FROM PERSECUTION TO MINISTRY
From persecution in Iran and refugee life in Türkiye to theological education, a life-saving transplant, and pastoral ministry, Harpak and Ghazal’s journey is a testimony of God’s grace—and of a small Home Church that grew into Grace Church Kirikkale.
FROM REFUGE TO SHEPHERDING
Forced to leave Iran because of her Christian faith, Ghazal entered Türkiye as a refugee carrying loss, uncertainty, and many unanswered questions. Through serving refugee children, theological education, her husband’s life-threatening illness, and the birth of Grace Church Kirikkale, God transformed a wilderness into a calling to shepherd His people.
A Place to Learn, Belong, and Dream
Discover how Koinonia Education Center created a place for refugee children and youth to learn, belong, and dream through education, technology, and caring relationships.
A Refugee Young Adult Community Born Around the Table
What began with a simple invitation to share Korean food became a growing community of refugee young adults in Athens. Through meals, friendship, Bible study, worship, and the faithful continuation of relationships begun by an EM mission team, young refugees found a place of belonging—and some eventually came to faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized.
Planting God’s Word Across Borders
n August 2024, Bible College Europe began in Athens with a vision to provide biblical education and leadership training for refugees and migrants. What started with a small group of students became a new step toward raising faithful Christian leaders who could serve churches, home churches, and communities across cultures and nations.
From the Church to the Refugee Camp
What began with simple visits to Malakasa Refugee Camp grew into a gathering of refugees, church members, children, and ministry teams from several nations. Through Grace Encounter and VBS, people who had once met in the camp came together as one community of faith.
Stitches of Hope
Refugee women in Athens learn practical sewing skills together as they begin a Modern Hanbok-making project led by Kelly Shin.
The First Christmas of Two Growing Faith Communities
On Christmas Eve 2023, Athens Grace Church gathered for worship, fellowship, and celebration. A special video greeting from Pastor Harpak in Ankara connected the church with Grace Church Kırıkkale, making it a memorable first Christmas for two growing faith communities.
The Birth of Athens Grace Church
Discover how a ministry visit, Grace Encounter, and a Quiet Time seminar led three families to establish the bilingual Athens Grace Church on May 7, 2023.
A VBS Team Comes to Share God’s Love in Person
Discover how a twelve-member Saddleback Church team traveled from Los Angeles to Athens in June 2023 to share God’s love with more than thirty refugee children and parents through an in-person VBS.
A Home Church Begins in Kırıkkale, Türkiye
Discover how Harpak and Ghazal began a Home Church with eight people in their Kırıkkale apartment in 2022 and how it grew into Grace Church Kırıkkale.
Sharing the Gospel Through an Online VBS
Discover how an online VBS connected a Saddleback Church Home Church with thirty refugee children and youth in Athens through worship, Bible teaching, prayer, games, and creative activities in 2022.
The Beginning of Koinonia Education Center
Discover how Koinonia Education Center began in a small Athens basement in 2020, supporting refugee students through theological education, mentoring, and practical care.
Raising Refugee Leaders
Discover how Fred and Kelly Shin began supporting four refugee seminary students through theological education, mentoring, practical care, and hands-on ministry in 2020.
The First Glow of Love
Discover how the first Greece Glow of Love brought refugees and international ministry teams together for four days of worship, prayer, shared meals, and fellowship in 2019.
Obeying God’s Call to Greece
Discover how Fred and Kelly Shin obeyed God’s call to move to Athens in 2019, where relationships with Persian-speaking refugees shaped a new vision for discipleship and leadership development.
God Led Us into Refugee Ministry
Discover how a 2018 visit to Greece and encounters with refugees, persecuted believers, and emerging faith communities redirected our hearts toward refugee ministry.
The Beginning of Our Mission in Türkiye
Discover how our missionary journey began in Türkiye through language learning, cultural exchange, genuine friendship, and the first seeds of the Gospel.