Dear Friends
As I write the world is watching the horror of evil playing out in the school in Beslan in southern Russia. The desperation, pain, fear, grief – and unanswered pleas and prayers of mothers, fathers and friends – challenges and shakes (as the Archbishop of Canterbury is saying) our faith. The despair of those around us – and the peace and fellowship that we share with God – compels us to do more than ‘play’ church. We must be involved in our communities and proactive in sharing the gospel of God’s kingdom. Of course, some who are revitalising existing churches and planting new churches to reach lost people report coming under both ‘enemy fire’ and ‘friendly fire.’ However, we cannot afford to be distracted. We must seek courage from the Holy Spirit (Acts 4) – and be faithful to the message and mission that God has given.
You will be inspired with the stories in this NEWS. It is like reading another chapter in the ‘Acts of the Apostles’! This gives just a small picture of what is happening across the Trans-European Division – stories that have come during the last 5 days. Be courageous, innovative – and even audacious – for God and your communities. And share your ministry ideas, prayer needs, challenges and stories with us. Hundreds of church leaders, planters, pastors and members are being inspired by what you are doing for God. Make a difference in your world!
Christian regards
Peter Roennfeldt
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CHURCH PLANTING NEWS – 3 Sept 04
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In this NEWS …
Ø STEIGEN NETWORK – THE VISION IS SPREADING & WE ARE INSPIRED!
Ø WATT IS CELEBRATING – and OFF TO THE ZOO!
Ø GREAT NEWS FROM WALES – THIS IS AMAZING!
Ø CHURCH TEENS GO CRAZY – IN A GOOD WAY!
Ø KIDS ARE GOD’S FAVOURITES – INTRODUCING JESUS IN A FUN WAY!
Ø CHURCH ADMINISTRATORS & LEADERS COMMITTED TO CHURCH PLANTING
Ø MINISTRY IDEA FROM ‘TRAMPS’ ON CYPRUS
Ø ECHOS & OUTREACH IN REYKJAVIK
Ø FEEDING PLANTERS IN SOUTH SUDAN
Ø “GOD SPEAKS” BILLBOARDS!
Ø PREACHING–TEACHING CONFERENCE – ‘Communicating in Today’s Reality’ – Willow Creek, October 18-19
Ø UK Church Plant.info – NEWS & INSPIRATION
Ø VISION FOR KOBANYA
STEIGEN NETWORK – THE VISION IS SPREADING & WE ARE INSPIRED!
Living in a very rural Steigen beside an isolated fjord in northern Norway there seemed little that Gunhild and Jan Erik Hansen could do to witness. However, they looked at what God had given them – a farm, horses, and a large house in a beautiful area. They organised activities for local teenagers – involving the kids in play, work and fellowship. The activities include horse-riding, go-kart building and racing, a photography club, cooking, wilderness survival skills, camping and a variety of crafts. The network they have created now counts 36 kids! “They have 10 local non-SDA parents helping them and the local authorities are very eager to support their work,” reports the president of the North Norway Conference, Atle Haugen.
Because the kids from this isolated rural area must leave home at 16 years old to attend the High School in Bodø (pop. 40,000) – two hours away by boat or 250km by car – the Hansen’s have always had the intention of linking their youth work in Steigen with the little church in Bodø. “Most of these rural youth have to live in unattended student housing and rented rooms and are suddenly exposed to loneliness and all the temptations of a city,” writes Atle.
“As part of their project the Hansens occasionally take the kids on visits to Bodø,” says Atle. “The trips always include a visit to our church for refreshments and socials. Our pastor family there, Glenn Tore & Tone Storvollen have met with the kids regularly and gotten to know them. The plan has been to create activities in the church in Bodø for these kids when they come to Bodø to study.”
On Wednesday (25 August) the project entered phase two with the small Bodø church launching a café and meeting place in the church for these kids from rural areas. “Some of the kids from Steigen have been involved in the planning of the café,” writes Atle. “Our church members are enthusiastic and both the parents and the Steigen local council politicians are very supportive of the work starting in Bodø.” It is starting small – but growing.
This past week 6 kids came and involved themselves in the Bodø Café activities. “One non-SDA mother has participated in starting this project. She has promised to come regularly. The hopes and inspiration in the group in Bodø is increasing so continue to lift them up in your prayers!” says Atle.
WATT IS CELEBRATING – and OFF TO THE ZOO!
The WATT church planting team (remember the t-shirts and logo – Watts Up?) are celebrating. “The Dutch national pop radio station was giving away free tickets for the ZOO for groups of people,” writes church planter Anja Belder. “To get these tickets you had to send a mail to the programme makers telling them about your group.” One of the core group members, Peter, sent a message explaining the name WATT – and sharing “Watt we stand for and Watt we do!”
