Praying, Positioning, Preparing!
Colossians 1:10-11 (KJV) 0 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
UPC-GSN General Conference
With David K. Bernard speaking at our General Conference this year it was a highlight – teaching, preaching, and interaction with the General Board and ministers. With the theme, “Redeeming the Time,” there were a number of great messages from Brother Bernard, as well as ministry to the ladies, youth, hyphens, and men as well as an outstanding time of fellowship.
This was also a great chance for ministry department interaction, including Campus Ministry, Children’s Ministry, and Purpose Institute to take advantage of being together in Speyer.
Baptisms
Three years ago a German-Hispanic couple asked me to marry them. This was during COVID, and the couple decided to hold the wedding in the park where we had been holding services. To help set up, Fernando came beforehand on that hot summer day, driving from a neighboring city. He was not yet a believer but had an acquaintance with the couple.
Fernando then moved to Munich, and got back in touch with us, and we had a Bible study and interaction together. Meanwhile a young spanish-speaking couple with a non-affiliated oneness group moved to the area and picked up where we had left off. Shortly after, Fernando decicded to be baptized in Jesus’ name, so pastor Jhonathan asked if he could baptize him at our building, and I suggested we have a joint service – German and Spanish – and Fernando was baptized! One plants, one waters, God gives the increase!
Fernando being baptized by Pastor Jhonathan in FelsenHaus
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (KJV)
Prayer Walks
Boldness in Prayer
We have had several prayer walks locally and throughout Germany. In March we had a prayer walk in Paderborn, in conjunction with a German board meeting there. It was a great time in the spirit, walking with Sister Baker, the wife of Pastor Michael Baker, and seeing historical sites back to 776, where the first church was built there.
Recently, the Lord had reminded me and quickend me to look at Stuttgart. It is 2.5 hours from Munich, but we lived there 15 years ago. After a few incidents, including a recent flight being diverted to Stuttgart due to storms in Munich we went. We met up with Sis. Natasha and Sis. Dina to pray over the city from Birkenkopf, a large hill made 120ft higher by WWII building rubble.
UPC German Constitution
We have completed the first draft of the German Constitution and had the chance to review it with all of our licensed ministers during our recent business meeting in Fulda!
This is an important but tedious work for our General Board, but a worthy investment of our time.
Please pray that we make this the best it can be for a robust future in our field!
Youth: Call to Munich
E-Scooter ride through olympia park
After a service several months ago, I mentioned to Aron Stoico, the son of licensed minister Giovanni Stoico of the House of Hope, Fuerth, that we ought to get a youth event going, and that I would be willing to host it. Months went by, and we then quickly pulled together activities, invitations, and then a group of youth.
Bro. Aron did a great job in teaching, and leading a discussion round with the youth and some of the leaders present, to make the event a great start into the year. Particularly important was Call To Munich, as many youth will be going to European Youth Congress in Barcelona, Spain in the summer, and so we will not be holding youth camp as a result.
Bro. Aron Stoico leading discussion in combined session at Call to Munich.
Purpose Institute
PI is going strong in Munich and Berlin. We have just finished out our fourth semester of this cycle.
We also met with Bro Steve Schobert, PI Director of Administration, to discuss how we can best structure the campuses in the field. We had an excellent meeting with some great new ideas and it seems we have an excellent prospect for effectively training ministers in the future! We were able to have him preach in FelsenHaus, Munich, as he traveled with Bro. Paul Brochu.
Please Pray with Us
- Purpose Institute – new structure
- That visitors to FelsenHaus feel the power of God and feel drawn to walk with God
- FelsenHaus – fervor for prayer!
- Bible Study teachers
- German Policy Manual Development
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