The soul-stirring awe and wonder of serving in the cradle of civilization was not lost on President John Ludwig of the Greece Athens Mission.

"We felt as if we had the support of the Apostle Paul," President Ludwig said, "as if we were following up his work."

"It was quite an experience to serve there," said President Ludwig, who was released in July after having served since July 2003.

President Ludwig made it a practice to acquaint new missionaries with the rich history and personality of Greece by visiting with them on Mars Hill where it was pointed out that here the Apostle Paul preached his great sermon of the unknown God (Acts 17) to the scholars of the day — and was rejected for his testimony.

Then, when missionaries had completed their missions, President Ludwig invited them to Mars Hill for a final visit. On the rocks at the base of a hill with the ancient Acropolis in the background, they shared their testimonies, leaving a witness forged in the challenge of testifying to a people deeply proud of a heritage that stems thousands of years B.C.

President Ludwig recalls one occasion when missionaries were gathered on Mars Hill for a testimony meeting. A man named Dimitrious in his 50s who took daily walks around the Hill felt a desire to climb the stairs. He'd never climbed before because of the strenuousness, but on this occasion, he felt a strong impression to ascend.

Climbing the stairs he noticed the missionaries and heard their testimonies. He desired to learn more and was baptized only weeks later.

The Church is progressing at a much more measured pace. Success, said President Ludwig, is measured by working hard, not by the number of lessons given.

Two qualities characterize missionaries in the mission, said President Ludwig. "Trust and obedience," qualities, he said, that are requisite to serving as far away as 1,200 miles from mission headquarters.

Opportunities to teach are not frequent, said President Ludwig. Missionaries might go days without the chance to share the gospel.

Yet, missionaries responded with love, he said. "It was a sweet experience to teach, going into their humble homes to feel the Spirit."

Despite the warm sun and the azure blue waters and the tasty vine-ripened tomatoes in salads with feta cheese and olive oil, "It can be discouraging," he said.

Of the 100 missionaries in the mission, many of whom are European, 76 participated as volunteers in the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Greece. "The Greeks are very proud of their Olympics," he said.

Missionaries dressed in volunteer attire garnered much distinction. "Numerous times," said President Ludwig, "people recognized a difference between our missionaries and other volunteers, like the event manager in the basketball arena. He had no idea who the eight elders were, but he said he felt something different about these young men, something different in their countenance, from the others."

Following the Olympics, the mission hosted a fireside during which 40 Greek volunteers joined the missionary volunteers to learn about the Church.

"I know they could feel something special," President Ludwig said.

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