Aachen 2007
Gttn Conference Germany
The Church in Aachen where the conference was held was planted by Herr Kruger as one of many throughout Europe during his extensive, mobile apostolic ministry and evangelistic ventures in previous decades. It was this man’s life of love and faith which welcomed Latin Americans, Spanish and other ethnic minority groups in Aachen in worship to God together with local people and provided this ongoing basis of future ministry.
Hans Osterheld shared about the work he is involved in on the German Danish boarder at Flensberg, including his heart to see a greater church unity across the area, thus enabling the work of the church to be more effective. Pastors Graham and Marcello shared the vision God has given to Bognor Regis in the UK and the importance of going ‘together’ in mission to effect nations. They identified the strong relationship with Bishop Stortford and Oostend as partners with the same heart and with whom we can go into Europe to see other such partnerships arise and grow.
Pastor Paulo Junior, one of the Brazilian council members and founders of Gttn, who was not in Hereford, reminded us of the long link Hereford had with Aachen and spoke about the fact that having visited Aachen again this time, was rather like a completing a circle. Ministry can seem like that, but he saw the circle as a spiral, therefore the return may seem to be to the same point, but in fact it was further on, and so it should be in such relationships as we are about the Fathers business. It was interesting that he spoke in a similar way to Bill Cowie in Hereford from John 4. that we must be looking and seeing the where Jesus sees as the harvest and get involved with that rather than looking from our earthly and limited stand point. He proposed the fact that it is the Brazilian church together with the British church that will have the most impact in Europe .
Pastor Paulo Olivera from Sau Paulo shared his vision of a wave that although appears to move forward actually goes up and down, but it is energy that is actually transmitted in a horizontal manner. As church partnerships in the network engage together and rise and fall in their relationships in a flowing and synchronised manner, there is a tremendous release of spiritual energy which can change situations and circumstances in nations and see the church grow producing fruit for God.
Pastor Vinci with his wife Samia from Vittoria shared a slide presentation about the social work of evangelism they are supporting in Afghanistan Bosnia and poor areas in Brasil.
It was great to see couples and families engaged in missions in and Luxemberg at a GttN conference for the first time. Many new friendships were started and older ones strengthened. Thank you to Sergio and his family for organising the event. For those that helped and the support of the whole church which totally funded the event including all the meals.
Peter Wilks | 