First Preview Service Weekend

The first "Preview Weekend" of Converge International Fellowship of Darmstadt was held on Saturday and Sunday, 21 -22 April.  The weekend activities kicked off with a prayer walk through the city.  We had 8 teams of 2-3 people each that spread out in all directions from the city center.  As we gathered in a parking lot, a cool rain was falling, and it was a dreary day.  Some friends from our sister church in Ramstein came over, and they drove through rain the entire trip to Darmstadt.  We were not going to let a little rain stop us from praying for the city, however!

Marienplatz

The lot where we gathered is the site of the old Royal Cavalry barracks and stables for the city.  Long ago destroyed, the lot is now a bit of an eyesore, but at one time precision mounted military teams marched on the parade grounds there, and prepared for battle.  As we gathered to pray before setting out, I thought of the battle we were entering - a spiritual battle with powerful enemy forces who would do anything to stop us from reaching this city with the love of God and the gospel of Christ.

We prayed - we thanked the Lord for the opportunity - even if it meant marching in the rain - we did so to pray over this city and call upon the Lord of Heaven to bring His glorious light to this spiritually dark region.

We split up into teams, and headed out - by the time my partner, Eric and I had reached the second block, the rain had stopped, and within a few more blocks, the sun broke through the clouds and was warm, encouraging and energizing as we prayed. 

Stolpersteine - "Stumbling blocks"

One of the first things Eric and I did was stop at a particular spot not far from our apartment.  It was a brass marker on the sidewalk.  The markers are common all over Darmstadt.  On gleaming brass markers called Stolpersteine (“Stumbling Blocks”) memorialize the places where Holocaust victims last lived.They are markers that indicate the the location of the home of a Jewish person who was arrested and sent to a concentration camp.  We confessed the sins of this city from the past.  We confessed that it is still a city filled with sinful, needy people whom the god of this age has blinded, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)  We asked for God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," to make his light shine in their hearts to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  Will you join us in that prayer?

As we walked, we looked for prompts for prayer.  University dormitories, fire and police vehicles, children in a park, and an impressive, grand. old bank building.   As we walked, other teams did the same praying over schools, churches, neighborhoods, hospitals and anything else that the Holy Spirit used to impress a need.

Russian Orthodox Church - Darmstadt

After about two hours, most everyone made their way back to our flat for some sandwiches, beverages and cookies that Carol had made up for the group.  We talked and enjoyed each others' company for a long time into the evening.

Sunday morning found Eric and I headed to the Evangelisch-Freikichlichen Gemeinde (EFG) - the Baptist Church that has opened their doors to us for our meetings.  We attended the service and then spent some time with the Tech crew learning the ins and outs of the sound and projection systems.  It is a beautiful, modern facility, with an airy, open worship hall, full dining room and kitchen, and ample children's areas.

Preview Service

At 4:30 we began to gather at the building.  Everyone immediately started working on their areas of ministry - Tech crew, praise team, refreshments, child care, ushers, greeters, Communion set up all got busy.  The praise team began to warm up and practice.  Six o'clock came really quickly, but we started on time, and the Lord was SO good! (no surprise there - He's ALWAYS GOOD!)

"Vessels of Clay"

We had 38 people in attendance, with friends from our sister churches in Ramstein and Oberursel.  It was a really great evening. 

It went well - it accomplished all we had hoped.  We worshiped (our #1 goal).  The primary reason for the church, after all, is to glorify God.  We want to bring Him the honor He is due, and give Him our very best.  If He is glorified, and if His people worship Him in spirit and in truth, then the rest is just details!

Fellowship Time

There were things that we learned for the future, (which is our number 2 goal), , we got to use the building for the first time, we got to use their sound and projection system for the first time, we worked through things like childcare, greeting, refreshments, praise team, welcome and announcements, sermon, offering and communion...then we spent about 30 minutes after the service having a great tome of fellowship in the Foyer. 

Great friends, great food.

The next Preview Service is scheduled for 6 May, at 18:00.  Please be praying for us as we continue these service monthly through the summer - and culminate with our "Public Launch" in September, Lord willing!

