Subscribe
Aug
12
Needing a New Name
Filed Under Mike's Thoughts | 1 Comment
Last summer we relocated to Berlin from Leipzig. While I am still involved in ministry in Leipzig, the scope of our ministry is now larger. ‘LionInLeipzig’ no longer quite captures what we are doing (although I still like the name). With Berlin being the a new addition to our scope, I am searching for some ideas related to Berlin. ‘BearInBerlin’ does not quite have the same spiritual undertones. ;-) Can you help??
Please send me any ideas you might have using ‘Berlin’ in the title. OR if you have something that captures the eastern Germany focus, that would be cool as well. Ideas?
Mar
8
Basketball in Budapest
Filed Under Mike's Thoughts | Leave a Comment
Last weekend, we drove down to Budapest (a 9-hour drive) to attend Jonathan, my youngest son’s, basketball tournament. It was a lot of fun to see Jon in his native surroundings at the International Christian School of Budapest. It was also fun to see Debby and Kimberly getting excited about basketball. Kimberly sat in the student section and had a blast. Our enthusiasm was helped along by the fact that Jonathan is in the starting lineup in his senior year of high school.
While I was in Budapest I had the opportunity to spend some time with Rick B and Todd H to discuss a few ministry issues. That was helpful, as always. Todd and Rick recently returned from Albania, where they visited many ministry leaders. Since this was a place I was once actively involved, during my Fellowship Church years, it was very encouraging to hear an update. The many churches that were started several years ago are still in existence, with a vision to reproduce. That is a special answer to many prayers. Many of these leaders will be attending a special church planting training conference hosted by ReachGlobal Europe in October 2008.
Feb
21
I recently returned from Prague, Czech Republic, where I attended ReachGlobal leadership meetings from February 5th through February 17th. You might wonder why so long, here is a brief summary of what we did:
February 5th-10th was spent with the Europe Area Leaders
• We spent time in prayer, worship, and in the Word at the beginning of each day
• We shared about our families and ministries
• We spent some time with national believers in Prague and were able to see local churches and local ministry
• We did sightseeing of the city—quite a place!
• We discussed Hesselgrave’s missions book Paradigms in Conflict
• We discussed and firmed up plans/action points for the following:
1. Missionary sustainability/health (James)
2. Prayer (Mike Edwards)
3. Expansion (Todd)
4. Missional agenda (Don)
5. Recruiting/staffing (Dale Phillips/Mike Davis)
6. Fundraising/support team building/resourcing (Mike Davis)
• We planned for City Team Leader Forum and Church Planting Training Institute (October 2008)
February 10th-14th was spent with the Europe Area Leaders and the Europe Area Office support staff
• We started each day in prayer, worship, and time in the Word
• We heard reports/sharing from all present
• We presented our plans/action points to the Area Office staff
• We did a photo scavenger hunt in downtown Prague after an evening meal —great fun!
• We discussed the following:
1. Crisis management (John Westrum)
2. Where are we missing the mark in Europe? (Ben Beckner)
3. Leadership- “Know-be-do” (Don Reynard)
4. Europe finances (Jill Hall)
5. Personal and team health (Gary & Sandy Wittevrongel)
6. Church based training (Todd Hiltibran)
7. Communicating with our Europe missionaries (Robyn Smith)
8. A view from Cal Swan (EFCA District Superintendent)
February 15-16 was spent with the Area Leaders and Gary Hunter, Associate Executive Director of ReachGlobal.
• We had times of sharing and prayer
• We discussed multiplication, personnel, expansion, Europe area events
February 17, I traveled back to Berlin.
PHOTOS of the trip.
Nov
7
American Church in Berlin
Filed Under Mike's Thoughts | Leave a Comment
I know, with today’s global anti-American sentiment, this is not a good name for a church. BUT this is a special church in the heart of Berlin. Founded in 1865, in a different world than we live in, the American Church in Berlin is an ecumenical church that welcomes a wide diversity of people. Five years ago the church relocated from the edges of Berlin back to its original roots in the center of the city. It lies on the edge of Kruezburg, which is the location of a large number of immigrant Turkish and Kurdish people. It has many ministries that serve the needs of marginalized people in the community. Personally, I am greatly impressed by their spirit of love and volunteerism.
Debby, Kimberly and I visited the church recently. The church has historical roots in the Lutheran tradition, so the order of service reflects that history. We found a very friendly and caring community of people, easily felt and seen in what they do. Later I met one-to-one with the pastor of the church. The story of the church clearly displays people that extend the love of Christ into the community. The church is a testimony to love-in-action, a good testimony against the vast needs within the city. I look forward to opportunities to work alongside this wonderful ministry in Berlin.
Oct
9
CrossWay Church, Berlin
Filed Under Mike's Thoughts | Leave a Comment
How does one understand how to develop a ministry in a new city? That is a pressing question for me these days related to Berlin. One thing that God presses into me is to seek a season of ‘listening and learning’ BEFORE acting. One aspect of this is to visit many healthy churches in our city.
On Sunday, we attended CrossWay Church in the Zehlendorf area. (We are also looking for a church home.) This church meets in the former U.S. Army chapel (located in the former American sector of Berlin). The CrossWay Church is an international, English-speaking Baptist church. It is led by a team from the U.S. that has been together for about four years. We found encouragement in the friendly nature of the church and could quickly see the Spirit of the Lord at work. Please pray for fruit for this growing church in Berlin.
Recent Readings
| Join Our eUpdate List |
