Day 26 – 29 Days of Prayer and Giving – Frankfurt, Germany
Dear Partner in the Gospel
Today is day 26 of our 29 Days of Prayer and Giving for Grace Baptist Partnership. Each day we will focus our attention on a particular church planting, church replanting or church revitalisation project in which we have an interest. We trust you will remember these situations in prayer and that you will take advantage of the opportunity to support the spread of the gospel by means of a donation to Grace Baptist Partnership this month. It will also help us if you will share these requests with your friends by forwarding these emails to them.
Frankfurt, Germany
Peter Schild, Church Planter
Andre Bay was persistent. As pastor of a local church in Wetzlar, Germany he had a desire not only to see his church strengthened but to see new churches planted. He requested help. Our work in England was really just beginning. Even though we had a desire to help, time and money were in short supply. Andre, though, as I may have mentioned, was persistent.
So the next thing I know I’m in Wetzlar, Germany with my friend John McDonald from Grace Baptist Mission. While we were there Andre introduced us to two young men – Nathanael Armisen and Peter Schild – who were nearing the end of their theological studies. They were prepared to move to Wetzlar and desired to be trained to serve as church planters. It seemed that HeartCry Missionary Society was prepared to support them. However, Andre was hoping we could assist him in training them.
John McDonald said he thought GBM would fund the training if GBP could provide it. So with a lot of help from my friends we did just that. Little did we know at that time that Nathanael would not become a church planter. But, rather, when Andre Bay resigned from the pastorate at Wetzlar, Nathanael would be appointed to that post. Peter, as planned, would move to Frankfurt and plant the new work there.
Both of them are now well established in their roles. The church at Wetzlar is growing and has been able to purchase a building recently which should serve their needs for years to come. The church plant at Frankfurt is making steady progress as well with people coming to faith in Christ and being baptised. They hope in the not too distant future to be able to form an autonomous church. In the meantime, Peter is training a group of men in hopes that in time they can serve as elders and deacons.
So that’s the end of the story, right? Not quite. Reformed Baptist witness in Germany is weak – very weak. The friends at Wetzlar and now Frankfurt are increasingly being called on to help in other parts of the country. Please pray that they will have much wisdom as they seek to respond to these opportunities. Pray that the Lord will raise up others to serve with them and to be sent out from them to evangelise and plant churches among Germany’s 80 million people. Pray that God will indeed be glorified through all that they do.
What ever happened to Andre? Since 2013 he has served as pastor of Shore Baptist Church in Auckland, New Zealand. The last time I heard from him they were thinking seriously about church planting. If I know, Andre, he will persist until it’s done. Praise the Lord.
http://www.gracebaptistpartnership.org.uk/about-gbp/donate/
Warm regards in Christ
Barry King
General Secretary
Grace Baptist Partnership