Spring Term Blog

SATURDAY
Michael Humphrey, NCCS Alum + Systems Administrator | Production Director

Γεια σας από την Αθήνα! That’s “Hello from Athens” in Greek.

We had a smooth journey from start to finish, from the bus ride (shoutout to Steve Fick), to check-in, to security. We successfully made it through all the unique sights and sounds of our hot sauna ride… I mean, airplane. (It was really hot on both planes.) Most of us didn’t get much sleep, myself included.

By the time we reached Frankfurt and later sat down for dinner tonight, the main topics of conversation were whether anyone had managed to get any sleep and updates about other Spring Term groups whose travel plans had been altered. 

When we arrived in Greece, we were greeted by our Praying Pelican Ministries (PPM) missionaries, who were waving small Greek flags and handed them out to us. During the bus ride, they shared some of the history of Athens through a biblical worldview and explained how we’ll be walking where Paul once walked as we study the Bible here.

At dinner tonight, we celebrated Maisie Allen and Naz Taghavi’s 18th birthdays with a surprise dessert. which was baklava. Afterward, we returned to the hotel and ended the day with an orientation covering how the week will unfold. Each of us shared one thing we expect will challenge us during our time here. 

We then headed to bed, knowing tomorrow holds even more experiences. But that’s a story for another time.

Sleep deprived,

Μιχαήλ

Michael

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SUNDAY

McKenna Fierce, Grade 11

We kicked off the day the best way possible—with breakfast at the hotel! We were a little sleepy, but super excited for everything ahead. After fueling up, we hopped on the metro and took a fifteen-minute walk to the church. Along the way, we talked, laughed, and soaked in the streets around us.

Church was amazing—the atmosphere was so welcoming. We spent time hanging out with each other and meeting new people, sang worship, shared brunch, and even celebrated with a Happy New Year’s cake! It made the whole experience joyful and meaningful. Before leaving, we stayed to chat some more and helped with cleanup.

After church, we hit the streets again and walked to the Olympic Stadium. We grabbed coffee and snacks at a local spot to recharge, then set out on a long hike up Wolf Hill. Watching the sunset from the top was absolutely breathtaking.

Once the sun went down, we hiked back down and strolled through the city, surrounded by stunning buildings, on our way to dinner at an Italian restaurant. Of course, we couldn’t skip gelato on the way back to the hotel!

It was an incredible day, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for us tomorrow.

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MONDAY

Kalea Walker and Kyiah Van Kirk, Grade 12

On Monday of our Greece Spring Term, we started the day with a tour learning about ancient Athens and its connections to the Bible. Our teacher, Anton, took us to several sites that were important to both Greek and biblical history. We even got a short break to walk through the Greek meat market, where they had pig heads arranged into silly faces, which definitely caught our attention.

After that, we walked to a small Greek Orthodox church in the middle of a service spoken entirely in Greek. The architecture was beautiful, and the walls were covered in paintings of saints. We also saw grand universities with strong connections to Greek gods of wisdom and the arts, complete with intricate statues that represented those ideas.

Later, we made our way to the Acropolis and got to see the incredible ruins built by the ancient Greeks. The views from the top were stunning and served as a powerful reminder of how beautifully God created the world. From there, we walked down to Mars Hill, a rocky hill where the Apostle Paul spoke to the people of Athens.

As the sun began to set, we sang Holy Forever and Gratitude, then prayed over the city of Athens. Anton read Acts 17:16–34, including verse 22, where Paul speaks about the “unknown god.” Paul’s visit completely changed the religious direction of the city. In such a short amount of time, people listened and believed. As Anton read the passage, people we didn’t even know stopped, sat around us, and listened.

We ended the day sitting on Mars Hill, looking out over the city, and reflecting on the songs we sang and everything we experienced. It was a powerful and unforgettable moment.

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TUESDAY

Cooper Bazarsky, Grade 12

On January 6, 2026, we woke up to eat breakfast in the restaurant area of the hotel and received the plan for the day. We then made our way to the metro station, and after an hour, we arrived at the church. Anton told us that we would be prayer walking. Many students were confused about what a prayer walk really was, but he explained the deeper meaning. It is the act of walking and praying with your eyes open, intentionally focusing on the people, places, and needs of the area you walk through. We were encouraged to pray continually on our walk as it says in ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ which says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Groups then headed off on an adventure to the coastline, praying for the Greeks, those living in apartments, families back home, and for the human race as a whole to seek the one true Creator, Jesus.

