1/ Dino Roussos, long-time preacher in Athens, in 1994, proposed a school in Athens. From the earlier years of the work in Athens a school was desired to raise up a generation of well trained Greek preachers.

2/ Sunset became convinced that a preacher training school should be placed in such a strategic, gateway city of the world, reaching out to Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

3/ Through survey work done by Nat Cooper, Terry Harrison and Steve Stamatis a plan was formed to begin the work in 1997.

4/ Truman Scott was assigned the leadership of the effort and enlisted
Steve Stamatis and Gerald Paden to assist in securing funding.

5/ Dino Roussos, visiting in the States in late 1996, recruited Shawn Moore to go to Athens. Truitt Adair and Truman Scott interviewed Moore and invited him and Peggy to join the effort.

6/ Shawn Moore raised his support and was sent to Athens in September 1997 as Dean and lone instructor, accompanied by Sammy Flanary.

7/ Truman Scott went to Athens in the Fall to formally open the school and confirm the ministry training partnership with Dino Roussos and Alex Merillytos, the Greek Ministry Team.

8/ Shawn Moore, for two years, worked diligently in curriculum development, writing materials, recruiting students and in teaching. He developed a strong rapport with the students. Despite some obstacles Shawn left the school well organized and progressing.

9/ Sammy Flanary begin devoting more of his time as the Athen’s Mission Coordinator to solidify the school with scholarships and operational funding.

10/ To replace the Shawn Moores the Monahans, TX church leadership, took the initiative to fully support two men. Jim and Nell Stamatis and Steve and Deborah Stamatis were recruited. In the interim Sammy Flanary returned to conduct congregational studies at the request of the Greek preachers with whom he had developed a strong rapport.

11/ The school was continued at Omonia as the Monahans leadership proposed. It was felt that the maturity and experience of Jim Stamatis would provide strong leadership in further developing the school.

12/ As anticipated the school flourished and relations were good. Plans were being considered for Extension School expansion to Cairo and Beruit. Both Sammy and Mary Flanary and, later, Truman and Ferne Scott visited Francis and Ivon Habashy in Cairo to survey the possibilities of an extension work.
13/ Truman Scott visited with Jim and Mary Ogburn in Raleigh, NC, resulting in establishing The Jim Ogburn Arabic Student Fund at SIBI with an initial gift and SIBI was included as beneficiaries in the Ogburn Estate.

14/ In time problems over space issues, ministry models and personality conflicts required several visits to the field by Greg Holly of Monahans and Doug Reeves of SIBI and an eventual decision to relocate the school to another location more suitable for the developing school, in view of future purchase or leasing an all-school facility.

15/ The first fruits of the five year effort came with the graduation of four men who had finished the full curriculum in the evening school and weekend arrangement. As desired they have returned to work with the church in their native countries of Albania, Romania and Nigeria. Truitt Adair and Sammy Flanary represented Sunset in Athens for the graduation.

16/ With the Stateside return of the Steve Stamatis’ a rebuilding of the faculty was launched in 2003.

17/ A vision of reaching into the Arabic speaking world from Athens began bringing together new resources of men, sponsoring churches and financial resources. Brooks Avenue church in Raleigh, NC is sending Francis Habashy from his work in Cairo to launch a work among the Arabic speaking refugees to develop a core of students for training in the school. The plan is to multiply the Arabic speaking preachers in the Middle East.

18/ A team of teachers, beginning with Darrell and Robin Wallace, are being recruited to go to Athens as instructors in 2004.

19/ Despite the obstacles of obtaining visas and securing funding in Athens it is felt that the efforts have made a significant contribution to multiplying able proclaimers of the Word, strengthening the faith of many and contributing to the growth of the Omonia and Evrou Greek churches in Athens. Being one of the first international schools begun by SIBI Athens has provided invaluable growth experience in learning better how to recruit workers, organize a school and deal with conflict.

Acropolis

Doug Reeves with Ivan

Athens Students

Athens Students