In memoriam: Christian Winter

Two days ago Christian Winter of the house of prayer in Herrnhut, Germany, died quite suddenly. It's remarkable that in less than a year's time three leaders of European prayer houses (Amden CH, Utrecht NL and Herrnhut D) have deceased. In all three situations God impressed on me that "the grain of wheat has to fall in the earth and die in order to bear fruit". All three leaders carried a fatherly mantle and godly promises. Their death seems to be premature, but I'm sure it's not from God's perspective. It's up to the emerging generation to pick up the mantle and walk in the inheritance these spiritual fathers left.

I met Christian in the Summer of 2001, when God led me to Herrnhut for a personal prayer retreat and research for my (yet to be written) book on spiritual wells in Europe. Herrnhut is the birthplace of the Moravian Pentecost, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the early 18th century, leading to a 24-hour prayer chain that lasted for more than a century, and a passionate missions movement that reached the ends of the earth. Christian greatly helped me with my research. He had dug up many stories from the local archives that were key in understanding God's dealing with people and places throughout history.

Years ago the Lord spoke to Christian that He would restore the wells of 24-hour prayer and missions in Herrnhut. Since that time prophets from all over the world have travelled to this tiny village on the border with Poland and Czechia with the exact same message. And God is already fulfilling his promises - youth prayer movement 24-7, Tom Hess' World Wide Watch, the Swiss 24-7 prayer network, and Connect Europe were all 'birthed' in Herrnhut. Still Christian believed that the community of Herrnhut itself would also be restored as a place of 24-hour prayer and worship, and a strong missionary sending base. He established a house of prayer, and took the first steps to also establish a missions centre (just two months ago he received permission to buy the property).

Christian's sudden death is our loss, but heaven's gain. God's promises surpass human lives, He keeps them throughout the generations. The Moravian Pentecost was a 'hidden seed' that produced its fruit at the right time. John Hus planted it, Comenius watered it and Zinzendorf witnessed the harvest. May God do it again.

Comments

[Peter Worthington]

I can see that your friend will be missed. How we need to see the passion for prayer imparted to others who will fill the gaps left by the passing of godly intercessors!

[Genadendal, South Africa]

Yes, indeed ! Christian Winter was a man of God. All praise to Him, the Giver of Life, who also takes whenever it pleases Him. We as Africans had the opportunity of meeting this 'gentle Gospel giant' of Herrnhut (in 2000, with the Zizendorf Fest). We returned to SA with new inspiration to let our lights shine for Jesus. We will always treasure the sweet memories of this man of God. Auf Wiedersehen Christian, till we meet on Halelujah Square !!! Isaac Balie, family and congregation in dark Africa