Our First “Missionary”!

Our First “Missionary”!

It has been said that the only constant in life is change.  That is never truer than when working in an International Church setting.  From the earliest days of our exposure to this unique and amazing ministry opportunity, we were told (warned?) of the most difficult part – saying “goodbye” to friends, brothers and sisters in Christ and partners in ministry with heart-breaking regularity. 

Carin

Students average 2-3 years at the local university.  Corporate workers tend to be on 3- to four- year assignments. As a result, the congregation of the church that reaches out to that community will tend to have regular and constant turnover.  A typical early conversation with a new Guest to the church includes questions like, “Where are you from?” and “How did you hear about us?” followed by, “How long will you be in the area?”  The most common answer to that question is “About three years.” 

Since those earliest days, we have been determined that we would not allow this “most difficult part” of the ministry to dominate us – instead, we need to use it to motivate us! There are some advantages to this reality.  We know from the outset that we have a limited time with these dear friends – so we don’t want to waste any of it!  We want to be deliberate in showing them the love of Christ; sharing the gospel with them; praying for and with them; encouraging and nurturing them and preparing them for the next assignment God has for them. 

Following the lead of our mentor and coach, Pastor Darryl Evetts, at Frontline Community in Ramstein, we have adapted the theme “Lose No One – Send Every One!”  Instead of seeing the departure of a member of our church community as a loss – we see it as an opportunity – in fact, it is the culmination of the mission of the church!  Jesus’ charge to the church was to “make disciples and send them out to the whole world!”

Though CIF is officially just 4 months old, we have already had the opportunity to send our first “missionary” into the world!  We first met Carin shortly after our arrival in Germany.  She had a life-transforming encounter with Jesus in November of 2011, and became a wonderful source of enthusiasm, encouragement and joy to our small groups and Genesis Team as we moved steadily toward launch.  Carin is from Beirut, Lebanon, and was working at Procter & Gamble in Germany.  Though she lived in the Frankfurt area, she drove down to Darmstadt multiple times each week to attend Life Group meetings, Genesis Team leadership meetings and eventually our worship services.  Many times she brought friends from Frankfurt, either from her workplace or from the young adult group at our sister church in Oberursel. 

Last autumn Carin felt the Lord was calling her to return to her homeland.  It was a huge step of faith.  It would mean leaving a promising and secure career with P&G, and moving back to Beirut.  Her friends from home were as confused as anyone.  Many of them were trying to leave Lebanon and come to Europe, but she was returning there?  Carin felt urgency and certainty in her call.  After she had made her decision, she “coincidentally” ran into an old friend from Lebanon that she had not seen since her teen years.  Her friend was also a follower of Jesus, and she, too had felt compelled to leave her job with Mercedes Benz in Stuttgart and move back to Beirut! It was an encouraging confirmation to her!

27 January, 2013 - Converge International Fellowship
Carin Haddad (front, 3rd from left) commissioned to
answer the call of God to Beirut, Lebanon.

We do not know what God is up to in Lebanon, but we are privileged to be part of it!  On Sunday, January 27, the people of Converge International gathered around Carin, laid hands on her and commissioned her to the work to which God had called her.  We are excited to watch and pray as she goes!  We encourage you to pray for her in her obedient walk with Christ to bring the gospel to the people of her homeland.  And pray for us as we prepare more missionary-disciples in the months and years ahead!