Feature
Feature
“There is tremendous opportunity. We returned to Greece in 2004, which we now realize was just the beginning … we are now in the epicenter of the financial tsunami— in the eye of the storm …” commerce in the United States to teach best U.S. business practices to people in Greece —particularly practices steeped in biblical principles. They help Greek businesses persist in becoming more intentional, more in tune with the needs of their customers. And the Institute helps business owners develop better marketing and financial plans, adopt better human resource plans and hiring practices, and develop strategic plans through educational seminars. Ignatios is currently working with Malone School of Business & Leadership professors Jack Harris, Dennis Kincaid, Julia Frankland, and Tom Kratzer to connect them with City College in Thessaloniki to offer courses in both places, exchange syllabi, and coordinate visits. “There is an increasing vacuum in leadership—that’s part of what got us to this point in Greece,” he says. “Our Institute offered seminars that the newspaper in Katerini covered. They made the headlines by saying things like—‘Everything I have belongs to God, and I am accountable’—and ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ When I asked the news editor why those phrases made the headlines, she
said it was because ‘our area is so thirsty for a spirit such as this.’” In late March, Ignatios was awarded the prestigious 2012 Bridgebuilder Award for all of Europe by the Fellowship of European Broadcasters. He hopes that he can do just that—build bridges between international communities to help his homeland as the Greek crisis becomes more and more serious. “There is tremendous opportunity,” Ignatios says. “We returned to Greece in 2004, which we now realize was just the beginning … we are now in the epicenter of the financial tsunami —in the eye of the storm even now—and God is showing us what He wants from us. Our relationship with God is dynamic—not static—and He takes our lives and sometimes allows us to be in circumstances where we are thrown into completely uncharted waters. He does this to make Himself better known to us. He does the work that needs to be done in us to help us grow in our knowledge of Him—and at the same time, we can turn around and see Him doing incredible work and service to others.”
ADVANCING EDUCATION. Ignatios trains leaders and helps business owners develop successful, proven business practices.
{12} Malone Magazine | Spring 2012
Malone Magazine | Spring 2012 {13}