Dino & Debbie Roussos - March, 2008
posted in Missions, Europe |
DINO & DEBBIE ROUSSOS
P.O. Box 70127 Glyfada, Greece 16610
Tel : 011 (30) 6944 344167
Fax : 011 (30) 210 8974405
E-mail : DinoRoussos@gmail.com
Our dear brethren,
From Athens we send you our Christian love and appreciation for your prayers, letters,
visits and care for us and the ministry of the Gospel of Christ.
Amazing doors continue to open as we share the message of Christ to the nations.
Special Worship of All Four Congregations
On Sunday, March 02, 2008 we enjoyed a special morning in which participated our four congregations, at the Omonia Church of Christ. (Russian, Bulgarian, Greek and English). Together we had fellowship, prayed together and took the Lord’s supper.
My message “God answers prayers” was translated by our Bulgarian brother George in English and Bulgarian. Christos Arnautov led the singing in several languages and brother Alexander Melirrytos led the prayers and the Lord’s supper.
After our morning worship we had a memorable lunch with about 140 members and friends of our congregation. Our fellowship was characterized by mutual love and praising God for His many blessings. Several members came early at 8am to assist prepare the traditional meal of “roast chicken with potatoes”. Thanks be to God and the Melirrytos’, who a few years ago bought an oven that is large enough to cook enough food for 180 people!
Working together for the Lord and His kingdom is a GREAT joy. Before we depart from this world we want to touch as many lives as possible. Bringing the good news that there is SALVATION and HOPE with eternal life through the precious sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.
95 Church Members and Friends in Corinth
One of the best ways to encourage fellowship amongst Christians and evangelize to the non-believers is to organize excursions. Last Monday was a public holiday in Greece and we organized a very nice excursion to the city of Ancient Corinth where the Apostle Paul spent 18 months.
We walked exactly where Paul walked. We visited the ruins from the time of Paul and we had a SPECIAL worship service. Readings taken from the book of Acts 18 and prayers in the exact spot where Paul stood trial in front of the Roman Governor (pro-council of Achaea) Gallio, as we read in Acts 18:12. We had the privilege and opportunity to encourage all present (95 precious souls) to share Jesus with the nations as the Apostle Paul did 2000 years ago in the city of Corinth.
Songs were sung in Greek, Bulgarian, Russian and English. It was a very touching moment as we all reflected on Jesus’ words “Make disciples of all nations baptizing them……”
After Corinth we all enjoyed a GREAT buffet lunch in a lovely Hotel by the Aegean Sea, then we drove to Lake Doxa (Praise) high in the Peloponnese mountains.
We returned late to Athens, tired but happy, for having the opportunity in meeting MANY new people, who came for the first time in our brotherhood. We plan to have Bible Studies with them and teach them God’s Holy Word and His message of peace, love and salvation.
New Members In the Lord’s Church in Athens
Voula Marinova was baptized by Christo Atnautov two weeks ago. She used to hold a high position as a mayor back in Communist Bulgaria. Now she lives and works in Athens, Greece.
We are also glad to see our new sisters, Svetlana and Valentina who were baptized recently, also Yiannis and Natalia, from Kiev .They regularly attend our services and grow in their faith.
God is working in the lives of so many precious souls in our congregation.
Greek Ladies Bible Study and Fellowship
Every other Saturday the ladies of our congregation meet in their homes for a time of Bible Study and spiritual growth.
Recently they have met in the houses of Mary, Kalypso and Eleni. Last Saturday they were supposed to meet at Maria’s house but her father in law died. We all went to the funeral in the morning and then all the members of the church present, were then invited for lunch in a restaurant. The Greek tradition is to offer fish soup and salad after the funeral.
Special Guest Speakers
In our Bulgarian assembly we had as our guest speaker Brother Ron Kretz, who is the Director of the Athens International Bible Institute. (A branch of Sunset in Athens). He and his wife are faithful Christians, who serve the Lord and train, men and women, of all nations here in Athens, Greece.
We enjoy their fellowship with us and we praise the Lord for their knowledge in the Bible and their many talents.
A Group of the “International Church of Christ” in Athens
Recently we found out about a group of 20-30 Christians meeting in an apartment in Athens, 15 minutes drive from the Omonia Church of Christ. Some of their members visited our assembly and Debbie and I attend their services on a Wednesday night. They have some wonderful Christians in their assembly, and they want to get to know us better.
Last Tuesday, brother Ilias who attends their meetings invited me at Evripidou (an evangelistic mission) to speak in a gathering of about 100 Greek people who meet to hear the word of God and to enjoy Christian fellowship.
Please pray for us as we meet with this new group of believers and for Theophanis and Ilias their leaders. God is in control and His word is our guide. May His name be Glorified.
Please Pray for:
- The new Church of Christ in Heraklion, Crete. Our brother John is the preacher there who loves the Lord and has GREAT responsibility to lead the new congregation in the Truth. John needs our prayers and encouragement. Please drop him an email. His address is: johnadesoye@msn.com
- Our newly married Bulgarian brother Nicolai and his wife Galina . They speak Greek and live in Athens. They were recently baptized and then married. Now they worship with us.
- The Omonia Church Retreat and SEMINAR which will take place June 25-28. We plan to invite brothers and sisters from the Balkan countries to come and join us during this GREAT event.If you want to come you are welcome. It will take place in a beautiful hotel near the ancient city of Corinth.
- The “Global Missions Conference” that will take place in Arlington, Texas at the Convention Center, July 24-26. I have been invited to be one of the keynote speakers . My topic will be “Flood the Nations”.
- The trip I am leading to Israel (March 28 – April 02) with 65 members and friends from our congregation at Omonia Church in Athens. This group of Christians is composed of Greeks, Russians, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Americans and Phillipinos. We will study the Bible as we visit the Lands where our Lord Jesus Christ lived, taught, died and was resurrected. This will be an excellent opportunity for me to teach God’s Holy Word and get to know new contacts who might be interested to learn the Truth.
Dear brethren,
May the Lord bless you, your families and your service in the Lord’s Church.
Words cannot describe our joy as we see precious souls coming to know Jesus as Saviour. Also, meeting with so many new people, who want to study God’s Holy Word.
We send you our Christian love.
Dino and Debbie Roussos