Dear Church Planters
In just two weeks time almost 600 church planters from across Europe will meet at Friedensau for inspiration and the X-Change of ideas to reach lost postmoderns for Jesus. The week after that (1-7 August) about 200 church planters will meet in Budapest for another X-Change for planters from central, east and southern Europe.
We are planning that these will be times of prayer and encouragement.
We have been reminded this week (in London) of the ‘darkness’ of this world. We must revitalise and plant new ‘emerging’ churches to bring the story of our relationship with Jesus to a people suffering grief and fear. Many church plants are today in special prayer. Reach out to someone today and this week with love and encouragement.
Judy and I are in transition. The leaders of the church (Trans-European Division) brought to the group that decides my role a plan for a major restructure of the Ministerial Association, Global Mission and Church Planting – and three new people will take over the work that I have been doing for the last 10 years. These new leaders are – Daniel Duda (Ministerial Association), Janos Kovacs-Biro (Church Planting & Evangelism) and Don McFarlane (Global Mission & Field Secretary). These are capable and visionary people and will carry forward the work. I encourage your full support and prayers for them. Many of us will meet at the X-Changes in the coming weeks – and I will introduce Janos to those who do not know him. It has been an enormous pleasure to work with all planters and pastors in Europe, the Middle East, Israel, Africa and Pakistan. I know hundreds of you by name and heart. We have been enriched by your energy, creativity and commitment to sharing Jesus and your relationship with the Holy Spirit. I am humbled by each of you. Your leaders, church planting coordinators and I have been part of the most incredible team and supportive network. Many of you will know Janos, Daniel and Don and I know that God will bless as you work together.
Your country leaders and planting coordinators are committed to supporting you and fostering a movement of planting across Europe. I encourage and challenge you to keep this focus. Do not stumble because of criticism or opposition. Be assured of my prayers and support – and I will rejoice with every report of a new group started, a new church planted and lost post-Christian, postmodern people finding Jesus. Judy and I have no plans at this stage – however, we will see many of you at the X-Changes in Friedensau and Budapest. The last item of this NEWS gives more travel information for the Friedensau X-Change (24-31 July 05) – also available on www.churchplants.net.
Kind Christian regards,
Peter Roennfeldt
PS: I promised that the next NEWS would share some case-studies from the Netherlands. I apologise. That will have to be the next!
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CHURCH PLANTING NEWS – 09 July 05
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In this NEWS …
v CAMP FOR UNCHURCHED
v KORINTA REPORTS IN ST LOUIS:
v PREPARING FOR THE ‘CHURCH PLANTING X-CHANGE’
v ‘REMIX’ REACHING TEENS FOR JESUS
v CHURCH PLANTERS X-CHANGE – 24-31 JULY 05: Emerging Churches – for an Extraordinary Life with Jesus
CAMP FOR UNCHURCHED: “I have a camp with about 50 unchurched people this weekend,” reports Laszlo Szabo. “We have a good spirit and they are enjoying the camp.”
KORINTA REPORTS IN ST LOUIS: Korinta church planter Aira Arins reported at the Global Mission Exhibition at the General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventists that there will be another baptism in Riga of 8-10 friends in two weeks time.
PREPARING FOR THE ‘CHURCH PLANTING X-CHANGE’ Leader and planting coordinator Richard Elofer reports that the pastors of the Israel Field will spend July 19-21 in a retreat preparing themselves for the Church Planters X-Change (Friedensau – 24-31 July) which they will attend. Richard says, “We are waiting with impatience for this experience.”
‘REMIX’ REACHING TEENS FOR JESUS The core team of 15 people – working to plant a church for the unchurched teenagers of north-west Copenhagen are intentionally seeking opportunities to spend more time with them reports planter Lasse Beck. “We have had extra sports activities,” says Lasse. And, the spiritual activities are focused. “In May we had a guest speaker who was in the Dutch version of the television show ‘Survivor’ – and, in June we had a biker pastor as guest speaker. He and another Christian biker really spoke directly into the street culture of our teenagers,” reports Lasse. “The preachers rode their Harleys up the aisle, stepped off and spoke their message.” For pictures go to www.re-mix.dk and click on "billeder" (pictures). The REMIX team is really excited – they will have their first baptisms in October.
