This past year—after the Berlin Team leader and director of the Martin Bucer Seminary, Ken Matlack, was called back to the States—has been challenging.  Even with internet technology, mentoring students and advancing the seminary’s program is best done in close contact—we communicate so much non-verbally and understand our environment best when we are immersed in it. Nevertheless, while we were “holding the fort,” the Lord was advancing His plan...  Just when Ken realized he had to step down as the MBS Berlin director, the Lord was calling his/His replacement.  Although the details are still being worked out, within a couple of weeks of Ken’s decision, the Lord gave us glimpses of the next phase in the development of MBS—handover to a national!  As of January 1^st, 2011, Mr. Ron Kubsch will be the new MBS Berlin director.  Ron is German, reformed, an apologist, has an excellent grasp of the issues facing Germany, particularly in the areas of politics, philosophy, education and counselling.  He comes to us from Bonn, where he has been working closely with the founder of MBS, Dr. Schirrmacher, for the last nine years—though he hails from the former eastern part of Germany.  (His family escaped East Germany before the Wall came down...) He and his wife, Dorothea, have three children aged 17, 16 and 10.  The Kubsch family were missionaries for six years, mainly in Lithuania, in the 1990’s.  Ron has been greatly influenced by the work of Francis Schaeffer, and has published on that in German, as well as on some counselling issues.  He and his wife feel called to MBS together, and have a vision for promoting the life of Christ in our students holistically—combining their living and seminary space together—a la L’Abri—though students will not be living them, but learning in their “home.”  So, besides a new director, MBS will also have a new location, before the end of 2010, by the grace of God.  We are looking to the Lord for a good transition into this new phase for MBS—and the Kubsch family—and thank God for the wisdom and goodness of this provision!

My teaching in Berlin has continued—and continues to be an ever-increasing, awe-inspiring expansion of the Gospel in my heart, and I trust in the hearts of our students as well.  Teaching opportunities also continue to expand to other study centers.  Classes and counselling sessions held in Zlin in the Czech Republic in May and June brought the students, director and friends there ever closer to my heart as we all drew closer to the Lord.  In November I will begin teaching in Zurich, Switzerland, and I’m looking forward to what the Lord will do with us there.

Discussions regarding the MBS counselling program in July were fruitful and unified us in our vision for the work.  We are very grateful to the Lord for this!  While I’m in Switzerland next month, we will be meeting together again and are planning to make more concrete the core component parts of the program.  By the grace of God, I am hoping that this expanded vision for the counselling program will be ratified in March at the annual MBS meeting in Bonn. 

In Ken’s absence mentoring responsibilities have expanded to include a few more students—a really delightful part of this work!  These are thoughtful men and women, actively engaged in life and ministry, seeking to apply their understanding of the Word to their lives and with those they come in contact.  It is such a joy and privilege to walk alongside them and get a glimpse of God at work through them.

Counselling opportunities continue—bringing Christ and His love, light, power and joy to dispel the darkness and to bring order to the chaos—as hearts are aligned in worship of God.  May the Lord continue to reveal Himself more in these sessions—to my counselees as well as to me!  Almost half of my time is spent in on-on-one counselling and mentoring—this is a necessary balance to theoretical/academic study!

Weekly attendance at the Paulus church-plant continues to increase!  Mid-week activities (children’s play groups, women’s brunches, ESL classes, art exhibitions, etc.) all encourage the community to find out who we are.  From mid-week events it is a small step to Sunday morning brunches (with testimonies), then to worship services and the Sunday school (though one man in his early 30’s first ventured in during a Sunday school session that I was teaching on suffering!).  We have recently chosen two elders and plan to install them in two weeks.  The term of our missionary/church-planter, David Stoddard, with his wife Eowyn and five children, will be coming to an end next summer, so we are seriously seeking the Lord for a German pastor to take us into the next phase of the church—here too—handover to nationals!  Three other Americans who lead in children’s ministry, worship and ESL classes will also be leaving by the end of next summer...  The harvest is ripening; may the Lord provide the German harvesters!  I am part of the church’s “vision team” (otherwise composed of nationals) who are searching for individuals to fill these positions, but we are also noticing that there is a wonderful attitude developing among us: “every member [in] ministry.” (I first heard this phrase at New Life Glenside, where it was actively promoted!)  May God raise up a godly, reformed pastor, as well as other staff, both from within and without.  (For those who prayed and are wondering, unfortunately our modified version of the Alpha course did not take place; we didn’t have enough of a response.  Perhaps there will come another time for it?)

In August/September I was deeply refreshed and encouraged in Toronto and Alberta while combining a fabulous family celebration in the Rockies with visiting some of you.  I’m very sorry not to have seen all my Canadian supporters at that time, but am most grateful for a time of wonderful fellowship with those I did see.  It is your very real and enthusiastic support in serious prayer and joyful giving that enables the Spirit’s work.  Thank you so much for your partnership in the Gospel!

In addition to the trip to Canada, I’ve been travelling out of the country at least once per month since I last wrote (in May I was in two other countries), out-of-country visitors and some short-term housemates.  This has made for a very full and enjoyable schedule, but I have not been able to keep up on all of my correspondence, nor in my studies (DMin, as well as keeping abreast of current developments related to counselling).  I pray for more solid study and work periods.

For those I have neglected in my correspondence, my sincerest apologies.  (I’ve actually prayed more than written in some instances...)  Please know I am deeply grateful for continued faithful support, in spite of my shortcomings.  To those who have had to withdraw tangible support in these financial times—I completely understand.  To those who have maintained their financial support, or actually been able to increase it—thank you so much!  That has been astonishing and most encouraging!  I’m grateful to be able to report that through you I am “amply supplied,” and pray that “God will [equally] meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

I continue to marvel at the love of God Who chose and enables me to do this work, and for His call on your lives, so that together we are a part of what He is doing in Germany.  May He have yet greater sway in our hearts that here—where the Reformation was born— many may again live to His glory, and know the goodness of God in Christ in this world and the next.

About 15,000 Real Life Kits (Kits (free laundry bags containing a New Testament, a Christian apologetic book and small items) were given to campus frosh in September. Pray for open hearts as students dip into their bags! At least four students this year have already given their lives to Christ as a direct result of receiving one of these kits. Pray also for hundreds of Christian students as they take the faith step of prayerfully offering these kits to at least five of their non-Christian friends and classmates this semester, and for the spiritual dialogue that will be taking place as a result. Our desire is that not only many students will begin a personal relationship with Jesus, but also that these Christian students will grow in their faith and joy as they see God working through them.