GEM-K is an acronym for Greater Europe Mission Missionary Kid. Essentially, if your parents are with Greater Europe Mission then you are a GEM-K. As Missionary Kids, GEM-Ks are part of a larger group known as Third-Culture Kids (TCKs). The definition of a TCK is:

“A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.”
(Source: Pollock & Van Reken, The Third Culture Kid Experience, p. 19)

Although GEM-Ks are of all ages (some infants, others in their 50s) this website focuses on GEM-K teens. There are approximately 50 GEM-K teens being served by GEM-K Ministries.

If you are still wondering, “Am I a GEM-K?” here are some other helpful hints:

You know you are an GEM-K when…

* You can’t answer the question, “Where are you from?”
* The country on your passport is a foreign country to you.
* You have a passport but no driver’s license.
* You flew before you could walk.
* You speak with authority on the quality of airline travel.
* You have friends from or in 29 different countries.
* The Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11 seemed normal to you.
* You know how disgusting and yet rather tasty black pudding is.
* You believe vehemently that football is played with a round spotted ball.
* The words Milka and Cadburys make you salivate.
* You think in grams, meters, and liters (but spelled metre and litre).
* You’ve spoken in dozens of churches, but no one knows your name.
* The majority of your friends don’t speak English as a first language.
* Roundabouts (enough said).

Camps and Conferences:
For GEM-Ks aged 13-19, GEM-K Ministries provides two annual gatherings.
1. GEM-K Conference co-incides with GEM Annual Conference. The retreat includes fun activities, times of worship, times of learning from God’s Word, as well as free-time to fellowship with other GEM-Ks.
2. Winter Camp provides a second opportunity for GEM-Ks to connect face-to-face during the year as well as grow in their relationship with Christ. Usually held the first week in January, camp locations vary but have included the French Alps as well as Ireland.
3. In addition to the two camps above, smaller gatherings are often run throughout the year, often for first-term GEM-Ks or while the GEM staff in a field may be running a strategic planning week or weekend away.

Discipleship in Relationship
The GEM-K Ministries staff have the privilege of getting to know teens located throughout Europe and its bordering countries. Through Facebook.com, phone calls, personal visits, podcasts, emails, etc. the staff seek to love, know and guide these teens into apprentices of Jesus Christ.

Personal Visits
Throughout the year GEM-K Teen Focus Staff will make plans to visit each GEM-K in Europe. These visits are designed to encourage the GEM-Ks throughout the year. GEM-Ks often take time to personally visit the GEM-K staff too!

MK/TCK Resources:
The GEM-K Teen Focus Staff want to make the latest in MK/TCK research, including books, seminars, websites and articles available to you. We are bringing our library together at our TCK Resources page.

Counseling:
GEM Member care has both the US and European staff and fascilities to provide both emergency and preventative care to GEM teens and families who may find themselves in need. Please contact Norm Tober with any questions you have.

SHARE Education Services:
GEM Member Care has continued involvement with SHARE to provide information regarding the educational needs of your children. Please write to sharenet@share-ed-services.org with any questions you have, whether it is readiness issues for your preschooler or college preparation issues for your high schooler. GEM has 7 staff serving with SHARE who are ready, willing and able to answer your questions or research any issues or resources for you.

Supervision of GEM staff at Christian schools:
GEM staff at Black Forest Academy and the International Christian School of Budapest serve many of our GEM-Ks. They are dedicated to helping your children grow to be young men and women of God.

A Family Database:
Maintenance of a family database so that GEM Member Care are able to serve you better and participate with other missions in studies that lead to better services for missionary families.

Please send the name, age, schooling option and grade, and email address for all GEM-Ks infant to age 23 to Jennifer Beckham at jenniferbeckham@adelphia.net.

GEM Nuggets & More:
For children ages 5-12, there is a quarterly newspaper called GEM Nuggets. Please contact Maria McKown if your child has not been receiving it. Our college students receive e-cards throughout the year and freshmen receive goodie packages put together by Jennifer Beckham. She also sends birthday greetings to all field MKs.

GEM-K Ministries is a sub division of GEM's Member Care Department specifically because the goal of both is to see members of GEM flourish in their work and life. While GEM Member Care focuses more on the mental health of its member and in providing quality educational guidance for children, GEM-K Ministries focuses on the spiritual development of teens and their transition into university.

Prior to an event occurring, the GEM-K staff will email out registration forms. These can be emailed back to us at the contact infomration below. If your child is turning 13 and would enjoy GEM-K Teen Focus events please email us their name, address, phone number, birthday and email address over at the contact page.

GEM-Ks connect in Facebook as would any friends. Usually after a camp or conference there are many new "friend" additions on GEM-K accounts. If you'd like to get more information on Facebook and how GEM-K Ministries uses it why not make your way over to the GEM-K Facebook page?