CHURCH PLANTERS X-CHANGE – 24-31 JULY 05: Emerging Churches – for an Extraordinary Life with Jesus TRAVEL TO FRIEDENSAU BY CAR: Those travelling by car to Friedensau Adventist University will travel on autobahn A2 until the sign "Theßen." Leave the autobahn and follow the signs to Grabow (5 km) and then Friedensa ( a further 5 km). TRAVEL BY PLANE & TRAIN: The nearest railway station to Friedensau Adventist University is in Burg.
- From the Berlin-Tegel Airport take the X9 or 109 bus to the "Zoologischer Garten" railway station. From there take the train to Burg on the line from Berlin to Magdeburg. Travelling from Berlin you will pass through Gentin – and Burg is before you reach Magdeburg.
- From the Berlin-Schönefeld Airport take the train to Ostbahnhof railway station. From there take the train to Burg on the line from Berlin to Magdeburg. Travelling from Berlin you will pass through Gentin – and Burg is before you reach Magdeburg. When you buy your ticket check to see if you will need to change trains at any other place on this journey.
Notes:
- When the train is a "Regionalbahn" (regional train) five people can buy a group ticket for 49 €uro during the week and for 32 €uro Euro from Friday midnight until Sunday 03:00 am. The group of 5 people must ask for one "Brandenburg-ticket" and one "Sachsen-Anhalt-ticket" – for these are the two regions that the train will pass through on its way to Burg. When the connection is a "Eurocity" or “Intercity" train the ticket is 22 €uro per person.
- For a train timetable go to www.bahn.de and select “internat. guests” from the upper menu bar. You can then enter the airport name and your destination. Remember to always write Burg(Magdeburg) as your destination for there are several cities with the name Burg in Germany –
from Tegel airport enter from: TXL Berlin to : Burg(Magdeburg)from: Berlin Schönefeld Flughafen to: Burg(Magdeburg)from: Flughafen Tempelhof Berlin to: Burg(Magdeburg)After entering these details select ‘search’ – and then on the new window select ‘search connection’ and in this way you will get the timetable.SHUTTLE FROM BURG RAILWAY STATION TO FRIEDENSAU: A shuttle service will be available from Burg Railway Station to Friedensau Adventist University. Here are the steps to follow –
- If you arrive at one of Berlin’s Airports you will need to take a train into Berlin and then take a train to the Burg Railway Station – where a FREE shuttle service will be available from Friday afternoon 22 July until Sunday evening 24 July 05.
- On Sunday 24 July 05 from 07.30-19.00 the minibus shuttle service will be stationed at the Burg Railway Station. There will be a person at the Burg Railway Station to direct you to the minibus shuttle.
- If you arrive at Burg Railway Station outside these hours (07.30-19.00 on Sunday 24 July 05) – please call the driver +49 (0)179 923 0488 (mobile) or the Friedensau Guesthouse +49 (0)3921 916 160.
FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS & TRANSFERS FROM THE AIRPORTS TO FRIEDENSAU: Some groups may wish to make their own arrangements with Friedensau for transfers from the airports in a 7 seat minibus for 100 €uro per trip. If you are arriving or departing outside the free shuttle service times you can arrange for a student taxi at 12 €uro for a car/bus from Burg Railway Station to Friedensau. Please contact +49 (0)3921 916 160 for the details and make your own arrangements. ARRIVAL AT FRIEDENSAU: Registration for the Church Planters X-Change will take place on Sunday, 24 July 2005 from 13.30 to 17.30. When you arrive follow directions to the Registration Area (below the cafeteria) – where you will receive your room and camping allocations and X-Change materials. You will need to register and receive your Name Tags before you can receive any meals. FIRST MEAL & FIRST MEETING: The first meal will be served from 17.30-19.00 in the cafeteria. The first Church Planters X-Change worship and presentation will take place in the Arena at 19.30. DEPARTURE: Unless you have made previous arrangements – we kindly request you to leave your accommodation by 10.00 on Sunday 31 August.
MONEY: There is no ATM, cash machine or money exchange facility on campus. Coins or change (Euro) for washing machines will be available at the main office and Campus Shop.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is the responsibility of each person to ensure that they have adequate travel and health insurance.
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CHURCH PLANTING NEWS
Peter Roennfeldt
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