“All ten of the most gospel-resistant people groups in the world are located in Western Europe, whereas all ten of the most gospel-receptive people groups in the world today are located in either China or India.” (Timothy C. Tennent, Invitation to World Missions, p. 17)
Pray for Europe!
Pray for the churches, leaders, and missionaries serving throughout Europe.
Pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the “New Dark Continent” of Europe.
I will be away on Sabbatical until September 16, 2013. No email, no telephone, just time to pray, reflect, rest, and gear up for the next season of life. Thanks for your prayers.
Thank you to all of you who prayed for and gave money to help make our 2013 Missionary Retreat a reality! Because of your love and generosity we were able to bring together almost 40 Foursquare Missionaries serving throughout Europe for a time of refreshing and ministry. Here is what some of them had to say:
“Holding this years missionary retreat just after the Foursquare Europe Conference was such a blessing to me. While I have been to the missionary retreats before this was the first year I as able to go to the Conference. It was encouraging to see 25 different countries represented and to hear what God is doing across Europe. It gave me a chance to share ideas and to encourage and be encourage by others working in this difficult spiritual climate. After being on the field for six years the opportunity to attend the conference and the retreat not only gave me the rest and encouragement I needed but for the first time it gave me a greater sense of connection with the European Foursquare Family.”BethDelaney, serving in Cork, Ireland.
“It meant the world to us to be able to attend the conference and retreat and especially to have the cost covered. It was such a refreshing time, a time to reconnect and build new relationships of support and encouragement. And it was really good for our kids to meet other missionary kids! It would not have been possible for us without such generous donors. Thank you so very much!”Tim & Kristina O’Toole, serving in Galway, Ireland
“I was very blessed by our time together in Budapest. There’s something really precious and really powerful about coming together as family and gaining a broader sense of what the Father is doing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Name and Location withheld for security purposes.
“Our recent missionary retreat in Budapest, Hungary was a pure gift! It was a unique opportunity to spend some unhurried time with my fellow missionaries in Europe. It was life-giving to experience the Spirit of God together in the midst of shared relationship, challenges, ministry, vision, and relaxing fun!”Adam Hartel, serving in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
“For us, the retreat was all about deepening relationships with our FMI colleagues in Europe and learning about their experiences. We rarely see them and it was very encouraging to be together, sharing our stories and relating as only missionaries to Europe can to one another. The activities planned were the catalysts, and sooo much fun! Thank you to all who made it possible!”Brett and Tammy Toft, serving in Tallinn, Estonia.
These are just a few of the words of appreciation that have been expressed to everyone who helped make this happen. Thanks again!
Mission work is not the work of a missionary; it is the work of the body of Christ. Debbie and I count it a great joy serving with you in fulfilling the Great Commission. Let me know if we can serve you in any way.
Prayer Needs for June
– I will be in Ukraine this month leading a pastors’ conference. Pray for spiritual breakthroughs throughout this great nation and the whole Russian-speaking world.
– I will be in Gothenburg, Sweden later this month. We have six churches in Sweden we are working with to develop a Foursquare Church planting movement in this nation.
– The Balkans: We are working with our FMI missionaries and European leaders to plant and develop more churches through this region.
– Romania: Pray for wisdom and for laborers to help us reach this amazing nation.
– The Russian-speaking Nations: Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and for strong, healthy churches to be planted and developed.
Thank You for Your Partnership
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. Together we are making a difference.
How about a quick peek into one of my recent ministry trips that covered three weeks, six nations, and 14,000 miles?
Spantov, Romania
Spantov Foursquare Church
I ministered along side Pastor Daniel Banu. Daniel is a gifted leader doing an amazing job of reaching the Roma (Gypsy) people. I stayed in his home along with his eight children, wife, and a few other adults. There was never a dull moment from the time we woke up until we went to bed. Morning started with neighbors in need coming to Pastor Daniel’s home for coffee, bread, sugar, and other daily needs. They have a window off the kitchen wall that opens wide and people just walk up to it or ride their bicycles to the window to ask for help. The days were filled with serving people. At night we would have church or training meetings with leaders.
