Michael and Maria Long serve through a unique and strategic ministry responding to the global immigration and refugee crisis. They lead the Free Methodist Church of Thessaloniki, Anagenesis (“New Birth”), a multicultural and multilingual congregation that uses English as its shared language. For many attendees from non‑Christian backgrounds, Anagenesis is the first church they have ever visited. While some come to faith in Jesus, all leave with a positive experience of Christianity and the church.

The Longs’ ministry includes outreach to community centers, aid distribution in refugee camps, language classes, weekly Bible studies in Farsi, and ongoing relationship‑based evangelism. As most refugees eventually relocate to other European countries, Michael and Maria continue to disciple and support contacts through Zoom and partnerships with two Iranian churches in England.