Mission Trips
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Fall 2011 Mission Trip to Visit Missionaries in Europe
Haggis, Borscht and Bratwurst – but much, much, more! (from First Things 12/1/2011)
Last week Dr. Robert Belding and I returned from our ten-day/three-country trip to Europe. It was an experience that included a variety of airports, languages, food, and people. Our reason for going was to visit and encourage people and ministries in which FPC has particular interest and investment.
Our first stop was Leith, Scotland and the ARP church plant (Grace Church) led by Athole Rennie and his wife Rosalynd. Leith is a harbor area on the North Sea located within Edinburgh. Recent years have brought a renewal to Leith with many, especially young adults, moving to the area. The Rennies and their young son, Erskine – who have visited FPC on 3 occasions – have a flat in the heart of Leith. We have heard from several sources of the great spiritual needs of the area. We were struck by the many church structures being offered for sale - or already sold - for non-church purposes. It is in this setting that the Rennies, joined by several other young couples, are seeking to engage the community for the gospel’s sake. Hospitality, relationship building, and public discussions on “questions of the day” are some of the “tools” they have sought to employ. A year ago the core group consisted of 3 couples. Now, two and a half months after starting public worship, as many as 30 – 45 gather every Sunday afternoon in a rented room of a well located YMCA. Within these numbers, the core group has expanded to more than 20. As we interacted with core group members we heard a variety of stories as to how the Lord brought them into the life of Grace Church. We also met Andrew Court and his wife Helen. Andrew is doing an “internship” at Grace as he prepares for ordination as an ARP minister, with the thought of planting another new church. As we the Rennies and those gathering around labor for the Lord, pray that they would be given enduring strength and energy as they seek to see the kingdom of God advanced in Scotland.
Our next stop – after an overnight near Heathrow Airport in London – was Kiev, Ukraine, where we visited FPC members and World Witness missionaries, Scott and Victoria Andes. We were met at the airport by Victoria while Scott was busy in meetings at the Evangelical Reformed Seminary, where he serves as Dean of Students. Driving to the seminary gave us a glimpse of this large (4 million) expanding city with high rise apartments sprouting everywhere. Once there we saw the large renovated apartment that provides a library, offices, and study area for the seminary. Evangelical Reformed Seminary serves approximately 40 students from all over the country of Ukraine. Courses are taught by visiting professors. When the professors leave Scott oversees the academic progress of students. Our visit to the seminary, coupled with a meeting of their larger missionary team the next day, provided us a good introduction to the Andes’ co-laborers. Their combined ministry efforts involve different mission agencies and different countries (Northern Ireland, Netherlands, and the US). The Andes describe their current setting as the best of the three Russian speaking locations where they have lived and worked as missionaries. Those who have followed the Andes know that housing has at times been a challenge. A few months ago they were able to move into a spacious rental home that is proving to be a great space for their family with room to host visitors such as Robert and me. Just like families here with three grade school age children, much energy is invested in their children. They covet our prayers for wisdom in raising their children, each with their particular needs. One highlight of our time in Kiev was getting to know and spend time with Nathan, Amy, and Diana. Additionally, Diana recited the Children’s Catechism for us and we presented her with a certificate and Bible from FPC.
After a 4:00 a.m. ride to the airport with Scott, we boarded a plane on the way to our final destination – Berlin, Germany – to see FPC members and World Witness missionaries, Jeff and Suzanne Allers. The Allers began their time in Berlin over ten years ago living in a section of the former East Berlin known as Marzhan. At that time their outreach efforts focused on young people in this depressed, unchurched area. A few years ago they were redeployed to another area of former East Berlin closer to the heart of Berlin. It is an area that has seen dramatic transformation with new or renovated apartments and many new businesses. This area has become “the place” for young families to move. It is here that their mission team – a joint ARP/PCA effort in collaboration with a German congregation – began a Family Center ministry whose goal was to share the gospel and see a church grow from those efforts. It was at the Family Center where we met the others on their missionary team. Rebecca Carson – another World Witness missionary – was there along with three PCA missionaries including a veteran missionary couple. The veteran couple made a point of saying what an asset the Allers are to this effort. As our time in Berlin unfolded it became apparent to us how gifted the Allers are in building relationships with unbelieving Germans. A gift God has used to see a number brought into the Kingdom over their years in Berlin. Our last full day in Berlin began with worship at the Family Center where the growing congregation gathered to worship and hear God’s Word. This gathering of over 50 was composed of mostly young families. Its leadership is primarily German and when the Allers come home for furlough in the summer of 2013 it will be totally German. As in Kiev, one highlight of being in Berlin was spending time with the Allers family including their twin five year old boys – Ben and Sam. Like parents everywhere, the Allers seek God’s wisdom and grace in raising their boys. We concluded Sunday by driving out to the site of their first ministry – Marzhan. We saw the area in which they spent so much time building relationships with young people and then we drove by the location of the church which grew from these efforts. There we found the German pastor and his family still meeting with people at the church. He reported that the church is growing and that two people had become Christian believers that week. This was an encouraging way to finish our time in Berlin as we saw that the Lord is building his church and that he has used missionaries sent out by us to be an integral part of it.
Robert and I want to thank you for the privilege of representing you with these friends and partners in ministry. We welcome the opportunity to answer questions you may have about our time. Additionally, Robert has put together an informative slide show of the trip that can be viewed on Sunday in the atrium. The Lord is at work and it is privilege that we at FPC have been blessed to share in His work.
Rev. Neal Mathias