“The next morning I was called by the DJ – and spoke live on the programme,” Anja reports. “The DJ read Peter’s mail and asked me some things about Watt. His last question asked whether we happened to pray for free tickets! I told him that we could have done this – but that we that didn’t. He replied, ‘But Peter did, and his prayer is answered. You get 20 free tickets for the ZOO!’” The next morning the postman delivered 25 tickets! “Isn’t our God great? We can take our friends to the ZOO for free and spend a whole day with them. And we could tell about Watt on the national radio – at a time when about one million people are listening to this non Christian radio station,” writes Anja – who sends love and regards to all church planters! GREAT
NEWS FROM WALES – THIS IS AMAZING!
Every year the town of Llandrindod Wells holds a 9 day mega festival. ‘The Victorian Festival’ this year – presented a golden opportunity for the church planting team to get involved with the community. “Last year we dipped our toes in the water and this year we jumped right in and were welcomed with open arms and were told ‘You are an answer to prayer,’” report Rosemary & Gordon Lethbridge.
“The people running the children’s programme had pulled out!” Well Rosemary reports that they had been hoping to run a KIDZ CLUB. They had their opportunity. But, listen to this. Rosemary and Gordon report, “The festival committee asked us to open the festival with a family service on the Saturday,”
During the week the Llandrindod Wells church planting team ran the following programmes and activities: gymnastics (our sports ministry), a puppet show with a gospel theme, a KIDZ CLUB, organised a Great Balloon Race and a cookery demonstration where a suitably dressed Mrs Beeton (ala Rosemary) demonstrated healthy cooking. “God really blessed our efforts,” Gordon writes. “44 people requested more information with 27 of these asking for a KIDZ CHURCH. 9 People attended church the Sabbath following the festival and 2 of these have asked for further studies. On top of all that we have 141 contacts to follow up.” NOTE: Anyone who would like a full detailed report on what was done, what worked and what didn’t – write to Gordon Lethbridge at [email protected] and you can receive a full description of many ministry ideas. (This is good – Peter Roennfeldt.)
CHURCH TEENS GO CRAZY – IN A GOOD WAY!
(Teenagers inspire teenagers and adults!) – by Tina Kjeldal (2 Sept 04)
“We have been working for 4 years with a social program for teenagers in North West Copenhagen. This spring we started teenage divine services – in teenage language,” writes church planters Tina Kjeldal. “We have come to realise that if we are going to reach kids who are far away from church culture, we must (like Paul) speak their language in the context of the youth culture. We have come to realise that teenagers – including teens that have never been to any church – are very open to God’s message! A team from CaféChurch (an established church plant in Copenhagen) has helped launch our teenage services. “This Sabbath the teenage team did almost everything in the REMIX worship service. They chose the theme, the scriptures and the illustrations – and they hired a gospel choir. They read their own poems. They made a rap about the meaning of God in their lives – and found a break dancer on the street who had made a choreography to the theme-(rap)song Jesus Walks, invited him and he came!
“So we have also come to realise that making programs for totally unchurched friends, makes church teens go crazy – in the good way! They learn how to understand and live their commitment to Jesus and they grow spiritually and personally – a lot! If we just spend time with them and help them fulfil their ideas – they are the best missionaries we have, I’m sure! Our idea must be: engage church teenagers in outreach for their friends by using their own culture.”
KIDS ARE GOD’S FAVOURITES – INTRODUCING JESUS IN A FUN WAY!
Last Friday evening 29 kids came to FridayClub (a newly launched outreach ministry of FaceOut, Denmark) – mostly from the local town and only 8 from Adventist homes. “The kids called it the ‘Friday-club-feast event’ – and I like this” says Pia Elkjær from FaceOut. “We had the opportunity to introduce Jesus into their lives,” Pia writes. “The main theme was ‘the meaning of our names’ – built on the special meaning of names in the Bible. We tried to find out the meaning of the name of the kids. We had some good games, a puppet-show and a special time for reflection upon the meaning of God’s name.” The kids were very impressed that they can ask for God’s help and he will respond (the meaning of His name!). Tina Kjeldal (from REMIX) shared how God has helped her. “Silence and a lot of good listening,” reports Pia. “This was a door opener for some to share a personal word of prayer. It was great! Kids are definitely some of Gods favourite ones.” One girl said to Pia as they drove to her home, “I am so happy I was here tonight.” A very faithful group of young people from the church are participating as ‘club-leaders’. “They do great job and the kids admire them,” says Pia.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATORS & LEADERS COMMITTED TO CHURCH PLANTING
Next weekend (12-14 Sept) almost 80 church leaders from Europe – Union and Conference presidents, and church planting directors – meet in Budapest, Hungary for their third 3 day module of leadership training to equip them in their support of the growing numbers of church planters in their countries. “We really are looking forward to this next module,” writes Audrey Andersson – Executive Secretary of the Swedish Union Conference. In preparation, Audrey writes, “We are meeting with our group this weekend at a general leadership training weekend in Jönköping.”
