God transforms hearts in every corner of the world, including here in Europe. He calls us to make disciples of all nations and promised to be with us, even to the end of the age.
Sometimes though, when we look at ourselves and our cities, we are discouraged. We may wonder, “How does my story fit into the bigger picture?” We want to use our gifts, circumstances, skills and resources to serve God where we live and work.
In light of this, Agape Europe hosts Humans of Agape, a podcast to highlight stories of what God is doing around Western Europe. We want to encourage you and let you know how God is moving and working, here and now, through followers of Jesus just like you.
Perhaps the Lord will use these stories to inspire you to act in new ways in your context. Maybe He wants you to find a way to partner with the people around you in order to multiply your efforts together. He may remind you that your community stretches far beyond what you can see. You may see that others are with you and for you.
“I myself am always encouraged when I hear stories of what God is doing today, and I know that’s true for others too,” said Jochen Geck, the German staff member who hosts Humans of Agape. Jochen serves in Berlin, Germany and leads the Internet ministry of Campus für Christus, Germany.
“With a European-wide podcast in English, we could potentially encourage thousands of Christians,” said Jochen.
Jochen’s guests include a cross-section of Agape Europe staff, involved in everything from campus ministry to film. We hope that this new podcast will encourage you! Start listening today.
This month, on our social media, we talk about knowing Jesus in a deep, intimate way, and we asked today’s Human of Agape to share how she experiences that – and what we can learn from it. So in today’s #lockdown lore on the Humans of Agape podcast, Tini Horning joins our host, Jochen Geck. Tini does staff development for Germany and Western Europe and is Agape’s TPD Coordinator for GermanyTune in today for Humans of Agape!
„Who in your home, in your life, in your workplace could you surprise with underserved favour, with being a servant to them, even though you don’t have to?“
In today’s #lockdown lore on the Humans of Agape podcast, Jack Barraclough joins our host, Jochen Geck. Jack is team leader in Agape’s student ministry and lives with his wife in Newcastle, England. He shares about chasing postmen with cake, servanthood and true humility in the balance of power of our relationships.
Tune in today week for Humans of Agape!
"This is our calling in this pandemic: Fully living in God’s kingdom here and now while longing for Heaven." In episode 34, #lockdownlore is back! In this short episode, our host, Jochen Geck, shares about what he’s learning from Bonhoeffer and the Holy Spirit about following Jesus in lockdown life.
In episode 33 of Humans of Agape, Laura Metzler joins our host, Jochen Geck. Laura is the co-team leader for Campus Connect, Agape’s student ministry, in the south-west of Germany and lives in Stuttgart with her husband. She shares about the ways God has called her into ministry, what working with students looks like during this pandemic and the fascinating things she’s learning at the moment. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape!
In episode 32 of Humans of Agape, Maarten Gast joins our host, Jochen Geck. Maarten is the director of Student Led Movements for Agape and lives in Rotterdam in the Netherlands with his family. He shares awesome stories of what God is doing in universities across Europe during this pandemic and leaves us with a challenge. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
Humans of Agape is back! In episode #31, Elizabeth & Chris McKinney join our host, Jochen Geck. Elizabeth and Chris are staff members with Cru (Agape) in Missouri in the US and have recently published a book called ‘Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door Neighbors’. They share about their experience and about loving your neighbors in a pandemic.
“It’s in our suffering that our love is revealed most clearly, because that’s when it’s tested to the limit.“ In today’s #lockdown lore on the Humans of Agape podcast, Pepe Wagner joins our host, Jochen Geck. Pepe is team leader in Agape’s student ministry in Lisbon, Portugal. He shares with us what he’s found to be true about suffering: That God steps into suffering with us, and that suffering is the natural reaction of love and goodness to evil.
Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
“It’s in our suffering that our love is revealed most clearly, because that’s when it’s tested the limit.“ In today’s #lockdown lore on the Humans of Agape podcast, Pepe Wagner joins our host, Jochen Geck. Pepe is team leader in Agape’s student ministry in Lisbon, Portugal. He shares with us what he’s found to be true about suffering: That God steps into suffering with us, and that suffering is the natural reaction of love and goodness to evil.
Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
30 years from now, if I tell stories about this time, I will talk about the who’s of lockdown.“ In today’s #lockdown lore on the Humans of Agape podcast, Becky Arvan joins our host, Jochen Geck. Becky is Agape’s National Representative in Latvia and serves primarily in the student ministry. She shows up with authenticity, vulnerability and hope—sharing her pursuit of intentional community with other Christians and non-Christian friends and family.
In episode #27 of Humans of Agape, Matthias Langhans joins our host, Jochen Geck. Matthias is Agape’s team leader in Vienna, Austria, and he shares with us how he has learned from the Irish Missions Movement to be a culturally relevant ambassador of Christ in these times. He talks about the cultural shifts Europe is going through, how they’re being accelerated by the pandemic and how believers get to approach all of this with boldness and hope. Matthias blends fascinating cultural analysis with practical steps.
In episode #27 of Humans of Agape, we’re traveling to the great city of Berlin, Germany, to hear some lockdown lore from Barbara Jackson. Barbara is a fierce leader of the campus ministry and a rockstar mom and she talks about those moments in lockdown life where the meaningful and the menial collide. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape!
In episode 26 of Humans of Agape, Júnia Barbosa from Lisbon, Portugal shares her lockdown lore about life as a mom, nurse-midwive and national director for Family Life. She talks about coming alongside marriages and families online, but how the show doesn’t have to go on – in this time of crisis we get to ask for God’s help and wisdom.
In episode 25 of Humans of Agape, listen to some more lockdown lore! John McNeill calls himself „an Irishman living with the Vikings“. He’s Agape Europe’s Digital Strategy Director, and he and his wife Ruth are based in Copenhagen, Denmark. In this short episode, John shares about God revealing himself in and through disruption and asks us: “What is the Lord saying to you through these disruptive times?“ Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 23 of Humans of Agape, we’re trying something new: We call it lockdown lore. Instead of a longer interview, we listen to one story, verse or thought that is timely. Today, Samuel Palacios tells us the story of how God seemingly thwarted his family’s plans. Samuel and his wife usually serve in Barcelona, Spain with the Agape+ social ministry, but are currently in New York City. He shares about life in lockdown in a foreign country and what God is teaching them amidst the chaos. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 23 of Humans of Agape, we’re trying something new. In a short episode, our host Jochen Geck shares about his journey into and his experience with contemplative prayer. He explains how in a time of change and outward chaos, this helps him draw near to God and experience His love. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 22 of Humans of Agape, Joel Hardman joins our host, Jochen Geck. With his wife, Amy, Joel co-leads Agape’s student ministry in Italy. They live in Rome. Joel shares about ministry and personal faith in times of lockdown and social distancing, how to connect love your neighbor and practicing the presence of God in the current reality . Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 21 of Humans of Agape, Yannik Stauffer joins our host, Jochen Geck. Yannik is a regional leader with MyFriends, a ministry that helps everyday Christians develop a lifestyle that creates opportunities for their friends and family to discover God’s story together. Yannik lives in Bern, Switzerland. He shares about his heart to help people share about their faith in approachable and attractive ways. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 20 of Humans of Agape, Amos Koch joins our host, Jochen Geck. Amos co-leads SHINE in Germany, Agape’s ministry to youth and high school students, and lives in Fürth. He shares about his heart for seeing a young generation that reflects God. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 19 of Humans of Agape, Lars Fetzner joins our host, Jochen Geck. Lars works in the prayer ministry in Germany and lives in Leipzig. He shares about the importance of time dedicated to prayer and how to fight discouragement with worship. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 18 of Humans of Agape, Astrid Murfitt joins our host, Jochen Geck. Astrid works in ministry partner development in France and lives near Strasbourg. In this special Christmas episode, she speaks about Christmas traditions in her family and the power of giving. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 17 of Humans of Agape, Seán Ó Ronáin joins our host, Jochen Geck. Seán works in student ministry in Ireland and lives in Dublin. He shares how God changed his life. He’s an Olympic weightlifter who wants to make Jesus known. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 16 of Humans of Agape, Miranda Gast joins our host, Jochen Geck. Miranda works in student ministry in the Netherlands and Western Europe and lives in Rotterdam. She shares about being a mom on staff, how to find rest and gives insights into the Dutch soul. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 15 of Humans of Agape, Chloe Hanan joins our host, Jochen Geck. Chloe is Agape’s national campus director in Ireland and lives in Dublin. She shares about how listening to God’s voice can radically change a conversation and how students encounter God in Ireland. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode 14 of Humans of Agape, Paul Duncan joins our host, Jochen Geck. Paul does leadership development for Agape Europe and lives in Birmingham, England. He shares about learning new things, dealing with change and how good questions help us with discipleship. Tune in this week for Humans with Agape.
