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| Dutch Church of God |
In May 2010, I (Daniel) got to travel to Berlin, Germany, as part of a class at the Anderson University School of Theology studying Urban Ministries in an international setting. That brought me into relationship with Rhonda & Kelley Philips. It was here in Berlin that God got my attention and helped me realize that Christy and I are called to serve as missionaries.
Fast forward to 2014. I type this sitting in Berlin. This time, I am here with Christy and Sofie to help host and lead that SOT class! We have had the joy of spending most of May here living in community with the Philips and the students from Anderson.
One main objective of this class is to see first-hand the difficulties and complexities of doing ministry in an urban area, especially one as deeply post-Christian as Berlin! This is compounded by the depth of history and culture that exudes from every inch of space here.
Also, the students are learning how to exegete the culture, which is a vitally important task of ministry. Before we can effectively serve anyone anywhere, we must understand their DNA. Who are they really? How have they been shaped? What has their life been like? This group has been made up of: Jose Otero, a Cuban-American SOT student; Danette Beisley, former missionary to New Zealand; Ryan Hodges, future missionary to Kenya, Kameron Robinson, an artist and ministry student, as well as Jim & MaryAnn Hawkins.
Processing our experiences together in light of past ministry experiences and ministry preparation has been very interesting! We each have a different lens through which we see things, and learning together has been invaluable for us all, students and leaders.
One important ministry take-away is the importance in truly studying your people, your history, your culture and your community. Understanding is key to effectively relate and minister, especially in the 21st Century world.It is humbling to help guide SOT students the way I was guided several years ago. It will be incredible to watch where God takes these students and how the Lord uses this experience to shape their future! Hosting this unique class is one of the many ways Three Worlds is, even now, connected with and serving the Church of God in North America.
Prayer Requests
- FINAL Support to come in to get Zach and Audrey Langford to the UK !!
- The upcoming Warner Paciļ¬c Urban Ministry class in Berlin in June;
- For traveling mercies for our Three Worlds teammates going to NAC or Home Assignment in the US;
- For Health, Comfort & Healing for Uschi Bais (wife of National Leader);
- For us to continue connecting and building relationships with the Dutch Church;
- For wisdom for the Kerkrade Church;
- For the Weiger Family as they begin preparation for missionary service;
- For NAC in OKC; #BeBold
