Inspiring Stories from Athens: The Power of God’s Word in Refugee Ministry With Matt Gulley
Welcome to a truly inspiring journey from the heart of Athens, Greece, where God is powerfully at work among the Afghan people. In a city known for its ancient ruins and rich history, a new kind of transformation is unfolding—one rooted in faith, resilience, and the power of Scripture.
In a world often marked by displacement and uncertainty, stories of faith, resilience, and transformation shine brightest. We recently had the privilege of sitting down with Matt Gulley, co-founder of Diaspora Pathways, right here in Athens. His ministry, in partnership with organizations like EEM, is bringing hope and the Bread of Life to Afghan Christians and refugees, demonstrating the profound impact of global missions and the unifying power of God’s Word.
Let’s explore how Afghan refugees in Greece are encountering the Gospel, forming vibrant communities, and becoming leaders in a growing Afghan Christian ministry in an unexpected place. Through Bible distribution for refugees and intentional discipleship, Athens has become a crossroads not just of cultures, but of Kingdom impact.
Afghan Refugees in Greece: A New Chapter of Faith
The refugee crisis in Greece has brought thousands of displaced people from Afghanistan and other nations to its shores. This brought thousands to Greece, it created an unprecedented mission field in Athens and beyond. But amid the hardship, God is writing new stories of hope. Refugee ministry in Greece has become a powerful avenue for Afghan church planting and discipleship, as Afghans encounter the gospel in a context where they are open to new questions and hope.
The Journey of Afghan Refugees in Athens
Afghan refugees in Greece often arrive with deep wounds from war and displacement. Matt shared stories of refugees who couldn’t believe they could receive a Bible for free—contrasting their experience with buying a Quran from embassies. The gift of free Bibles in Farsi and Arabic became not just a resource but a revelation of God’s love.
Building Bridges Through Bible Distribution
EEM free Bibles continue to be a vital tool for Afghan Christian ministry. By providing Farsi Bibles and Arabic Bibles, ministries like Diaspora Pathways can supply Afghan believers with the bread of life, helping them stand firm in their faith and share it boldly. This Bible distribution effort fostered unity among churches and ministries, empowering Christians in Athens to connect across denominational lines to serve Afghan Christians and seekers together.
Afghan Church Planting Amid Refugee Communities
Through Afghan church planting efforts, Afghan diaspora churches began forming in Greece. These new communities became places of belonging for Afghan Christians, where they could grow in faith and courageously share the gospel with their families and friends, despite cultural opposition.
Christian Unity in Refugee Ministry
Matt highlighted how working with different churches during the refugee surge of 2015–2016 showed the world the beauty of Christian unity. Churches came together across theological differences, united in the mission of providing Afghan refugees with love, food, and the Word of God.
A Heart for Afghan Christian Ministry
For nearly 15 years, Matt Gulley has dedicated his life to serving refugees in Athens, Greece. What started as a general focus on refugees quickly narrowed, under divine guidance, to a specific and passionate calling: ministry among the Afghan people and Persian speakers. This deep commitment highlights the intentionality and divine direction behind the work of Diaspora Pathways, which officially began in the fall of 2022.
The Birth of Diaspora Pathways and Its Focus
Diaspora Pathways emerged from years of focused service, with Matt and his wife Nikki recognizing God’s specific call to the Afghan people. Their organization is dedicated to the “encouragement, the development, the training, the discipling” of these people groups, with a core mission to support the rising Afghan church. This long-term commitment, stemming from their arrival in Athens in 2008, showcases a profound dedication to fostering spiritual growth and leadership within the Afghan Christian community.
The journey of focusing on the Farsi-speaking community, and later specifically Afghans, was a clear progression of God’s guidance. A formative trip to Afghanistan in 2013 solidified this calling for Matt, emphasizing the critical need for ministry among these precious people. It’s a testament to how global missions adapt and refine their focus to meet specific, urgent spiritual needs, ultimately contributing to diaspora church planting wherever Afghans reside.
Athens as a Strategic Hub for Diaspora Ministry
Athens has long been a gateway for those fleeing conflict, and since 2008, Matt and his team have been serving Afghan refugees in Greece. What began as refugee outreach ministry has grown into a focused effort in Afghan church planting and diaspora church development. The influx of Afghan Christians in Europe has created a unique opportunity for refugee discipleship. Athens remains a strategic location for global missions, serving as a launchpad for Afghan diaspora church leaders.