In episode 13 of Humans of Agape, Sophie De Lay joins our host, Jochen Geck. Sophie works in the student movement in Lyon, France. She shares about Narnia, loving others despite our differences and God’s heart for justice in French protesting. Tune in this week for Humans with Agape.
In episode 12 of Humans of Agape, Charmaine Caruana joins our host, Jochen Geck. Charmaine is Agape’s national representative in Malta, together with her husband, and is involved in the family and youth ministry. She shares about doing ministry with volunteers, women’s meetings in the presidential palace and encourages to trust in God who does His ministry through faithful volunteers. Tune in this week for Humans with Agape.
In episode #11 off Humans of Agape, Micky Drever in Birmingham, UK joins our host, Jochen Geck. Micky is the personal assistant to Agape UK’s director Lesley Cheesman. Micky shares from her unique vantage point what God is doing in the UK, talks about her creative endeavors and encourages us to dare to be vulnerable. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode #10 of Humans of Agape, Erika Onus in Reykjavik, Iceland joins our host, Jochen Geck. Erika is an intern in the student movement in Iceland. She shares about the importance of modeling a relationship with God to the people around you, being natural in Gospel conversations and why Icelanders are like the weather there. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode #9 of Humans of Agape, Marcos Pego in Porto, Portugal joins our host, Jochen Geck. Marcos leads SHINE in Portugal, Agape’s youth ministry. He encourages us to live the SHINE lifestyle, wherever we are: S hare your faith, H ug people, I nspire yourself, N joy fellowship, E quip others. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode #8 of Humans of Agape, Céline Bührer in Zürich, Switzerland joins our host, Jochen Geck. Céline is a part of Central Music in Switzerland, Agape’s movement of musicians and music students in popular music. She encourages us to use our gifts for the kingdom in the place God has put us, and shares about her passion for music, creating and community. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode #7 of Humans of Agape, Abraham “Abe” Crespo in Barcelona, Spain joins our host, Jochen Geck. Abe co-leads Athletes in Action in Spain, part of our global ministry that focuses on athletes. He is passionate about coaching and investing in others to see spiritual and personal growth. Tune in this week for Humans of Agape.
In episode six of Humans of Agape, Laurie Soliday in Berlin, Germany joins our host, Jochen Geck. Laurie is Agape’s co-national campus director in Germany and is involved in equipping student led movements in Western Europe and around the world. She shares stories of students reaching their campus, and of former students applying what they learned in student ministry to make Jesus known at their work place. She also talks about how she travels around the world to equip students and staff despite her fear of flying, because God is worthy. Tune in to this week’s episode of Humans of Agape.
In episode five of Humans of Agape, Renata Ramanauskaite in Vilnius, Lithuania joins our host, Jochen Geck. Renata is Agape’s national director in Lithuania. She encourages us to do the works God has prepared. She also talks about how she sees the Gospel in Lithuanian stubbornness, and how she and her team are making Jesus known in Vilnius. Tune in to this week’s episode of Humans of Agape.
In episode four of Humans of Agape, Joe Schlie in Paris, France joins our host, Jochen Geck. Joe coordinates all Agape activities in Paris, the “City of Light” and leads Agape Art. He reminds us to let our light shine. He also connects art, expression, vulnerability and the Christian life. Joe also explains what trust has to do with food and community. Tune in to this week’s episode of Humans of Agape.
In episode #3 of Humans of Agape, Matteo Chiarelli in Rome, Italy joins our host, Jochen Geck.
For the second episode of Humans of Agape, Dominik Schweiger in Munich, Germany joins our host, Jochen Geck.
On the first episode of Humans of Agape, Allison Doolittle, the Director of Communications of Agape Europe joins our host, Jochen Geck.
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