20 October 2009

CEF Central European Leaders Forum

Around 35 CEF National Directors, committee members and Kilchzimmer staff have gathered in Crivenica, Croatia for the Central European Leaders Forum. We give thanks to God for His protection on the 11 hour journey (I just lost a wheel cap while still in Switzerland). Some fo the Romanian team drove almost 24 hrs!
The countries belonging to this area are mostly represented here. They are Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Gerd-Walter Buskies opened our time last night with a message challenging us to be both biblical and significant in our ministry to children.
Barna Kovac started the day by leading our prayer meeting before breakfast. Then we had a rousing message from Roy Harrison from 2.Tim. 2:1-10. Gerd-Walter then spoke on the theme of “National Committees and National Leaders hand in hand together”. I will be speaking this afternoon about developing Youth Challenge in these various countries and about leadership integrity on Thursday morning.
There are about 10 different languages spoken in this group, so everything is being conducted in English with some simultaneous translation taking place throughout the room. Thank you for praying for us.

11 October 2009

10 year Bible College reunion


At the end of September, we visited our Bible college again for a 10 year reunion since graduation. From those we shared the 3 years with, some are now serving as missionaries in various parts of the world like Lithuania, Paraguay, Ukraine, Switzerland, Austria and of course in local churches in Germany. Some got married, had children, relocated, etc. It was so good to see those who could make it along including our year teacher who married us a few weeks after graduation (far left).

10 October 2009

Eastern European Leaders Forum - Moscow

I have just returned from a very profitable visit to Russia where I was able to meet with leaders representing 11 countries from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Many of these brothers and sisters are working in sensitive situations, facing imprisonment for their CEF activities. Through my seminar, I presented the need for developing a teenager ministry and was able to follow this up with many private conversations. Many of the workers shared how the training and literature they have received has been put to good use. We were also able to make provisional plans for future JYC instructor courses. Many countries want to develop this ministry and are looking to us for help.
Photo: Speaking at the forum with my interpreter, Olga from the Ukraine (she did an excellent job!).

Parallel to our forum, the Russian workers were holding their staff conference. Together we profited morning and evening from the Bible messages from the CEF International president, Reese Kaufman.
Photo: Reese Kaufman preaching to both groups