A Step of Faith

The Lord has been laying something heavy on my heart in the last year or so - something that is totally new for me and us. It is something that will require us all to step out in faith and see what God will do.

For several years now, we have lived in a neighborhood of Freiburg called Rieselfeld. This place is fairly new - the oldest building was only finished in 1996/7 (in fact our building was one of the first finished). This neighborhood caters to families and children - it's probably the highest concentration of families in all Freiburg! There are currently about 8,000 people who live in this neighborhood, with still more apartments and houses being built weekly. The projected population will be around 13,000 people when it is built out - my guesstimate is that about half that number are kids and youth! And it's a very 'yuppy' neighborhood - the average adult age is probably mid-30's to mid-40's, families with 2.3 kids, 2 cars, 2 incomes, cat or dog or rabbit, etc. In fact, it is like its own little village, with its own shops and markets, banks, businesses, events, etc. It seems to have everyything - at least on the material level.

But on the spiritual level, it seems to be lacking greatly. For these 8,000 people or so, there are only two churches that try to minister to them - the local Catholic church and the local state (evangelical) church. They share a building (see photo to right) that makes me go hmmm. Yes, that is the finished product - looks like a concrete bunker. Now I have always wondered 'how many people do these 2 churches actually minister to - several hundred?' Even if we include other believers who live here and generously say 1,000 people (highly doubtful) know Jesus, there remains a question that has been burdening my heart lately - what about the other 7,000 people? Have they heard the Gospel? Do they know that God loves them? Do they know that they can have eternal life? Has anyone shared Jesus with them? In any case, we have built many relationships with people in this area - neighbors, parents at Kindergarten, others, etc. and many are so hungry for 'spiritual things'.

So God has placed upon our hearts to step out in faith and start a new work for the Lord here. I have shared with the elders in January of this year, the leaders in March and the whole church in June about us all taking this step of faith together - whether in prayer or active participation. Right now, we are seeking the Lord for more confirmation and also how to start, what to do, when to do it, etc. I have been praying about a combination of the principles of the 'organic/simple/house' church and the more conventional church. I don't have all the details but I know He wants us to step out in faith and trust Him to lead us. So pray with us, for us, for the people who live here, for God's leading through His Spirit and Word.

Here are a few passages that I believe are from the Lord and have ministered to me lately...

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand." Rom 15.20-21

...to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment. 2Cor 10.16

Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you-- the sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people. Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you." Isa 55.3-5