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Just sent out the invitation for our upcoming Connect Europe gathering, 25-28 November in Berlin, Germany. As we expect a lot of interest in this strategic get-together, it's best to apply as soon as possible, but not later than 25 October.
God is connecting the emerging generation in Europe literally from the far north to the far south. Niina posted on the Connect meeting in Saamiland (northern Norway). Five languages, organic church = going where the wind of the Spirit takes us, the amazing northern light, and reindeer meat with pasta. Reports here and here.
"I am off today down to Faro in the Algarve for Connect Portugal, where there will be around 25-30 of us gathering," writes Jasmin Jones (picture right). "PLease pray for this time, I believe it is a crucial time for Portugal and that the Lord really wants to raise up a generation for which Jesus and his Kingdom is the first thing. Pray for a paradigm shift in our thinking, and boldness to go wherever God calls us."
TSK commenting: "How can they expect emerging people to get up so early on a Sunday morning? And what happens when the traditional people want to take their shoes off, paint Bible verses on the wall and drink some chai?"
Andrew posted a cool video of the baptism of his three girls. Not only the happy dad, but also Little Liz blogged about it:
What a blast i've done it at last
i've gone in and out of the ocean at last
i have changed
i was reborn
i could see the change already
the foot steps that i took
walking out of the ocean
was like i was walking to God
walking to heaven
The Dutch Daily reports that the Berea movement fell apart, as a result of the Allart schandal. Quite sad, as it likely could have been prevented if the leaders of Berea had stepped down back in March instead of defending the situation (see episodes 1, 2 and 3). They all had 'butter on their heads' as the Dutch expression goes.
The last few days I was in Herrnhut to reconnect with the crew of the house of prayer. It's good to see the hospital project grow. I met with Frank and Andrea, the new pastors of the Christian Center, and with Heinrich and his wife who run the renovation of the hospital. Good people with a heart to serve. It was also good to see Noel & Barbara Bell again, the grey-haired pioneers of Intercessors for Australia.
Last year Carla Trundle asked everyone present at the 24-7 Roundtable to send in a profile, based on a number of uncommon questions. Somehow I never made it to their website, so I'll publish it here. If you have ever wondered which cartoon character I most resemble, what my favourite Bible passage is, or which three things I would bring to a desert island - this is your chance. And what is the well kept secret that never made it into Red Moon Rising?
The Neustadt quarter really is a trendy area. Today I saw these interesting wall decorations. Fire on the left and water on the right.
Didn't go to the meetings today, but hang out with Kai & Cornelia (insert), who told me they bought a cabin in Saxonian Switzerland, where they regularly bring friends for a weekend. They combine outdoor leasure (like climbing) with spiritual formation. "People who don't like to go to church, also non-believers, love these weekends," Kai says. Sounds like the ideal church to me. ;-)
Tonight's speaker was Christian Führer, the pastor of the Nikolai Kirche in Leipzig, who has been instrumental in the prayer and peaceful resistance movement that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. I must say I hung on this guy's lips from beginning to end.
In the beginning of the eighties the Nikolai Kirche opened her doors for 'alternative' young people who had formed protest groups for disarmament. "I suddenly realised," says Christian, "that if we would open our doors for these types, the communists would no longer be able to say that the church was just a museum, a place for old ladies waiting to die. The church could again become a grassroots counter movement."
In 1982 the Nikolai Kirche started weekly prayer meetings, that went on unbroken for seven years, until the Wall fell. When discouragement kicked in, they reminded each other of Jesus' words that when two or three gather, He is in their midst. "We realised that if we would stop praying, there would be no hope for change in Germany."
