For the past three Saturdays, we've been looking at contributions to the old Briefing ‘People in Ministry’ column, which focused on evangelical ministry worked out in practice. First David McDonald told us about the impetus behind Canberra Christian Youth Convention. Then Ken Simpson talks about ministry to doctors. Then Michael Blake explains how he uses school Scripture to reach parents. This week, Archie Poulos discusses evangelism to Greeks in Sydney in the late 80s:

Hundreds of thousands of Greeks came to Australia in the post-war migration boom. They came in search of wealth and a better future for their children.

With this migration came a corresponding increase in the Greek Orthodox Church. The church became a symbol of what it meant to be Greek—a rallying point for Greeks in their new home. Unfortunately, Orthodoxy is a religion of ritual, mysticism and superstition, and does not preach repentance and forgiveness through trust in the death of Jesus.

Evangelical Greek Churches were also established in capital cities, and these churches saw many converted. Today they are dying: they are small in size, with elderly congregations that do not attract new members. The young people have become disillusioned with the legalism and irrelevance of their parents' faith.

You may ask, “What has this situation to do with me?” There are about half a million second generation Greeks living in our suburbs—many of whom have never heard the gospel. It is our privilege to share the gospel with them.

Read the full article online (495 words).

(P.S. As mentioned by Tony in his ‘In this issue’ for Briefing #382/3, I have left Matthias Media to expand my immediate family. My replacement, Rachel Macdonald, will be taking over the management of Sola Panel from here.)

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