The World Over
Jesus Christ
(John 14:27)
How it all started
Argentina
There have been several Greek people who have become members of the Salvation Army throughout the years.
Actually there have been several people who have become Salvation Army officers. The first as far as we know was Alexis Mylonas, who left Greece to go to USA in the early 20s. He ended up going to Argentina and eventually becoming a Salvation Army Officer. If you would like to read his story (Greek version only at the moment) click here.
There is no doubt that it was those people's prayer that one day The Salvation Army will be serving their countryman in Greece.
Australia
There have been several Greeks in Australia who have become members of the Salvation Army.
In Wollongong of Australia, Jim Moisidis made his home for the last almost 30 years. Jim, an evangelical Christian from a small village outside Katerini in Greece, moved to Australia and so it happened that he bought a house near the Salvation Army's local centre. Soon he was attending meetings there and became a member of the local corps.
In 92, having now retire from work, he came back to Greece for almost a year with a passion to see The Salvation Army take root in his homeland. He was hoping and praying that God will use him in planting the seeds that one day will grow and his dream will be fulfilled.
When he was in Greece he got to talk to Nikos Ziogas, a relative of his. They decided that they should write to International Headquarters of The Salvation Army and ask for this wonderful organisation to come and commence work in Greece.
In February 93 they were able to arrange a meeting with the General's representative responsible for the Work in Europe.
England
Although Jim had lived for over 25 years in Australia, he mainly lived among the Greek community and so he wasn't very confident of his English when it came to meet with officers at International Headquarters. So Jim and Nikos decided to take Haris along mainly to be an interpreter, but they hoped for more.
Commissioner Hannevick was the International Secretary for Europe and together with Colonel Maurice Cooper who was the under-secretary for South Europe met with the three friends who came from Greece.
Their answer to the invitation to start the work of The Salvation Army in Greece, was that The Salvation Army didn't have any officers who could speak the language. If there was to be a Greek Salvation Army officer, perhaps one day he could take The Salvation Army back to Greece with him.
Haris felt God calling him to be that man. He went back to Greece a few days later and shared his excitement with his wife Anna. She decided to give it a go.
Polis was an old friend of Haris. When he heard of The Salvation Army and all that it does he was certain that this is where he belonged.
Soon Haris and Anna moved to London in August 93 to join The Salvation Army, Polis and Maria followed soon afterwards.
This is how this face of the work started and we ask you to pray that God will accomplish what He started and that we will all be willing to do His will.