The Birth of Athens Grace Church
May 7, 2023
By Kelly Mehee Shin
Believers, families, and ministry partners gather at Koinonia Education Center for the beginning of Athens Grace Church on May 7, 2023.
AS THE MINISTIRES OF KEC GREW
God gradually expanded the vision He had given us. What began with education for refugee children grew to include families, shelter ministry, Bible studies, discipleship, and theological training through the GMU Online Seminary.
At the time, these ministries often seemed separate. Looking back, however, we can see that God was weaving them together. Children were being educated, families were being cared for, believers were growing in faith, and future leaders were being prepared.
Little by little, God was forming a spiritual family that would eventually become a church.
FAITHFUL PARTNERS ALONG THE JOURNEY
Whenever we returned to our sending church, Grace Korean Church in Los Angeles, we shared stories of refugees and the work God was doing among them in Greece.
Among those who listened closely were Dr. Paul Kim (Deacon Tae-hyung Kim) and Dr. Janet Kim (Deacon Ho-jung Kim). God placed a deep burden for refugee ministry in their hearts, and they became faithful ministry partners through prayer, encouragement, practical support, and personal involvement.
In November 2022, they came to Athens with a group of 13 people, including their three children, their parents, and two families from their Home Church, for a Family Vision Sharing program. Together, they spent time with refugee children and families, met emerging Christian leaders, and experienced firsthand both the needs and opportunities within the community.
They came not merely as visitors, but as partners who would continue walking alongside the ministry.
A VISIT THAT HELPED OPEN THE WAY
In May 2023, Dr. Paul and Dr. Janet Kim returned to Athens to help lead 1st Grace Encounter and a Quiet Time (QT) Seminar.
Through Grace Encounter, participants reflected on the transforming grace of God and their identity in Christ. The QT Seminar then helped believers develop the practice of reading, meditating on, and applying God’s Word in their daily lives.
As people worshiped, studied Scripture, prayed, and shared life together, it became increasingly clear that the community needed more than occasional ministry programs. They needed an ongoing church where believers could worship, grow, serve, and belong to a spiritual family.
The programs became an important turning point in that journey.
THE BIRTH OF ATHENS GRACE CHURCH
On the final Sunday of the May 2023 programs, children, parents, seminary students, refugee families, ministry leaders, and participants gathered with the visiting ministry partners for a special worship service.
On May 7, 2023, Athens Grace Church was born.
The church did not begin with a building or a single program. It grew from years of education, compassion, discipleship, prayer, leadership development, and faithful partnership.
Three families came together to provide the founding leadership, and the church began meeting at Koinonia Education Center at Solomou 62 in Athens.
From the beginning, worship and teaching were offered in both English and Persian, bringing people from different cultures and backgrounds together around a shared faith in Jesus Christ.
Dr. Paul and Dr. Janet Kim played an important role in this journey. Their prayer, support, Family Vision Sharing visit, and return to lead Grace Encounter and the QT Seminar helped strengthen the community at a crucial moment and contributed significantly to the formation of Athens Grace Church.
FAITHFUL PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES
Their partnership did not end with the church plant.
Dr. Paul and Dr. Janet Kim continued returning through annual short-term mission trips, often recognizing future ministry needs and helping provide the resources to meet them.
When Bible College Europe began in August 2024 to train refugee believers and emerging leaders, they came and participated with us. After returning to Los Angeles, they helped form the Greece Mission Board, bringing together committed partners for prayer and ongoing financial support.
Their faithful partnership helped make it possible for us to move into a larger ministry facility in 2025, providing Athens Grace Church with room to grow and Bible College Europe with a more suitable place for theological education, discipleship, and leadership training.
Their support has also extended beyond Greece, strengthening our continuing ministry among Persian-speaking believers and emerging Christian leaders in Türkiye.
Through the years, Dr. Paul and Dr. Janet Kim have become more than supporters of individual projects. They have become faithful co-workers along the journey—returning to the field, sharing the vision, mobilizing others, and helping prepare for each new season of ministry.
REFLECTION
Looking back, we see that God did not build His Church overnight.
He began with children and education. He deepened relationships through compassion and discipleship. He raised future leaders through theological training. And He brought faithful partners alongside us who shared the vision and helped prepare the way.
What seemed like separate ministries were all part of a greater story.
God was building His Church.
Athens Grace Church was born through people who encountered the grace of Christ, became a spiritual family, and gathered together to worship Him. And through faithful partnerships that continued beyond a single visit or program, God kept opening doors for the ministry to grow.
For Koinonia Ministry, Dr. Paul and Dr. Janet Kim have become such co-workers—faithful co-workers along the journey.
Through every step, we can see God’s faithful hand.