TTZ. The new semester in our theological training institute is off to a great start. We started this semester a new chapter in our church in Neumarkt. I have 16 participants, 12 of them are from Neumarkt; 1 from Nuremberg; 2 from the neighboring church in Oberfrauendorf and 1 from Vienna. God is doing a great work and it is so much fun to teach these eager students. As a board me met last week and realized that we will be graduating 3 more students next May. God is raising up qualified teachers in our churches. Thank you for your prayers!
Family picture. We took a new family picture recently (before the weather got cold). You can download it below and use as a new family picture for your missionary board or fridge. God has blessed us with 8 wonderful kids!
Youth Retreat. Last weekend I took 8 teens to a youth retreat from our church. It was such a joy to get together with 70+ other teens from our churches and focus upon the Word together. Many of the teens are still trying to implement the lessons learned from Camp and were reminded that we need to be aware of who is influencing us. We need to let God and His Word influence us. We need the fellowship of believers to help us keep up the good fight and not to fall into worldly ideas. Please pray for the teens here in Germany.
Men’s Retreat. Next weekend (October 28), our church is hosting the annual men’s retreat. The topic is, Meditate… a lost art? We have about 80 men coming. Please pray for the final preparations and for our church to have a heart to serve the other churches. Pray for the 3 workshops where we will make the idea of meditation upon God and His word practical in the area of work, family, and free time. I am excited about the opportunity to challenge our thinking to meditate biblically.
Evangelism. November 1st is a holiday here in Bavaria (all saints day). Many people go to the grave of loved ones and pray there. We desire this year to stand at the entrances of the graveyards and hand out evangelistic calendars. In other towns this is very well received. Please pray for our preparations and for open hearts to receive these calendars. Please pray for active involvement from our church people to be involved in this endeavor.
Visitors. Since our 5-year celebration, we have 2 families visiting regularly. One mom and 2 teenage kids are attending. The youngest teen is in Joshua’s school in the same grade couple of classrooms over. It has been such an encouragement for Joshua to have a fellow guy-believer to interact with at school. The other family has 2 small kids and have left the charismatic movement. The father is struggling with what Scripture says and how it has been interpreted by the charismatics. Please pray for God to show both these families where their place is.
God is working and we are thankful for His daily strength. We are reminded to be worshippers and not complainers. To focus upon who God is, and how He is working in spite of difficult circumstances. We know you are praying and are so thankful for your prayers. We need them and we covet them.
