we break down a brief history of the war and the major spiritual and religious consequences that came from it. 

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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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Tom and his wife took a leap of faith by moving to the UK in the early 2000s. No plan, no job, just trusting the Lord. Fast forward 20 years and now they are still taking big steps of faith and life is even more of an adventure. 

Now in the Normandy region of France, their family is on full-time mission. In this episode, Tom shares his heart for refugees, sabbath, music ministry, his family, and the process of learning the French language. 

Tune in for an adventurous and grace filled episode. 

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Want to serve or learn more?
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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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Alex grew up loving and cherishing his local church family. As he grew in relationship to Christ, he sensed God was calling him to serve the global Church. In this episode, we discuss Alex's first steps serving his local church and then his first steps serving the Church around the world. 

With a summer in Birmingham serving at Oikos church and then a summer praying in new nations GEM is pursuing, we break down the lessons Alex learned. We then talk about the faith it requires to allow God's mission to be the focus of the church. 

“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world, as that God has a church for his mission in the world. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission – God’s mission."
― Christopher J.H. Wright, The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission

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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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"Just like the Statue of Liberty, I was born in France. But I was made & renovated in America."

Debby has been involved with GEM since 1956 when her parents moved to Paris. Over the years, Debby cherished the gospel, served the church, and served GEM faithfully.  In this episode, we see just a glimpse of the incredible story God has walked her through. Street evangelism, teaching, church planting, counseling, and even mime are all ways God has used her to reach others for His kingdom. 

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Want to serve or learn more?
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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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Kristian Morris, aka Kmo, has spent multiple summers serving with Greater Europe Mission. Over time, Kmo noticed a trend not just with GEM, but with mission agencies as a whole...less than 3% of global workers are ethnic minorities. 

This empowered Kmo to learn the "why?" behind this statistic, myths facing ethnic minorities going on mission, and what we as believers can do about it. Listen to learn more about Kmo's powerful testimony, his music, and his perspective on how God can leverage our ethnic backgrounds for the Kingdom of Christ worldwide. 

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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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Doug and Lisa Mitts have a heart for everyone to be one with Christ. Both developed a heart for the persecuted and restricted church in Eastern Europe during communism. They have been serving in Europe ever since. 

In this episode, we discuss the power of "knowing the Spirit", sharing our faith, and why it's necessary for believers to practice sharing the gospel. 

This conversation is packed with practical advice on how to engage with the lost. It will leave you encouraged and empowered to take a step of faith toward the uncomfortable and the unknown. 

"...this practice is never comfortable, but always joyful and fruitful in the sense that you planted that gospel seed."

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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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Growing up as a missionary kid (mk) Jason said he "never" would be in "full time - ministry". Decades later, he and his team are planting churches all over Frankfurt, Germany and leading people toward Christ daily. 

In this episode, we hear Jason's story, his perspective on a global body of believers, and what "going to church" really means. 

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Give to Greater Europe Mission
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Kim Garrity was appointed to be a GEM missionary over 40 years ago. After a backpacking trip around Europe in his early years, he was "ruined for the ordinary".

In this episode, we discuss Kim's story of getting to Europe full time as a global worker. We also discuss one of the biggest buzz words of today, "refugees". Kim's focus became the refugee opportunity in Europe from 2015 onward. He has led hundreds of teams to come and serve in Europe with the hope that all people come to know and understand Christ.

"We are all refugees. Thats who we are. And we as believers have found a refuge."

You do not  want to skip this episode. 

Support the show

Want to serve or learn more?
https://gemission.org

Give to Greater Europe Mission
https://gemission.org/give/