July / August 2022
I like collecting stones from different places that our family has the opportunity to visit. I collect them because they tend to be witnesses to that place and time. They remind me of the people and experiences that have brought me to that moment. This past July, we had the opportunity to make such a trip to celebrate with some close friends, who were getting married. The setting was Lake Michigan. I’ve always wanted to visit the Great Lakes, and the grandeur of God’s creation was on display in a vivid way as I caught my first glance at this expansive body of water.
I was reminded of the friend getting married, who had decided to take two years of his life to serve in Berlin. How his time there, coincided with the arrival of our family. He probably didn’t know the role he played in those formative years as our family was trying to find our way in a new city, culture, and course of life. He probably didn’t know the stabilizing factor he was in helping us find firm ground so we could minister to others. He came to Berlin for other reasons, but he didn’t lose sight of what we are called to do, which is to simply help others flourish. I thought of the joyful time at hand and how this moment had been shaped by his willingness to be tumbled and tossed alongside us in rougher times.
As I walked down to the shoreline and picked up a couple of stones, the striking similarities and differences reminded me of why I collect stones. While the stones were different in size, color and type, their proximity to one another and the effect of the water had served the purpose of making them into similar shapes and textures. The constant friction of the stones tossing and tumbling into one another, due to the currents and tides of the body of water, was serving the purpose of making them like one another. Once jagged and rough, they were now smooth and taking on a similar shape.
These stones have become a picture to me of how we are to function in the body. As the life-giving water of God’s Word infiltrates our minds we are moved to interact with others. We rub shoulders with those around us and the result is that we are shaped into the same image.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son
Romans 8:29
So, whether we are being tossed in the swells of the storm or tumbled in the gentle lapping of the waves on a clear summer’s day, we are called to be near to one another so that we may together, be shaped into the image of Christ. May we grab hold of this purpose to help others know God and by God’s grace become more like Him.
Ministry Update
We are thankful for opportunities to draw near to others through different seasons. This summer we had the opportunity to be with many of our friends and family that we are away from the rest of the year. We were encouraged in so many ways during our time in the States. We were able to visit each of our supporting churches and we came away from each visit humbled that we have the opportunity to partner with God’s people in so many places, but for the same purpose.
Since returning to Berlin, we have been working to prepare for the coming fall season of ministry. We feel a strong call to help our community deepen fellowship together and a deep burden to reach our city with the good news. Our desire for the coming season is that in all of our gatherings and scatterings we would call others to worship the Living God. We plan to participate to this end through the proclamation of His Word, engaging in hospitality to show His love and deepening discipleship to encourage the church to be on mission.
We met with leaders in our church this past weekend for our leadership roundtable. We meet every quarter for the purpose of equipping, communicating, and worshipping together. We are thankful for all those drawing together to pursue the mission of the church in our city and for all those leading others in serving. We also see a tremendous opportunity to equip men for church leadership and our elders/potential elders met for our elder’s retreat earlier this week to talk through how we can pursue this aim, as we seek to make disciples and present Christ to our city.
Potsdam Church Plant
We are also stepping in this fall to provide more support to the church plant in Potsdam. Our proximity to this community gives us the opportunity to support the leadership team here as well as continue to serve our church in Berlin. I will provide support to the music ministry and preach when needed and the girls are participating wherever they can serve. Cherry and Jeannie are taking a greater role in providing a warmth of hospitality in both services that we feel is necessary as we move into what could be a cold winter here in Europe. This is in addition to hosting community groups, ministry to men, leadership roundtables and many other groups in our home, so please pray for them!
This Saturday we will begin meeting with the men again in our church. Last year we focused on a series called “Authentic Manhood”. We hope to continue with this theme as we move into the coming months. Please pray we will have a good regathering this weekend and a clear direction will develop in how we can meet the needs of the men in our church.
Regarding outreach opportunities, we are continuing work in the Ukrainian refugee accommodation we have worked in since February. I also was able to connect with a contact at the Red Cross, who has moved to a new refugee accommodation, and we plan to start a bi-monthly men’s gathering in October at this new facility. I am excited for the open door, especially because more than half of the residents here are Afghani. Over the past two years, God has given our family a love for Persian people groups, and we are praying this will be a great opportunity to reach Persians.
Family Update
Our time away this summer was such a regenerating time for our family. We were very tired from a long year of ministry and so many poured into us during this time. My parents, in particular, ministered to us in so many ways. They constantly served us and made it a special summer for Quinn & Gracie. By far the hardest part of living in a foreign land is being away from those you love, so we are thankful for the memories made this summer with so many. Here are a few pictures that represent so many memories from our time with family and friends!
The girls started school two weeks ago. We are thankful they both have great teachers. This year many of their classes have switched from English to German, so while this will challenge them in new ways, we look forward to it being a good year of progress. As always, we ask prayer for good friendships and that as they encounter the challenges of a secular education system in one of the most liberal cities in the world, they will hold fast to God’s Word and not be swayed by the culture around them.
Finally, thank you for continuing to stand with us. We continue to be overwhelmed by your generosity. So many of you give us reason to rejoice and we pray that the Lord would continue to make His face shine upon you, to be gracious to you; and to give you peace!
Prayer Update
Our Church Retreat will take place September 16-18th. Please pray for those who will attend.
Discernment in where we should spend our time in outreach opportunities for this fall.
The girls as they engage a difficult culture in their school and for us as we seek to intentionally disciple them.
That the leaders in our church will lead from a non-anxious presence in all the uncertainty in Europe as we look into the season ahead.