The Impact of Bible Distribution for Refugees
One of the most powerful facets of this ministry, particularly the refugee outreach ministry, is the distribution of free Bibles in Farsi and Arabic. EEM played a pivotal role in this, supplying an astounding 27,000 Bibles and New Testaments in these languages. This was a “God thing” for EEM, venturing into languages they hadn’t previously focused on, and it was a huge blessing to the ministry on the ground.
Matt describes the provision of these Bibles as “a great gift,” enabling direct distribution and coordination with other Christian ministry in Athens, on the islands, and across the country. Imagine the impact: refugees, often without resources, receiving the “bread of life” for free, while some embassies charge for religious texts. This tangible act of love not only meets a spiritual need but also fosters Christian unity, as various churches and ministries collaborate for broader reach and deeper impact. As the need for the gospel to reach many nations continues, EEM carries on the endeavor to distribute Millions of free Bibles and Bible-based Materials to Eastern Europe.
Uniting in Faith: Christian Unity and Discipleship
The narrative from Athens powerfully illustrates the concept of Christian unity in action, particularly amongst Afghan Christians in Europe. The Bible serves as a profound connector, allowing believers from diverse backgrounds to “connect on the word of God” despite differences in theology, dress, or language. This unity is a living testament to Jesus’ prayer for His followers to be one, so “that the world will know that Father has sent the Son”.
The Church’s Response to the Refugee Crisis in Greece
In 2015-2016, Greece experienced an immense influx of over a million refugees, prompting an incredible response from the church. This indeed created an opportunity to reach millions in Greece with the Bible. While the government provided basic shelter in stadiums, it was the Christian community that stepped up to address immediate needs, notably by providing 2,500 meals a day. This swift and compassionate action led a municipal mayor to observe that “the Protestant Church, the Evangelical Church was the first to respond”.
This period created “incredible opportunity” for the body of Christ to serve people in need, offering love, words, and deeds. Refugees, encountering church bells, buildings, and symbols, began to ask profound spiritual questions, opening doors for the gospel to be shared. This historical context underscores the vital role of missions in Greece and how the church can be the first responder in times of crisis, demonstrating the love of Christ tangibly.
Stories of Transformation and Deep Discipleship
The true heart of this ministry lies in the transformative stories of individuals. One poignant example is of a man who couldn’t believe he could receive a Bible for free after being charged for a Quran at his embassy; he later came to faith. Another powerful instance involved a young girl whose father repeatedly returned the New Testament she brought home, yet she persistently retrieved it, eventually leading to their family’s conversion. These narratives highlight the “battle in the homes” and the courage required for Muslims to embrace Christianity, often facing “challenges and different threats and different dangers” within their communities.
Perhaps one of the most moving testimonies of refugee discipleship is from two Afghan men, one Shiite and one Sunni, who became “mortal enemies” in their home country. Yet, in Athens, serving spaghetti side-by-side, they declared, “in Jesus we’re brothers”. This powerful illustration of Ephesians 2, where Jesus “has put to death our hostility” between different groups, showcases the profound, unifying power of Christ that transcends centuries of conflict and cultural divides. It’s a living example of “the way” Christians live, where everything changes through faith.
Discipleship in Action: Raising Afghan Christian Leaders
As Afghan refugees in Greece encountered the Gospel, many didn’t just receive—they began to lead. One of the most exciting outcomes of this ministry has been seeing Afghan refugees become Afghan Christian leaders and missionaries themselves. Diaspora ministry today is not just about outreach, but about empowering Afghan believers to disciple others and plant churches among their own people.
Discipleship in the Afghan Diaspora Church
Refugee discipleship is challenging yet rewarding. Many Afghan Christians face threats and rejection from their families when they choose to follow Jesus. Yet, through mentorship, they are becoming disciple-makers, multiplying the gospel among Afghan communities.
From Refugee to Disciple-Maker
Matt shares stories of Afghan believers who chose to stay in Greece rather than join family in other European countries, believing God had called them to serve their own people. These Afghan Christians are now leading churches, discipling others, and planting seeds of faith across the diaspora. Their obedience has led to the formation of Afghan diaspora churches that are culturally rooted and spiritually vibrant.
The Rev 7 Collective: Worship in Every Tongue
One of the most moving moments that took place was a worship night hosted by the Rev 7 Collective. Events such as the Rev 7 Collective worship gatherings—where believers from Farsi, Arabic, Greek, English, Ukrainian, and Russian backgrounds worship together—demonstrate and symbolize the beauty of Christian unity, the global and unified nature of the body of Christ. It also highlighted the importance of creating spaces where Afghan Christians can worship in their heart language. These gatherings give Afghan Christians a glimpse of the heavenly unity described in Revelation 7:9.
