55:11 Podcast

In this episode, we explore the impactful work of Open Doors USA, an organization dedicated to supporting the persecuted church worldwide. Despite facing severe persecution, the church in different regions continues to grow, offering a powerful testimony of faith. Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors USA, shares how their mission raises awareness, provides resources, and advocates for those risking their lives to follow Christ. He emphasizes the lessons American Christians can learn from the persecuted church and the importance of prioritizing a deep relationship with God. Watch to know more about how the global body of Christ is strengthened through the faith of those who face persecution daily. Follow us on: PRAY.COM Show Notes: Follow us on: PRAY.COM Connect with EEM: EEM WebsiteEEM Facebook EEM LinkedIn EEM Instagram EEM Media

This is a quick update before Season 3 from Dirk and Brooke. Season 2 is also available in video format on EEM's YouTube channel Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG Follow us on: PRAY.COM

Season Two. Episode Nine. In this season's finale, hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Masoud Ghorbani about his journey from Islam to Christianity.  Masoud and his family left Afghanistan in 2015 looking for a better life. Their journey led them through Iran, Turkey, and eventually into Greece. As a staunch Muslim, Masoud saw himself as a defender of Islam who must resist the gospel message but eventually made a dramatic shift and chose to follow Jesus. Today, Masoud, his wife Anahita, and their three children are faithfully serving God in Athens, Greece, and around the globe with his online ministries. Working with Diaspora Pathways, Masoud leads the Agape Church of Athens, serves as Co-leader of the Farsi Bible Institute, leads the Afghan Association of Christian Pastors, teaches in the Academy for Spiritual Formation, speaks at conferences, and works to equip disciples to reach Afghans for Christ in Afghanistan and around the world. To learn more about Masoud's ministry, please visit ⁠DiasporaPathways.org⁠ Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.  To learn how you can partner with us to provide God's Word, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EEM.ORG⁠⁠ Follow us on: ⁠⁠PRAY.COM Season 3 coming soon!

Season Two. Episode Eight. From Russia With Love. Hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Oleg Yakimenko about his gospel ministry in Russia and his ongoing work with EEM.  Oleg joined EEM in 2013 as the National Coordinator for Russia and Belarus. Now, Oleg coordinates the EEM work in Russia and the countries of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. He has Master's degrees in Teaching and Translation of English and German Languages and in New Testament Theology. Oleg obeyed the Gospel in 1993 and is passionate about spreading God's Word. In 1997, Oleg moved from Eastern Ukraine to Russia and worked as an Evangelist with the local church of Christ in St. Petersburg. Oleg is married to his wife Natasha, and they have two adult sons and two grandchildren. Learn more about Oleg's ministry. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.  To learn how you can partner with us to provide God's Word, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EEM.ORG⁠ Follow us on: ⁠PRAY.COM⁠

Season Two. Episode Seven. Mission For Macedonian Revival. Hosts Dirk and Brooke reconnect with Nikola Galevski after meeting him recently on an EEM trip to North Macedonia.  Nikola Galevski was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia. Coming from a traditional Orthodox family, his faith was ignited in his youth through the witness of the local Evangelical Church in Skopje and with a special gift of God's Word. These events in his life inspired a life-long mission to share God's love with as many as possible. After finishing a BA in Art History and Archaeology, together with his wife Anet (who died from cancer in 2021), they both pursued master theological and ministry preparation studies at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, under the mentorship of Dr. Gordon Fee and Dr. Rikki E. Watts. Upon graduation, Anet and Nikola returned to Macedonia in 2005 to lead the Macedonian IFES/IVCF, start their second church plant, and initiate numerous evangelistic, outreach, educational, publishing, and music projects. Nikola and Anet have one daughter, Giselle-Maria Galevska. Apart from being a pastor of Evangelical Church Soulcraft, Nikola Galevski is a university evangelist, and lecturer in biblical studies, preaching, mission, and visual arts in North Macedonia and internationally. His utmost desire is to wholeheartedly love God and love people.  Learn more about Nikola from ⁠⁠scholarleaders.org⁠⁠. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.  To learn how you can partner with us to provide God's Word, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EEM.ORG Follow us on: PRAY.COM

Season Two. Episode Six. This episode was recorded on location in Athens, Greece. Hosts Dirk and Brooke traveled abroad with EEM (May 2023) for 13 days, visiting 5 countries. In this episode, they sat down with Matt Gulley of Diaspora Pathways. Matt Gulley is from Muskogee, Oklahoma, and is a graduate of Harding University. While at Harding, Matt met his wife Nikki (Roussos) who is from Athens, Greece. Matt and Nikki were married in 2003 and have three children ages 15, 12, and 10. They have lived in Greece for the past 15 years. Matt is currently the Executive Director for Diaspora Pathways. Together with a phenomenal team, Matt and Nikki felt called to start this organization in September 2022. It is uniquely focused on leadership development and spiritual formation among Afghan and Persian speaking Christians. The work of Diaspora Pathways is centered around four key areas: The Academy for Spiritual Formation, Trauma Care, Missions Training, and Missionary Development and Support. Prior to establishing Diaspora Pathways, Matt worked with Hellenic ministries for 14 years. For the last 7 of those years he served as the Director of Mercy Ministries and then AXIA 113, both works focused primarily on ministry among refugees in Greece. To learn more about Matt’s current work, please visit DiasporaPathways.org. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.   To learn how you can partner with us, go to: ⁠EEM.ORG

