Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Athens was started in 1985 E.C as a fellowship in a house by not more than 10 young Christian brothers and sisters who came from Ethiopia.

  These young Christians left their hometown and country because of the situation back then in the homeland, which was very problematic due to the Derg Communist regime. There was too much suffering and persecution, so these Christians left with one thing in mind and that was to reach in the northern part of America where they can worship the Lord in freedom and also further their studies.

  Couple of years passed; the fellowship grew until it was impossible to worship in the house. It was necessary to get a bigger place.

  By 1987 the fellowship temporarily got the permission to get together and worship two times in a week.

  Thursday and Sunday in Saint Andrew, the German Presbyterian church on Sina street near the center. Even though we got the place to worship we were short of ministers to minster.

  At that time passing through Greece was one of the options, for the Embassies of the U.S and Canada here in Athens were giving asylum and if accepted a plane ticket was given together with the visa for free. Those young Christians never thought of their small gathering to grow big and become a big congregation.

  They actually thought that the gathering was formed because of their staying and that everything will stop when they all leave this country. This thought was also shared by those who followed after until the day the Lord explained His thoughts that "there will be many who will be added in the Kingdom" meaning that there will be many who will receive Salvation here in Athens and that the work will not be finished or quenched.

  Couple of years passed; the fellowship grew until it was impossible to worship in the house. It was necessary to get a bigger place. By 1987 the fellowship temporarily got the permission to get together and worship two times in a week. Thursday and Sunday in Saint Andrew, the German Presbyterian church on Sina street near the center. Even though we got the place to worship we were short of ministers to minster.

  In spite of all the above problems the fellowship was established in God's plan and was led by His Spirit so there was understanding between the brothers and sisters which in turn gave spiritual fire, good social life; strength to the congregation and power to continue.

  By the end of 1988 the fellowship ratified inter denominational rules for most of the members were from different church backgrounds. The ministry grew and the new thing was by that time there were too many who got saved here. The greatest gift that the Lord gave to the fellowship was and is to evangelize to the lost.

  And when they accept Jesus as their personal savior and got saved baptized them teaching them basic Christian principles. When their spiritual life gets stronger and when God opens doors for them to go to other countries the fellowship prayes and counsel them to stick to the teachings of the Lord to keep and care for their new life in Christ and bids them Farwell.

  Though it is difficult to estimate, we believe that thousands got saved within these past 25 years. Most of them are now residing in the US, Canada and some are here in Europe. We find also some who got saved and ministered this Fellowship as a fulltime minster diligently and honestly.

  The fellowship has encountered problems from outside and the inside, but because the Lord holds the harness a beginning which was small as a mustard seed grew up into becoming a shelter to many and has been a tool for the Lord to snatch many out of spiritual darkness into light.

  Despite the fact that the fellowship was giving full service it was not recognized by the Greek government until 2010, it was known by the name "Ethiopian Evangelical Christian Fellowship"; from now on wards it has the name. "Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church"