Supporting Afghan Missionaries: A New Frontier
As Afghan believers step into leadership, they face a unique challenge: how to sustain their ministry. Unlike Western missionaries, Afghan Christian leaders often lack access to traditional funding networks. Supporting Afghan missionaries—financially, spiritually, and educationally—is a growing need in diaspora ministry.
The Future of Diaspora Ministry and Global Impact
The landscape of refugee ministry in Athens is constantly evolving, influenced by political shifts and global events like COVID-19. Matt noted how COVID-19 changed refugee ministry in Greece, introducing online discipleship while maintaining face-to-face support. Afghan diaspora churches have also needed to adapt, balancing in-person and digital ministry.
Despite changes in refugee flows and government policies, Athens remains a strategic hub for ministry. While the numbers of refugees in Athens fluctuate, the government’s improved process for granting paperwork means more people are also moving on. This continuous movement necessitates that ministries like Diaspora Pathways remain adaptable and responsive, highlighting the dynamic nature of global missions. Afghan refugees in Greece still need the love, presence, and support of the church.
The Rise of the Afghan Diaspora Church
A significant development is the emergence of the Afghan church, a relatively new phenomenon. With mass migrations of Afghans globally, more are coming to faith, and a growing number are stepping into leadership roles within Christian communities. This creates a “greater need for Unity among these” communities, as well as for sound teaching and connection to the broader body of Christ. This focus on supporting Afghan missionaries and nurturing the Afghan diaspora church is a testament to God’s ongoing work.
Greece continues to be a geographically strategic location, serving as a “crossroads” where people from various nations pass through. This enduring reality ensures the continued relevance of ministries like EEM and Diaspora Pathways in this region. The vision extends beyond local impact to international engagement, identifying “areas of concentrated Afghans that need the gospel” and providing support to existing Afghan Christian communities worldwide.
Empowering All-In Disciples and Future Missionaries
The core of EEM’s mission and the work in Athens is to foster “all-in disciples reproducing all-in disciples”. This means empowering individuals to live out their faith authentically, embracing the costs and challenges that come with true discipleship. The focus is not just on spiritual healing but on equipping Afghan Christians to be active servants in God’s Kingdom, utilizing their unique gifts and talents as Afghan Christians living in new contexts.
A particularly crucial aspect is the support for Afghan missionaries. Many who arrived as refugees and found faith are now called to share the gospel with their own people. However, unlike American missionaries who raise funds from their home country, these Afghan missionaries face a “gap in funding”. It’s vital for the global church to step in and provide financial, prayer, and educational support for these brave individuals who are literally taking the gospel back to their people, often within the U.S. and Europe, where there are significant Afghan refugee communities
Lessons from the Field: Faith, Sacrifice, and Obedience
Matt’s journey is a testament to what happens when ordinary people say “yes” to God’s extraordinary call. As we reflect on these inspiring stories, we are reminded of our own call to “Go Make Disciples” wherever we are.
Balancing Family and Ministry
With three children and a life far from Oklahoma, Matt and his wife Nikki have learned to rely on God’s strength and the support of a diverse, gifted team. Their story reminds us that missions in Greece isn’t just about strategy—it’s about surrender. Their rhythms of prayer, reading, and community have sustained them through seasons of both fruitfulness and fatigue.
The Power of Prayer and Presence
Matt emphasizes the importance of prayer—not just as a discipline, but as a lifeline. In a world full of noise, Afghan Christian ministry requires deep listening to the Spirit. Whether through contemplative prayer or spontaneous conversation with God, staying rooted in Christ is essential.
Conclusion: The Gospel Is on the Move
The story unfolding in Athens is not just about Afghan refugees in Greece—it’s about the unstoppable movement of God’s Kingdom. They show how Afghan refugees in Greece are meeting Jesus and experiencing radical life change through the power of God’s Word. Through Bible distribution, refugee discipleship, and Afghan church planting, lives are being transformed and communities are being renewed.
The work unraveling in Athens among Afghan refugees is a powerful demonstration of God’s unfailing love and the transformative power of His Word. Through the dedicated efforts of ministries like Diaspora Pathways, supported by EEM’s provision of free Bibles in Farsi and Arabic, countless lives are being touched, and the Afghan church is flourishing. It’s a testament to the fact that God is actively moving, even in the most challenging circumstances, raising up “all-in authentic disciples” who are passionate about sharing the true Jesus, uncommercialized and unpoliticized.
At EEM, we believe in the power of God’s Word to change hearts and nations. And as Matt’s story shows, when we say yes to the call—whether in Oklahoma or Athens—God does more than we can ask or imagine.
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