Fall is beautiful in the Rhein valley. The trees are changing and the days are much shorter and we are as busy as ever. God has given us some unique ministry opportunities lately. Let me tell you about them:
ALLEGRO
Allegro, the hand bell quartet from Calvary Church in Longmont, Colorado, where I served as Minister of Music in the 80’s was here from September 2-11. We are so thankful they came. God opened many doors greatly exceeding our expectations. They performed and gave their testimonies at various venues: an elementary school around the corner from us (see picture), the kindergarten next door, the hospital down the street and at our two previous church plants (Porz and Bergisch Gladbach) - on Saturday in the market square and on Sunday in the worship service. They also performed at two house concerts of members of those churches with about 50 neighbors attending both concerts. It was awesome! We were very thankful for a spirit of unity and faith in the group as we did some very “front-line” stuff. We made many new contacts for the kingdom and have already had a chance to visit on the street with some of the people we have gotten to know through this.
PROCHRISTMOBIL
The first week of ministry in “The smallest church in the World” is history. The Smart car was like a magnet. I have never experienced anything like it; being able to share my faith over and over again with total strangers. The enemy was not pleased and seemed to be trying to trip us up all week long. Although the response was largely positive, there were those who verbally attacked us. One day, at a very busy crossing, a religious fanatic from some kind of cult decided to preach right next to us, giving people the appearance that he was with us. I politely asked him to move up the street to no avail. It was very uncomfortable for us. Since it was almost lunchtime we decided that the best thing to do would be to simply leave. Another time I locked the key in the car. Oh weh! On another occasion a gust of wind blew the door of one of my teammates into the side of a luxury car parked next to him. One evening a group of protestors against Antisemetism decided to protest right in front of us. Their cause was good, but it totally distracted from what we were doing. All in all it was a great week but utterly exhausting. Please pray for the many people with whom we spoke that they would respond to the gospel seed that has been planted and for me as I am scheduled to drive from Oct. 10-16 in the Freiburg/Basel area.
CHURCH PLANTS
We can now give you the details of our 4th church planting project. I have been meeting with pastor Michael Hoering (see picture) of the evangelical Free Church in Cologne for several months now. He has been at that church for over 10 years and feels that God is leading him to move on. The beautiful thing is that he doesn’t want to just look for another church but rather to plant a daughter church and be it’s first pastor. It took some time to get his elders on board but now he has their full support and 2 of them even want to join him in this venture! The church has been informed and an information evening has been planned for late October. Please pray for Michael. After an initial positive response he has started to hear some of the first rumblings of opposition. But that is normal. Pray for perseverance, faith and lots of grace. Please continue to pray for the German-led church plants in Hennef, Monheim. Pray also for Cologne-in-Motion, the missionary led church plant. I will be meeting with them from 25-27 to do some strategic planning.
SPARK!
The church planting motivational seminar entitled SPARK! is coming along. Please continue to pray about funding for the equipment I will need to be able to take it into German churches: portable sound system, screen and projector (total needed is $8000). We have received a matching grant of $4000 and the first $1500 has come in. Perhaps you would like to help us with the final $2500 needed. Please let us know.
Gratefully,
Jason (and Sue)
