Social Relationships & Christian Community

A biblical understanding of hospitality in community shapes the way we relate to those in our social circles and those outside of them.

Concept:

The church exists in community. This goes deeper than just individuals gathering together.

The church is a place where humanity it being remade together through God’s grace.

A biblical understanding of hospitality in community shapes the way we relate to those in our social circles and those outside of them.

Importance:

In our culture today, we need redemption from overly individualistic Christianity. We must have a theology of action as the Body of Christ.

This experience will allow the team to see love in action through a diverse community, and how biblical hospitality is the antidote to fear and xenophobia.

Christ uses His church to unite peoples and cultures through His Spirit.

Action:

The team will work through several readings together, including a book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They will work alongside refugees in gardening or another creative project.

The team will have an opportunity to participate in a Cultural Night, where they can experience Middle Eastern culture, music, and food. The team may also visit refugees the home or workplace of refugees that have fully integrated in Athens.

Your Host:

George Tolias

Born and raised in a Christian family in Greece, George studied Electrical Engineering and taught afterwards as a professor at the same university for three years. In the course of those three years, God’s calling in his life became more obvious leading him to start his studies at the Greek Bible College.

During his theological studies, he worked as an intern at the First Evangelical Church of Athens. He met his wife, Phaedra, at the Greek Bible College and together they continued their studies at Westminster Theological Seminary (MA, Theological Studies). They have two children, Olivia (4 years old) and Nicholas (3 years old). George is now the Pastor of the Glyfada church, which was the first church plant of the Polis network. He is also completing his second Master’s degree in Eastern Orthodox religion.

Moments: