"If this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown..." Acts 5:38b
Dear Friends,
Beijing 2008 had the longest Olympic torch relay in history with more cities visited than in any past games! Whether we believe it or not, we are the continuation of a 2000 year "torch-bearing marathon" of Christ followers. We are carrying truth taken from a small group of men called "The Way". Nearly 50 generations back, the wise, unbelieving Pharisee Gamaliel said, "If this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may be found fighting against God." (Acts 5:38b-39). To be a torch-bearer is a special honor. The first "runners" paid a big price, but their reaction was, "they went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41)
Light Through Language: E - Camps 2008
this summer the BEG, together with several other organizations hosted five English camps. These are great opportunities for parents to send their kids to improve their English speaking skills. Unsaved young people are immersed into an American world where they experience games, foods and slang, including chapel! This year at the camp in Routte, Tirol, our theme was "Route 66", where I was able to challenge young people to take the "highway" with God! On the second night, fifteen young people responded to the prayer to trust Christ as Savior. After the counselors had a chance to talk with the kids individually, we found that five were first time decisions, and the others were wanting to have assurance. Fabienne is a girl who lives in a foster home, and after the first night at camp she told her counselor that she is angry with God. She resisted the message of salvation. Three days later, while out walking with her counselor, she repented of her anger and chose to accept Christ! Tanja, another young camper, resisted the Gospel message until the last night, when she prayed to receive Christ with her counselor! It is just great to see kids come to Jesus at camp as young teens, then choose to return each year, and desire to follow Him as seventeen and eighteen year old! Many of them do not have a Gospel preaching church in their home towns, and no youth groups. As a result, the camp tries to keep in touch with them by email, and by handing out a phone list before they leave.
A Beacon of Light in Innsbruck
While in Austria, I was able to visit our Titus co-workers, Daniel and Julie Kistenich in their church in Innsbruck. It is a clever idea...; several churches joined together to build a secular conference center called the Novum. They rent the facilities at different times to have their church services. The secular setting makes it a smaller "hurdle" for non-believers to enter the building.
European Soccer Cup in Austria and Switzerland
At Euro 2008, the only Austrian City to get a permit for public events right on the "Fan Meile" (the main gathering area for all the soccer fans in the city), was in Innsbruck. Daniel and Julie hosted 20 people from the USA who came to work with Austrians. They had a truck with a stage for concerts, a 10x14 ft. screen to show the games, street soccer tournaments, a kids "play land", a climbing tower and lots of great conversation about Jesus. They found that there was great openness among those under age 25. Four young people mad a decision to trust Christ during that time.
Representing Nationals
We realize that due to the economy, many churches are struggling to maintain their current budgets. Due to temporary supplemental income while serving part-time in our local church, I am able to divert some support finance to projects for nationals. However, they do still need our prayers and encouragement, so I have included a prayer sheet for some of the nationals to represent. If you have a Sunday school class, or the desire to "adopt" one or more for these nationals, please contact me as we would like to develop more significant partnerships with these nationals.
Prayer Corner
- For those who were saved at camp and Euro 2008 this summer to grow in their faith
- For Daniel and Julie Kistenich in their ministry in Innsbruck
- Robert and Hannah Wascher - Hannah is currently suffering from a depression
- Praise! Shelby's Wolff-Parkinson-White has been corrected by a successful ablation. PTL!
- Pray for the fall church retreat in Graz, Austria. Jen and I will be there to speak and encourage friends
NATIONALS SERVING IN AUSTRIA
Daniel and Julie Kistinich
Preacher, discipler, and M-Dvi from Moody, Daniel is a gifted pastor in the Baptist Church in Innsbruck. Julie, from Minnesota, does the administrative tasks for the church, mentoring, children's and women's ministries. See more at www.austrianadventure.com
Robert and Hanna Wascher
As an exceptional Austrian home group evangelists, Robert pastors the church in Wolfsbert. He is a graduate of Columbia Int'l University (Korntal, Germany), with an M.A. in Theology. His wife, Hanna, works in the music ministry in the church.
Christian Freisleben
Christian is 25 years old, engaged to Claudia, and doing a part-time internship with the Union of Evangelical churches in the Quellenstrasse Church in Vienna. As a graduate of New Lief Bible School and Seminary in Germany, he is gifted in leading worship, small groups, discipleship, encouragement, and exhortation. Christian is doing a full gamut of activities in church, from music to children's ministry to preaching. He and Claudia do not know yet where God wants them long-term, but they are waiting for His leading.
David Lieberherr
25 and engaged to Rita, Daniel has his masters in Social work and is seeking wisdom and direction for the future. Currently, he spends half his time with secular social work and half in regional youth ministry in Innsbruck. David says, "We have a God of hope," and this is the message he wants to be giving to the young people in his city. His passions include, Jesus, Rita (his fiance), the church, and music ministry.
Mathias and Miriam Ottacher
A graduate of the Word of Life Discipleship Training Center, Mathias is very active in the youth ministry in his local church in Spittal. Recently married to Miriam they are seeking guidance to continue to reach young people with the Gospel. Mathias works part-time in his fathers business as an electrician.
Thomas and Helen Gangl
Tom and Helen are up and coming leaders in Vienna, Austria. Besides working part-time, they are both students in our Evangelical Academy and highly involved with the youth, music ministries, and children's ministries in their local church, regionally, and nationally.
Richard and Mel Schmidt; Andi Heusser - HEARTbeat
Highly talented and anointed music missionaries, these three young people have had an impact on their country. Their involvement with the Teen Prayer Congress (a prayer movement among most all of the believing young people in Austria) has been a valuable ministry to the Austrians. They also coach worship bands for local churches.
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