MINISTRY IDEA FROM ‘TRAMPS’ ON CYPRUS
“OK, if you don’t like TRAMPS (Traversing Ridges And Mountain Passes), then we could use WALK Cyprus (We All Love Kyprou – Kyprou is Greek for Cyprus), or TRAIL Walkers (Trekking Roads And Island Lanes),” writes Homer Trecartin – Secretary of the Middle East Union. “Someday we will choose a name, but for now we are just having fun.” Homer and his wife Barbara are part of a group committed to reaching people for God – and establishing a church that relates to their community. “We have started a ‘club’ of members and friends who will take a walk/hike together every month in some of the remote and beautiful places of Cyprus,” Homer writes. “We want it to be an activity we can invite friends and neighbours to – a time we can fellowship together in God’s great creation.”
“Today 18 of us met at the church (9 members and 9 friends) and drove to Troodos where we met two more and hiked the 7 km Artemis Trail,” Homer reports. “We even had a young family with two little boys and a very pregnant Mommy. The four year old rode on his Daddy’s shoulders for a little way, but the five year old did the whole thing.”
“Afterward I gave everyone a business card that said they were members of TRAIL Walkers of Cyprus, and had a picture of the trail we had just hiked. (No, I am not that fast – it was a picture I took last summer!),” says Homer. “Who knows, someday we might even get t-shirts! Want to join? All you need to do is complete one hike with us and we will even give you our nifty membership card!”
ECHOS & OUTREACH IN REYKJAVIK (ICELAND)
Last Friday evening Peter and Judy Roennfeldt we met with ECHOS – a group of young people sharing a café style seeker sensitive worship with unchurched friends in Reykjavik, Iceland. Originally ECHOS started as a Friday evening event – but the groups found that Sabbath afternoon at 17.00 was a better time for their friends. “The most effective method of reminding our friends is to send an SMS message,” says the group leader, Halldor. “We also send out reminders 15 minutes before the programme starts.” ECHOS is committed to being authentic and relating openly to friends. “Practical discussions on the Proverbs – relating to friendships, money etc – have proved to be very well received,” says Monette – a team member. Planning for ECHOS started about 2 year ago – and the programmes have been presented every second week over the last year. Attendance averages 30-40 – and about 30 unchurched friends have come at some stage. 10 of these are personal close friends of the ECHOS team. The programmes are about to be launched again after a summer break.
This last Monday, just before leaving Iceland, Peter and Judy spent a morning with another outreach team in Reykjavik. Door-to-door surveys, seminars, Bible studies, small groups and evangelistic meetings – conducted by a team of 6-8 youth have already resulted in 3 baptisms so far this year. Inspired and led by three American young people who are giving a year as ‘volunteer missionaries’ in Iceland – a very consistent work of outreach is being conducted.
FEEDING PLANTERS IN SOUTH SUDAN
16 dedicated church planters and their families in South Sudan (an area of tremendous insecurity) are facing another threat. The rains have not come in time to have a harvest. Rather than them leaving their work – the leaders are working to send in enough food to keep them going until the next harvest. “The South Sudan Field calculated they need $2,800 to buy and ship a load of food in. Already this week, almost $800 has been donated,” writes Homer Trecartin from the Middle East headquarters. Let us know if you would like to help.
“GOD SPEAKS” BILLBOARDS! (sent by Val Start)
These highway billboards in Arizona are a simple black background with white text. No fine print or sponsoring organization is included.
- Tell the kids I love them. -God
- Let’s meet at my house Sunday before the game. -God
- C’mon over and bring the kids. -God!
- What part of “Thou Shalt Not…” didn’t you understand? -God
- We need to talk. -God
- Keep using my name in vain, I’ll make rush hour longer. -God
- Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage. -God
- That “Love Thy Neighbour” thing… I meant it. -God!
- I love you and you and you and you and… -God
- Will the road you’re on get you to my place? -God
- Follow me. -God
- Big bang theory, you’ve got to be kidding. -God
- My way is the highway. -God
- Need directions? -God
- You think it’s hot here? -God
- Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. -God
- Do you have any idea where you’re going? -God
- Don’t make me come down there. -God
UK Church Plant.info – NEWS & INSPIRATION
Gordon Lethbridge is providing an invaluable service to church planters in the UK – providing tips, information, exchange forum as well as news, prayer requests, resource reviews and articles on various aspects of church planting. (Eddie Hypolite provides the first of these features with an article ‘Learning to Learn.’ Excellent. If you want to receive this – write to Gordon at [email protected].
VISION FOR KOBANYA “I have got a new vision for Kobanya,” writes church planter Laszlo Szabo. Laszlo has the vision of getting EU and local government support to provide housing in Budapest (Hungary) for broken families. “The local government leaders are very supportive,” reports Laszlo. “They are ready to work with their specialists on how we can move forward.”
thanks for the work of God your doing
iwant to be pert yuo.