Season Two. Episode Five. This episode was recorded on location, in Vienna, Austria. Hosts Dirk and Brooke traveled abroad with EEM (May 2023) for 13 days, visiting 5 countries. In this episode, they sat down again with Dasha Novikova to get further Ukraine Updates. Dasha joined EEM in 2011 as the National Coordinator for Ukraine and now serves as EEM’s National Director in Ukraine. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.  To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Season Two. Episode Four. Gospel For Millions In Greece. Hosts Dirk and Brooke talk with Johnathan Macris. Johnathan Macris is president of Hellenic Ministries (formerly Hellenic Missionary Union) and the oldest child of well-known Greek evangelical missionaries, Costas and Alky Macris. Johnathan graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1985 and then returned to Greece to serve his mandatory year in the Greek Army. He and his wife, Miriam, married in 1987 and have five children: Justin, Natassa, Kyle, Karsten and Jorryn. Johnathan eventually went on to complete ministerial studies and was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 1994 through the Wheaton Bible Church. Since the beginning of Hellenic Ministries in 1980, Johnathan has been vitally involved in the mission’s emphasis of evangelism and church planting, discipleship and missions. In his leadership capacity, over the years, his responsibilities have included Personnel Manager, Summer Evangelistic Campaign Director/Coordinator, Member of both Greek and American Boards and de facto Administrator of the daily affairs of the Mission. He assumed the Boards designation of president in 2001. While the burden for Evangelism and Discipleship continues to mark Hellenic Ministries’ priorities, Johnathan is emphasizing the need for the ministry to fulfill its role and call to raise up, equip and send Greek workers into the harvest field of world missions. For more information about Johnathan or Hellenic Ministries, please visit its website: hellenicministries.org Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.   To learn how you can partner with us, go to: ⁠⁠⁠EEM.ORG

Season Two. Episode Three. Global Aid, Unity, And Hope. An Interview with Bart Robinski. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Bart Robinski, EEM's VP for European Operations. Bart became a Christian in 1995 and graduated soon after with a bachelor's degree in business management. After working in IT in Poland, he eventually went to Oklahoma Christian University, earned a bachelor's degree in biblical studies, and then a marketing and master's degree in ministry. After short-term missions and working on staff at a church, along with his wife and 3 kids, he now works in Vienna with adequate space for his operations to Europe. We hope you are inspired by this episode. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.   To learn how you can partner with us, go to: ⁠⁠EEM.ORG⁠⁠

Season Two. Episode Two. Bible Printing, Publishing, And Smuggling! An Interview with Scott Hayes. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Scott Hayes, EEM's Publishing Director. He is EEM's longest-serving team member - 38 years! Living in Vienna, Scott has many memories over the years involving bible printing, publishing, and even bible smuggling. We hope you are inspired by this episode. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.   To learn how you can partner with us, go to: ⁠EEM.ORG⁠ 

Season Two. Episode One. Open Doors In Croatia. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Jura Lazar, EEM's regional director for Central Europe. Jura is on the front lines. He is involved in widespread efforts in Central Europe that are opening doors for sharing the Bible. Also in this conversation: Jura's background in Croatia, family, work, passion, conversion story, and hope for the future in Central Europe. We hope you are inspired by this episode. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.   To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG 

Episode Ten. A Conversation With Dasha Novikova - Ukraine Updates: Hope on the Frontlines of War . Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke visit with Dasha about the War in Ukraine. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11.  To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG As a reminder, the show will return after a brief hiatus in several months. So make sure to add/follow/subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen. If you add the show, it will be in your library. That way, whenever something new drops, it'll automatically populate in your feed. Thanks for listening!

Episode Nine. Macedonian Children Bibles. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Eight. Habits of Humility. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Seven. A Boat, A Refugee, And His Boy. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Six. A Wounded Spirit Clings To Jesus. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Five. Bibles in Public Schools. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Four. Ukraine, Soup, and the Holy Spirit. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Three. Middle East Refugees…All In Disciples! Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG

Episode Two. The Mayor and a Children’s Bible. Hosts Dirk, Payton, and Brooke share a story, scripture, and challenge. Every story is a living example of Isaiah 55:11. To learn how you can partner with us, go to: EEM.ORG