For Such A Time As This

SPECIAL REPORT: INTERNATIONAL RHEMA

The message of faith works everywhere—even in grim economic conditions., a nation that is doing whatever it can to stay afloat. But in spite of government measures, unemployment remains rampant. And for many Greeks, the future looks bleak.

LONG BEFORE economic crisis began gripping this land of an- cient ruins and modern metropolises, God was preparing help. He raised up Spyros Voulgaris to be a voice to proclaim the mes- sage of faith and to demonstrate His Word with signs following. Spyros first heard about Rhema USA in 1994 and immediately wanted to attend. Although it wasn't possible at that time, he said in his heart, "One day, I'll be there."

That day finally came in 2004. As Spyros likes to say, "I put my foot outside of the boat!" He began walking out Mark 11:23. In the face of seeming impossibilities, he began declaring, "In one year, I will be in Rhema USA. I am going." The more he talked about going, the more his faith grew and people got behind him and supported him. And God made a way for this gregarious Greek to live out his dream. He graduated from Rhema School of Pastoral Ministry in 2007 and returned to his homeland—only a few years before the economic crisis.

Sometimes God calls people to places of great need so they can bring the truths of His Word. Then, as faith blossoms and grows in people's hearts, God can turn hopeless situations around. Since his return to Greece, Spyros has taken what he's learned at Rhema USA and has poured his heart and soul into the lives of his countrymen. He's been teaching them that God can provide for them, heal them, and deliver them—even when there seems to be no hope in the natural.

PROPAGATING THE WORD

People who know Spyros say that everything grows in his hands. Whether it's people or plants, when Spyros works with them, they have no option but to thrive. His green thumb is evident in the lush plants and flowers that cover the balcony of his flat in Athens. It's also evident in the lives of everyone he ministers to.

For a time it looked as though Spyros wasn't going to cultivate anything. In 2009 when he started Logos Church in his flat, nobody came! "I put a mirror in my living room and started preaching to myself," he laughingly says. But before long, people began to attend and the church grew.

GO TEACH MY PEOPLE FAITH

Rhema Greece opened the following year. Some might think that starting a Bible school in the midst of a severe recession is not a good idea, but it's exactly what Greece needed. "Although we have challenges to overcome," Spyros says, "the future for Greece is bright. I believe that we [Rhema Greece] are here for such a time as this."

Spyros is extremely grateful for the opportunity he had to train at Rhema USA. The school imparted to him a high standard of excellence in ministry, and he is bringing that same standard to Rhema Greece. There is no compromise. "I want my people to be as blessed and prepared for what God calls them to as I was," he says.

Many students at Rhema Greece don't have jobs and are over- coming great odds to attend. "Every student attends school by faith," says Spyros. "Right now we have to believe God for everything. But we see God in our lives every day.

"In Greece," Spyros continues, "we have a lot of opportunities to exercise our faith." Both his students and church congrega- tion have grabbed hold of the faith message and are seeing God's promises manifest in their lives.

A couple in Logos Church had not been able to pay their electric bill for a long time. The day finally came when they received notice that their electricity would be shut off. They called Spyros and agreed in prayer for a miracle. Later that night, Spyros received another call. This time the couple was ecstatic. Their electricity wasn't turned off! The government had reversed its decision. This had never happened before.

Although many Greeks are losing their jobs, one Rhema Greece graduate stood on the Word and received a raise!

Spyros recalls a day when his car's fuel gauge showed empty. He didn't have money for gasoline, but he needed to go somewhere that was 100 miles away. So he got into his car, turned the key, and drove to his destination and back!

"We live this every day," he explains. "When we need something, we believe God, and we have it. I don't know if you call this a demonstration of God's power. But for us, it's everyday life."

FROM DEATH TO LIFE

God has also worked healing miracles. Three years ago, Spyros was standing in faith for healing and total restoration for his brother-in-law, Vasilis.

Vasilis was in a very bad motorcycle accident and had massive brain injuries. The doctors declared him brain dead and said he'd never recover. Spyros knew it was up to him to stand for his brother-in-law's healing. His sister did not attend a faith church and was emotionally distraught. She was asking God to spare her husband, even if it meant he would be in a comatose state. Spyros told her, "No, God will heal him. Just watch and see."

"I hate funerals," Spyros confesses. "I said to God, 'I'm a new pastor. I don't like all this screaming and stuff.' And God has had mercy on me!

"I said to my brother-in-law, 'Vasilis, you have to come back. I will not let you go, man. Find another way, another time.' "

Faith in God prevailed. To the doctors' amazement, Vasilis didn't die. Although the doctors said he would never be able to communicate, today his speech is almost 100 percent restored!

PASSING THE BATON

In June Kenneth and Lynette Hagin presided at Rhema Greece's first graduation, giving 20 men and women their diplomas. This group of on-fire graduates is ready to sow what they've learned into others' lives. There's much work to be done in Greece. Only three out of every 1,000 Greeks are born again. But as Spyros puts it, "This is great news for us. We have 99.7 percent to win!"