One final request.  Tomorrow (Wednesday, 25 April,), I will be going to a ear nose and throat specialist to have a biopsy done on a spot on my tongue.  The General Practitioner that I saw on Monday said that it did not look serious, but "we must be careful with these things," so I am going to have the biopsy done tomorrow.  Please pray with us about this situation.  Thanks!

God bless you!

~ Bob

April Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in this Resurrection Week 2012!  He is Risen!  Hallelujah!

 

Germany, like much of the world, experienced “the year without winter.”  We had only one day with measureable snow in Darmstadt, and while there were two weeks in March that were “cold,” it was not really too bad at all – it never got below zero degrees Fahrenheit, which is how we measure cold in Wisconsin!  For many of us it was an incredibly mild winter – but it’s still great to see Spring arrive!

All around our city, there are reminders of resurrected life.  It is our first spring here – so bear with us as we gush a little.  All around the city, wild flowers have begun to pop up.  It began weeks ago, in early March, with crocus plants blooming in purple, white and yellow.  In more recent weeks, voluntary tulips have shot up next to the now-fading crocuses.  Those flowers, together with the flowering trees, shrubs and quickly greening grass, remind us of the renewal of life in Spring – and they serve as a reminder of new life in Christ.

Think about it.  On the night before He was betrayed, rejected and crucified, one of the chief thoughts on Jesus’ mind was that His disciples would forget.   He established the Lord’s Supper – Communion – Eucharist – as a reminder of His death.  He knew (of course) that as human beings, we would have a tendency to forget.  He knew that the hectic pace of life would distract us.  He knew that our memories are short – “What have you done for me lately?”  He knew that the enemy of our soul would do all he could to cause us to forget – like eggs, rabbits and chocolate.  So He established reminders…broken bread, poured out wine.  Let’s add another reminder – new life.  When you see a blossom this season, let it trigger within you a response of worship – to marvel at the new life we have in Chirst. “And you has he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins…” (Eph 2:1)

Converge International Fellowship - March, 2012

In this Spring, 2012, we continue to witness the emerging new life of Converge International Fellowship in Darmstadt.  Our LIFE Groups continue, and were highlighted by two combined meetings where we all gathered together for Bible study, prayer, worship and fellowship – it looked a lot like church!  We’ve seen more folks join the groups, and have added a tenth nation to our roster – welcome, Lebanon!  One of the highlights of one study was the reading of one verse from our Bible text in 5 languages - English, German, Korean, Romanian and Spanish.  In John 8:12. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  How wonderful it was to hear that bold claim of Jesus read in 5 different languages of the world that He loves and came to save!

We’ve had some really great times of fellowship over the past few weeks.  Several of the women of the church organized a “Ladies Night” at our flat.  A group of the men got together at a cook out that one of the guys had previously scheduled with some of his neighbors and co-workers.  A good time to connect with each other and meet some new people. 

The Kyle Tromanhauser Family in Pompeii

The last part of March was highlighted by International Baptist Convention meetings in Sorrento, Italy.  Because the distances are so great, we tend to “bundle” our meetings, so we had a meeting of the Church Planting Ministry Team, LEAD Teams from around the world, and the IBC Leadership Conference.  It was a great period of connecting with old friends from around the globe – especially our dear friends Glenn and Susan Herschberger, who were partners with us in reaching Wisconsin, and are now serving in Panama City, Panama.  We also met some new friends, Kyle and Matilda Tromanhauser, and their two sons (at right), who are answering the call of God to plant a church in Munich.  It turns out that we were students at St. Paul Bible College with Kyle back in the 80’s!  We had a great time meeting and getting to know them.  Pray for the Tromanhauser family as they move forward in the process of coming to Germany to plant an International Church.

EFG Darmstadt

Our first “Preview Service” is scheduled for April 22.  Preview Services are times for us to gather for worship and have some “trial runs” as a group before our public launch as a church.  We will have several of these services through the summer.  We will be meeting at the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Gemeinde Baptisten – the local German Baptist Church that is just a few blocks from our flat.  It is a beautiful facility and the leaders have been very welcoming and encouraging.  We are excited as we move to this next phase.  Please join us for a week of concentrated fasting and prayer in the week prior to that service – more details will follow as the date draws close! 

Thanks for your prayers and financial support!  Our work here is impossible without your partnership!