Valued partners in the Gospel,
It is not an exaggeration or mere rhetoric when I say that you are a tremendous blessing to us.The Lord uses your prayers and support! You are a crucial assistance for us to fulfill the important task of proclaiming Christ in Frankfurt and beyond. We want to express our sincerest gratitude to all of you! It is my pleasure to provide you with information about current developments in our church ministry here in Germany.
1) Day of Constituting the Church in Frankfurt
It was indeed a great joy to covenant together as a congregation on November 13, 2016. Brother Tobias Riemenschneider and I were appointed as elders of the church. Please pray for us as we strive to be shepherds after God’s own heart who equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Please pray that we grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Thank you!
2) Church Growth
Around ten people wish to be baptized and to become members of our church. A handful of people who are already baptized applied for membership. As pastors, we ought to keep watch over the souls, as those who will have to give an account. We need wisdom to faithfully and carefully do everything according to the written instructions of our grand master architect Christ, the builder of the church (Matthew 16:18). We are truly grateful for your intercession on our behalf.
3) Weekly Communion Service
In addition to our evening services, we meet in the morning on every Lord’s Day to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. In thankfulness, we experience this time as a means of grace which helps us to treasure Christ more and to receive by faith more of the unfathomable riches in Him. Charles Haddon Spurgeon puts it very well:
“I have been in the habit of coming to the Lord’s Table every first day of the week now for many years—I have never omitted it except when I have been too ill to move. Has it lost its freshness? Oh, dear, no! It is always a standing sermon containing more teaching than volumes of men’s sermons. (…) There is no law about the frequency of its observance, except the sweet Law of Love which seems to say, ‘If this is a window where Christ looks out, then let me often approach it. If this is a door through which He comes to my heart, then let me stand often at this door'” (Sermon No. 2595).
Please join us in thanksgiving to God for this wonderfully refreshing, encouraging, edifying and unifying time that we enjoy every Lord’s Day.
4) Family Life
In the last report, I mentioned that we are expecting a third child in the month of May next year. My wife suffered from ongoing morning sickness which was quite challenging for our family. I am very pleased to let you know that she is feeling a lot better. Thank you for your prayers!
5) Finding Faithful Deacons
We would appreciate your prayers as we are seeking to identify men with integrity who are qualified to serve as Deacons and live worthy of this office. It pleases the Lord when we take care of the physical needs of the church, in a way that prevents divisions and supports the leadership of the elders who devote themselves to praying and ministering the Word of God. Please pray that the Lord will equip the right men for this ministry.
6) Equipping the Women in the Church
We consider it an important concern to fulfill the mandate of Titus 2:3-5 that older women are to disciple younger women. We would appreciate if you could pray that we improve in this area by the grace of God so that we encourage and equip women to disciple each other for the glory of God.
7) Searching for Facilities
We still pray for a proper place to worship in our area. We trust that in God’s own time He will provide for us. Thank you for your continued prayer in this matter. I thank you for taking the time to read this report and thank you for your intercession on our behalf. I truly appreciate your continued interest and loving care!
May the Lord equip you with every good thing that you may do his will, that which is pleasing in his sight!