Acknowledgements
This is an edited version of my doctoral dissertation, “Christian Faith and Practice Amongst Migrant Christians in Athens, Greece,” which was accepted by the London School of Theology in 2018. I must first thank the participants of this study. I cannot name you here, but you know who you are. Thank you for caring for me, and that you delighted in sharing not only your gospel ministry, but your lives as well.
I am grateful to my supervisor, Mark Beaumont, for his example as a scholar and his commitment to me as a researcher and writer. I wanted an advisor who would not just grade my paper, but shape me as well, and you have done so. Thank you also to Jeremy Perigo for your helpful feedback and shared meals discussing a variety of topics. Thank you to Katherine Todd for helping with proofreading this document and helping me become a better writer. My thanks also go to Kirsteen Kim, Stephen B. Bevans, and Miikka Ruokanen for including this study in the Theology and Mission in World Christianity Series. Special thanks also to Ingrid Heijckers-Velt for guiding this work to publication.
Many have been supportive of this project in various ways. The board of Training Leaders International, led by our Board Chairman Mr. Mark Stone, supported this project and allowed me the flexibility to travel and do fieldwork. I am thankful to all of you. To the ever-growing staff of Training Leaders International, thank you for putting up with my long absences and cheering me on to the finish line. I am grateful to serve alongside you all. A special thanks to Mr. Duane Tweeten, Mr. Joe Norman, and Dr. Howard Foreman, who led TLI in my absence. Thank you for letting me come back. My parents, Captain David USN (Ret.) and Marlene Carlson provided support. Thank you to Amanda Paulson for coming with our family to Athens—you will always have a special place in our hearts.
Lastly, I dedicate this to my dear wife, Amy, whom I love. She has supported me in countless ways since we have been married—in day-to-day life, through school, in ministry-related jobs, during my extended international travel, in parenting and teaching our children, and now through a PhD where I took her and our five children to live in Athens so I could do field research. To Makena, Gianna, Dakota, Josiah, and Sierra—rise up and bless her. She has excelled them all.