Greece: Speaking up for vulnerable women

This is the second of three articles shared with en by Langham Partnership UK & Ireland (LPUKI). The articles detail LPUKI's work in various parts of the world.

Greece is a major gateway into Europe, with 80% of migration flowing through its borders. Where there is migration, traffickers follow. Approximately 40,000 women and children aged 12–25 are trafficked in Greece every year.

One Langham Graduate is using her platform as a professor at the Greek Bible College (GBC), Athens, to speak up for vulnerable women. Myrto Theocharous teaches Old Testament and is also the president of Nea Zoi, an anti-trafficking ministry.

Work on the streets

“I love the Old Testament. The book of Deuteronomy reveals to me God’s heart for the oppressed, God’s heart for the poor… God [liberating His people] from slavery, a new life being given to them, a new blueprint of living life,” Myrto said.

She was fascinated by Nea Zoi’s work on the streets and in brothels. "This ministry helps me to focus better on what needs to be answered, what Christ came to do on this earth," she said. “He came to liberate people. He came to liberate slaves. This is how the whole story started, right?"

Restoring lives to fullness

A Nea Zoi staff member, "A", shared that their goal is to “reach men and women in prostitution, to support them and help them to restore their lives to fullness."

“And we hope for them to find their voice again, being able to express who they are. But it’s a long, long journey here,” she said.

Myrto was the first evangelical woman in Greece to gain a theological PhD. She graduated from Cambridge University in 2011 (through the Langham Scholars programme).

Seeking voices from the margins

Theo Karvounakis, the Director of GBC, is also a Langham Scholar. He explained that Myrto lives out her faith “in a brilliant way”, bridging theology and practice.

Myrto says it has been “extremely useful” to have a PhD, as it has opened many doors. “I’m very grateful for Langham! For me, Langham is the way that all organisations should be like. Really seeking out the voices from these places, from the margins especially, and see what the Spirit is telling the churches.”

Listening to the Spirit

She added: “It makes me so happy to see my students listening to the Spirit calling them to serve the poor and the oppressed of this world. If this is God’s character… then listening to the Spirit means that you will express yourself in your ministry in this way."

“So if I had anything to do with teaching my students to listen, to pay attention to those who are less privileged than they are, then I am a successful teacher,” Myrto said.

Myrto’s former students include co-founders of a homeless ministry, a church planter for refugee families, a children’s book author, fellow college staff, and more.

Myrto is one of 340 Langham Scholars around the world. On average, each Langham Scholar will train 9,478 students across their career. Together, they will impact millions of church leaders’ lives.

This article was originally published on LPUKI's website and has been lightly edited for publication here.