The other groups had the task of taking down Christmas lights, trees, and wreaths. Some students helped make curry and chicken soup for lunch. After our walks and mission work, we met up with Victor and his friends to go to the basketball courts and playgrounds to have some fun. Afterward, we headed back to the church to worship. Victor, his friends, and some NCC students sang songs such as “Who Else” and “Holy Forever.” It was an unforgettable night, uniting as a church and worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ. The musicians even decided to go acoustic, which made it very heartfelt. Lastly, we wrapped up our day with pizza and drinks for dinner, and it was a wholesome time filled with many laughs. 

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WEDNESDAY

Greece: Corinth and the Mediterranean

Gavin Cehanovich, Alex Queen and Jack Bitner

On Wednesday, we started our day with breakfast at Kings Ridge, where everyone was incredibly kind. We enjoyed chocolate, croissants, peaches, bell peppers, and rich Greek coffee before hopping on the bus for our journey to Corinth.

Our first stop was the Greek Canal on the Isthmus of Corinth. This massive canal is 4 miles long and 23 feet deep, connecting the two sides of Greece and serving as an important trade route. Seeing it in person was both daunting and impressive.

Next, we climbed up a giant mountain to Akrocorinthos Castle, where we were treated to breathtaking views of God’s creation. The climb was challenging—especially in crocs—but reaching the top was worth every step. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left a lasting impression.

For lunch, we shared a meal with the local cats and dogs. I had a lamb burger and enjoyed sharing my fries with the animals. The food and the views were incredible, and we even spotted a couple of rainbows!

After lunch, we explored the ancient town of Corinth, walking the very streets that Paul once walked. The little shops were welcoming, and we even saw clothing preserved from around 200 years ago. Friendly dogs and cats wandered around, adding to the charm of the town.

We then visited an excavation site of ancient Corinth, exploring the ruins and walking the roads of history. I was amazed to see stones that could have been part of the original buildings. We also saw inscriptions referencing Erastus, a man Paul mentions in the Bible.

Next, we toured the Corinth Museum, viewing ancient statues, temples, and ruins. A highlight was standing at the exact spot where Paul was tried, touching the pillar where he was posted, and imagining the events that took place there—an incredible connection to biblical history.

On the way back, we stopped at the Mediterranean Sea for a swim. I jumped in first, and soon everyone followed. Swimming where ancient Corinth’s port once thrived and where Paul traveled was unforgettable. The views and the history beneath the water made it a truly special moment.

Finally, we returned to Athens for dinner, enjoying a variety of dishes including seafood, pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. We capped off the night with homemade ice cream from a local shop before heading back to the hotel, exhausted but full of memories.

—Gavin Cehanovich, Alex Queen, and Jack Bitner

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Serving in Athens: Final Day of Ministry

Today, our team split into several groups to serve at different ministries around Athens.

One group visited New Start, a ministry supporting women involved in prostitution. Dimitris shared powerful stories of transformation and hope. While the ministry provides practical help and a safe space, the heart of their work is sharing Jesus. We also took a prayer walk in the area where the brothels are—a reminder that prayer is a spiritual weapon in a real battle against spiritual forces. Many women are forced or abducted from their countries, trapped in heartbreaking situations, and it is incredibly difficult to escape.

Another group visited Rain Lab, an independent professional clothing brand based in the basement of Hellenic Ministries. Athiná, Eleni, and Dímitra showed us how the brand helps refugees make a living by creating professional clothing. Later, our other group joined to learn more about the mission and operations.

In the afternoon, we split into three groups again:

• Good Samaritan Ministry: This ministry provides language classes, children’s programs, clothing, washing machines, and medical care—free of charge—to Arabic- and Farsi-speaking communities. They also bring the gospel alongside practical help. Our team shared gifts with them, which were received with gratitude. Embeatrice shared how God has multiplied their work—from one table and one doctor to four floors of services including medical and dental care—all relying on His provision.

• Threads of Hope Ministry: This is a follow-up to New Start. Here, women learn sewing skills to gain jobs, dignity, and independence, while also enjoying a safe environment where they can prepare for life beyond prostitution. We weren’t able to meet the women in person, respecting their privacy, but we saw the items they created and prayed for them, as we did at every ministry.

• Hellenic Ministries: This ministry provides meals for the Greek homeless, as well as Farsi-, Arabic-, and Ukrainian-speaking communities. Our team helped prepare and serve the food, followed by worship led by Leonid on guitar (from Ukraine) and the Greek program led by Nikos. Two team members shared their testimonies, translated by Nikos, and received heartfelt responses from the people they encouraged. It was a privilege to be a blessing to so many.

This marked our last day of serving in Athens. Tomorrow morning, the team flies home. Tonight, we will share a final dinner at the Hellenic Ministries building, graciously hosted by Nikos, and then prepare for our journey home.

—Jonathan Baarda
Praying Pelican Missions, Host