Have you ever been a part ...
of a kid’s sports team? Maybe as a coach, a parent, or a spectator? There’s always this one kid – you know the one that has great potential, but has not had any training. Initially his skill level is not equal to his desire, but he keeps showing up, putting in the work, and fighting to learn. You invest in him with your encouragement, training, and knowledge of the sport. Then, one glorious game, his moment comes and he scores. You and the entire crowd go wild, because all of you in various forms have been rooting for this kid’s development!
That’s kind of the way mentoring can be. Investing in those that want to learn and develop, and cheering them on along the way.
Three weeks ago Steffen and I (Nate) got to watch Tim have his moment...and score. Steffen has been mentoring him for the past several months in the areas of teaching and discipleship. As Tim stood before the church to teach his first sermon, you could feel the crowd growing with excitement as each minute of his 30-minute sermon passed. HE NAILED IT! It was amazing to see the joy on the faces of so many in our church who have been rooting for him.
While I did not work with mentoring/developing Tim directly, I have seen this same growth in both the small group leadership and praise and worship teams with whom I work. Conny (leader of our worship teams) has set forth a great vision for all involved in praise and worship. Part of that vision is the development and training of new worship leaders, two of whom led worship last week for the first time. THEY NAILED IT! They led with amazing heart and skill and the whole crowd cheered as they led us to the throne.
Both of these stories speak to the focus of one of mittendrin’s visions.
The Vision:
We would like to see mittendrin become a “training center” for future church planters. Our intent is to bring interns, who have finished their theological studies/training and have a heart for church planting in East Germany, to mittendrin for 1-2 years to receive hands-on training. They would have the chance to take their theoretical knowledge and practically apply it, while learning from the knowledge that mittendrin has gathered over the years about church planting in East Germany. After their year or so at mittendrin, they would then go out to plant a new church in one of the 10 largest cities in former East Germany.
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Tim teaching for the 1st time.
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New Worship Leaders leading at our new Babelsberg campus. (Nate on guitar)
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Why is Nate Stateside?
Steffen Weil, the pastor of our partner church mittendrin, and I will be stateside from March 29th thru April 12th. Our trip will start in Chicago visiting a partner church, followed by our attendance at the Gospel Coalition Conference in Indianapolis. We will spend time there learning and growing, as well as meeting with church leaders, to discuss Mittendrin’s 10 Church Plant Vision. Our Vision is to have one gospel-centered church plant in each of the 10 largest cities in Eastern Germany.
We have seen God raise up 4 of these churches and we are looking for Prayer and Financial Partners to help support the planting of the remaining 6. After the conference we will be traveling to both Nashville and Memphis for various meetings. We will be in Nashville from April 3rd to 8th and would enjoy seeing many of you, sharing our vision, and celebrating our partnership on April 7th. Details for the gathering are below.
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Nate and Steffen will be at Fellowship Bible Church on Sunday, April 7th playing worship and speaking at all 3 services. Following the 3rd service the church is hosting a 10-years celebration party. Please come say, "Hello" and get a hug.
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Please pray for ...
- Nate and Steffen to have safe travels.
- For the families and kids remaining in Germany.
- For new partner churches for prayer, encouragment, and financial support.
- For God to solidify Brittany's ministry as she has finished language school.
- For the Holy Spirit to be ever present as Counselor for our kids (Will, Emerson, and Sadie)
Will you pray with us for Tim? Please pray for God to keep growing his ability to teach and lead those around him to God’s Word. Pray for him to discern his calling and where he should take his gift next? Please pray for more interns to come, to be discipled, and to be sent out to plant a church.
Will you pray for our two new worship leaders? Please pray for them to keep leading us before the presence of the Savior. Please pray for them to keep growing and developing their style and depth of heart each Sunday.
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