Pastor Daniel is a strong, visionary leader with a passion to see people’s lives transformed. Check out this video and then click HERE to learn how we can partner with him.
Tirana, Albania.
With Chris and Laura Dakas
I then flew to Tirana, Albania to be with our FMI missionaries Chris and Laura Dakas. Chris and Laura have faithfully served Albania and the Balkans for more than 20 years. Because of their work the Good News of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed and demonstrated in Albania and beyond. Check out their website, http://www.stephencenter.com for more information.
Gjakova, Kosovo
With Astrit and Emile
Chris and I then drove to Gjakova, Kosovo to be with Astrit and Emily Morina. They pastor Eternity Church. God is using Astrit and Emily to bring healing to this nation that has suffered so much. Working together with this quality couple we will see Foursquare Churches planted throughout Kosovo.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
With Adam and Lizz in Sarajevo
Then it was back to Albania for one night then off to the airport for a flight to Sarajevo. I went to Sarajevo to connect with a young couple from a Foursquare Church in New York and to connect with a local pastor who wants to explore getting connected with our Foursquare movement in Europe. I spent my first day in Sarajevo with Adam and Lizz, the American couple. Even though this was our first time to meet face-to-face we instantly connected. What a great couple! I liked them so much I invited them to our Foursquare Europe conference in Budapest the following month. They were able to attend and they tell me it was a great time for them.
I spent my second day in Sarajevo with Pastor Dario. He has a church about 70 km from Sarajevo. Just like with Adam and Lizz from the day before it felt like I was meeting an old friend. I look forward to building a long-term relationship with these leaders and seeing the Foursquare Church grow throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kiev, Ukraine
With Dmitry at City of Light Church
Then it was off to Kiev, Ukraine to meet with Dmitry Mason. Dmitry leads a local church and a network of Churches called City of Light. We are working together to build strong healthy churches throughout Ukraine and beyond.
Chelyabinsk, Russia
After my time in Kiev I flew to Chelyabinsk, Russia (made famous recently by the meteorite that exploded over their city). Debbie and I started working in Russia in the mid-1990s. It was out of our work there that the Foursquare Church of Russia was established. For the last eight years it has been led by Pastor Slava Naniyantz. Last autumn during a Foursquare Russia gathering he let the leaders know he felt his time was over as the national leader and it was time to pass the leadership off to someone else. A plan was set in place to meet again in March in Chelyabinsk.
Russian Leaders’ Seminar
I sat in the meeting in Chelyabinsk watching how these pastors worked together to select a new leader and forge a new path forward. I was humbled and amazed to see just how healthy the process was. I am so excited to see what the future holds for Foursquare Russia.
I share these brief glimpses of my travels for one reason: to give you a taste of what it is we do together. We each have our role to play in making disciples of all nations. One part is not more important than another part. When we all do our part there is a Holy Spirit-empowered synergy that takes place that multiplies our efforts.
A great evening of worship and the WordI
I wanted to say thank you for praying with us, supporting us, and partnering with us. It is because of your prayers, your giving, and your partnership that Debbie and I are able to open new fields, strengthen existing works, and care for the people, opportunities and resources entrusted to FMI for Europe.
Some of our key leaders in Russia.
I wanted you to see a glimpse of your harvest. Yes, because of our partnership we get to share in the harvest together. I wanted to let you have a glimpse of what I think is held in heaven for us.
Blessings,
Jeff and Debbie
(If you enjoy hearing from me, subscribe to this blog and you will get email updates every time I post something. Also, “friend me” on Facebook.)
Debbie and I serve as the FMI Global Associate Director for MENACA and Europe. We focus on cultivating disciples, leaders, and church planting movements.