Berlin, Germany – Update on Current Situation of the Students
General Situation
We praise the Lord for what He is doing among the students here. We thank Him for the day of small beginnings. In April of 2015 the Lord led some of the students to come together for a weekly student meeting. At that time there were four of us and we began to meet in the home of one of the local couples and in the meeting hall. Over the last year and a half, the Lord has built us more together and has added some remaining fruit. By His mercy we have progressed in our love and relatedness toward one another.
In general, the contact among the students throughout the week has increased. Some students, for example, have morning revival together. There is also a weekly coordination for the student meeting as well as fellowship regarding the shepherding of the new ones.
Now there are approximately 10-12 saints who meet regularly for the student meeting, including some of the dear brothers from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. This arrangement has been a marvelous opportunity for blending and learning to care for one another in the person of Christ.
Older saints told him on a few occasions, “Unless the Lord stops you, you need to be someone set on going to Europe. You can set it in your heart and consecrate yourself.” The students in the US must have a view of how crucial it is for ones in the US to move to Europe. This is the direction of the Lord’s move and it is His ultimate move today. We can align ourselves with this burden by choosing to do so. We have the freedom to choose Him.
Two young native Germans have been gained by the Lord
Since the gospel trips began with the trainees back in January 2016 there have been two young Germans who have been saved and baptized. One has come strongly into the church life and is progressing well in the Lord. The other has also made progress, but we have not been able to shepherd her on a daily basis. She is greatly in need of such care in order to go on in the Lord and to enjoy the church life more.
Gaining the native German students:
Some of the students here in Berlin made the following observations regarding the situation among the young German’s / students in general: Many are looking for something. Given the world situation, there is a sense even among many young people that something is coming to an end. Many feel like something is happening. This is really a golden opportunity to preach the gospel. There is a need for us (the students) to go out and speak the gospel more. There is just something about young people taking to young people, something about young people giving young people Bibles. We are growing, but there is still very much ahead of us.
Based on what we have learned during the gospel trips and in the last few years, we realize that the Lord would really like to gain many young German students. It seems that the following components are crucial for the Lord to gain remaining fruit unto His glory:
1.) Much and thorough prayer
2.) Vital groups that are burdened for the students (This definitely includes the older saints with open homes and open refrigerators – there is a great need here)
3.) Contacting of the students with the gospel in a regular and consistent way, even if it is sometimes discouraging
4.) Daily contact with the open ones who have been contacted
5.) Homes near the campus, so that the new ones can be contacted/ shepherded between their classes and more easily connected with the saints
6.) Brothers’ and sisters’ houses (apartments):
The housing situation in Berlin is quite difficult. It is NOT easy for students to find suitable and affordable accommodation. With such houses there is also the possibility that new ones could be brought into corporate living. If we had had such homes about one year ago, we could have had 2 new brothers in corporate living. In addition, almost every semester there are young people who have grown up in the church life who come from abroad to spend time in Berlin. It would be so good to offer these dear saints a corporate living experience during their stay.
We need support/ perfecting in all of the areas listed above. Please pray for us.
Much grace in our beloved Bridegroom,
The students in Berlin
(Source： https://www.facebook.com/churchnews/photos/a.261678467187408.65049.152906548064601/1182409591780953/?type=3)
